You'll see it everywhere online. On Instagram, on Facebook, on YouTube, gorgeous ladies and sometimes men in the industry applying their foundation so flawlessly. It's like heaven beamed a light directly on their perfectly sculpted faces and it gets me thinking how it happens, how it all works, and what kind of products they use to achieve that amazing skin!?! To me, it's all about application. You could spend $100 on a foundation, but if it doesn't match, is the wrong consistency, the best products can go wrong too. Here's how to avoid 3 common mistakes in applying foundation.
I've discussed how to set up your skin right by making sure you have a smooth, moisturised canvas by using a good skincare routine and now I am here to tell you how to get started on that makeup application. So now, you got a clean face, a moisturised face, now what? Let's get crackin'!
1. Applying foundation with the right tools.
Applying with a brush is a goof-proof way to apply foundation and it's my personal favourite way to go. With the whole Beauty Blender trend, I find that sponges absorb (duh) a lot of product and unfortunately all that money I spend on good product goes to waste. So, no, ain't nobody got time for that!
Whether it's with a flat, paddle foundation brush or a stippling brush, a brush helps distribute product evenly across surface. For clients with normal to dry skin, I love using the Real Techniques Stippling Foundation brush ($10 at Target). I dab foundation on 5 areas of the face: (forehead; nose; left cheek; right cheek; and chin) and blend in a circular motion region by region. I then add on more foundation as necessary, slowly adding in thin layers so that the overall effect is blended seamlessly.
For sensitive skin and/or acne-prone skin, I like to use the paddle foundation brush. The main reason being avoidant of causing any irritation. The less contact with sensitive skin, the better. By this method, applying foundation in a smooth movement helps tremendously in sensitive skin types.
Here's the Real Technique's Stippling Foundation Brush which I LOOOOOOOOVEEEE! And it's super friendly to the wallet at $10!!!
Here is the Sigma Paddle Foundation Brush and what I personally use everyday! Great price too at $15.40 on Amazon.
2. Using a sponge to blend.
Here's my thoughts on makeup sponges... I absolutely can not blend without them! I don't use them to apply foundation but you bet your sweet face I use the hell out of them to blend. Once foundation is applied on the face, there's no way a brush can blend like a sponge can. In fact, I typically use at least 2 beauty blenders per client; one damp; one dry; all for 2 different reasons.
Damp sponges work best immediately following foundation application. By pressing a damp (not wet, or dripping in any fashion) sponge lightly onto the face, I ensure that any residual makeup that sits on top of skin blends in, which is the look we all want to achieve, amirite?
Dry sponges are great for blending in any loose powder. I often, if not everytime, use a translucent powder to finish off a look, which I'd apply with a puffy brush using circular motions, but I'd also use a dry sponge to seal in the finishing powder and picking up any excess that may be sitting atop of the skin. You can also use a dry sponge and spritz a little setting spray and to cement that work you just put in for an all-day wear.
I use these sponges by Sephora for clients (I love how many edges this sponge has) and for myself too! It comes with an awesome little travel case so it's great on the go! Buy for $14 at Sephora.
3. Using the right shade.
The most obvious of how to make for a flawless makeup application, I have saved for last. It's a question I get the most from clients: How to find the right shade of foundation. It happens, A. LOT. This is really where it all matters. You can have the right tool, you can have the right sponge technique to blend, but if it isn't your right shade, it just ain't gonna work gurrrrl.
For me, my shade changes throughout the year, all pending on how much sun, or how much sun I'm not getting. Sometimes I'm a natural beige and sometimes I'm a medium beige, it all depends on what's happening and what time of year it is. And the truth is, with all the shade ranges available, sometimes picking 1 shade may be the problem. Sometimes a client may be a blend of 2 0r 3. The best advice I can give is if you found a shade in a foundation that you love, that you can't part with, there is another option then buying more foundation... and that is....
Lightner and Darkner drops! I use them ALL. THE. TIME! One of my personal go-to foundations is Tarte Cosmetic's Amazonian Clay foundation but there are times when I am a little lighter than normal (especially since the season is about to change and I'll be outdoors a lot less). Instead of buying another foundation when I have practically a full tube left of foundation, I add the lighter drops and there you have it! A whole new shade just as I need it!
I love The Body Shop Shade Adjusting Drops! They go for $14 on their website.
If you have any questions about this post or have some questions of your own, please send me a message and let me know! I'd love to hear from you!
In my next post, I'll be talking about contouring and how to achieve a natural chiseled look!
