How To Apply Foundation the Right Way

The right foundation will even out your skin tone & give you the appearance of flawless skin. But you have to do it right, otherwise you risk looking like a ... clown. Follow these steps for a flawless complexion.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 2 minutes

Here's How:

• Begin with clean hands and a clean face
• Apply a moisturizing sunscreen that's perfect for your skin type. All foundations will go on more smoothly if the skin is well-hydrated.
• Let the moisturizer set for a few minutes.
• Wipe off any excess moisturizer with a tissue. Greasy skin will make the foundation slip and slide.
• Camouflage your dark, under-eye circles with a concealer.
• Using a makeup sponge or the tips of your fingers, apply dots of foundation on your cheeks, chin, forehead and tip of the nose.
• Using the sponge or your fingertips, blend the dots together. Pay special attention to your hairline and jawline to ensure there's no obvious line where the foundation abruptly stops.
• Set the foundation with loose powder immediately after application.

Tips:

• You don't have to put foundation all over your face. Try spot-fixes for those areas that need coverage (likely around your eyes & nose & on your chin).
• Don't want to go all out with a foundation? Tinted moisturizers may be all you need if your complexion is dewy, but you want a light, sheer wash to even out blotchiness. My favorite tinted moisturizer is by Bobbi Brown.
• The tips of your fingers work well, but I like to use a sponge. Make sure & wash out the sponge well so it doesn't start harboring all sorts of nasty bacteria. These Wonderpro sponges are cheap & work perfectly.