Chinchilla says the only way to apply setting powder is to press it into your skin while your foundation is still wet. "You should press powder onto your skin with a flat-shaped brush or powder puff," he says. "Pressing it on will prevent the foundation from moving around or streaking in the process.
Don't Paint, Buff. No matter what tool you're using—a foundation brush, a BeautyBlender, or your fingers—buff (or bounce, if you're using a sponge) the foundation into your skin as opposed to “painting” it on to build coverage smoothly and avoid streakiness, says Park.
Take the time to prime.
A primer may add an additional step to your makeup routine, but it will go a long way to ensure that your foundation looks flawless because it turns your skin into a perfectly smooth surface.
A brush or sponge can be used to apply powder foundation, though brushes are generally preferred. Brushes will give a more natural and buildable coverage, whereas sponges can tend to deposit too much product onto the skin and give a cakey finish.
The first step is wetting your sponge. You should never use a makeup sponge dry to apply foundation, especially if it's a beautyblender, says Bartlett. She recommends squishing it under water about eight times until it's fully saturated. Then, wring out the excess water.
Yes, many professional makeup artists and beauty gurus swear by applying liquid foundation with their fingers. This tactile approach provides a skin-like, natural makeup result since you're massaging the makeup onto your skin. Using your fingers works on all skin types and with both cream and liquid foundation.
Uneven skin texture can come in many forms, from under-the-skin bumps, to large, visible pores, or fine lines and wrinkles, all of which can contribute to foundation not sitting smoothly on the skin.
“Textured or rough skin can cause patchy foundation as the product will settle in and emphasize any skin texture. It's best to gently exfoliate with a chemical exfoliant before the application to remove dead skin,” says Alex. A good rule of thumb is to use an exfoliant 2x a week.
The main reason why your foundation looks grey on your skin is because of the foundation shade you are using. If you pick a shade that is much lighter than your skin tone without having the same undertone, this will make your skin look dull and grey after application.
A thick layer of makeup is more prone to sliding off your face throughout the day because it just can't adhere as well to skin. If you have oily skin, try an absorbent mattifying foundation primer before you apply your sunscreen and foundation.
Foundations are meant to make skin even and either luminous or matte, depending on skin type, and both of these formulas will do nothing to help you under your eyes. While it doesn't hurt to put foundation under your eyes, it certainly doesn't help. Skip this move and only add concealer and/or corrector under the eyes.
Never put concealer or foundation on your eyelids as a base, it will cause your eye makeup to crease.
Do I apply concealer before or after foundation? Always apply your foundation first, unless you are using a powder foundation. Applying foundation first creates an even base to reduce overall redness, discoloration and minor blemishes.
Dehydrated or dry skin can cause makeup to clump and cling into dry patches. Your face can look like it's peeling when you put on foundation. Oily skin can also cause makeup to split on the face. Following an appropriate skin care routine and preparing your skin before makeup application is an essential step.
Makeup can end up moving for many reasons. For example, if you have oily skin, your foundation might slide off during the day because of the excess oils your skin produces. Your makeup will look so shiny, and it will be more prone to transferring.