“Foundation should unify tone, but it shouldn’t take away the individuality of the skin.”

~François Nars

 

So today we’ll be talking about the different ways and methods in which you can apply your makeup base or foundation. Now we are all going to have our favourite method to apply base makeup, but I’m going to try and cover more than just my favourite in this article.

In my opinion there is no right or wrong way to apply foundation and it’s more about your personal preference, foundation choice (texture you use) and your skin type. For me personally, foundation application or base makeup is the most ‘essential’ part of makeup and must always be flawless, light and most importantly natural. I hope you’ll agree with me when I say that one of the biggest mistakes you can make with makeup is apply a base that looks like a mask rather than your skin and the most beautiful makeup trick is when you get a flawless ‘no-makeup’ makeup look!

So let’s talk about the different methods to get that perfect foundation application and also look at what option is best for your skin type:

 

Using Your Fingers

 

The oldest, cheapest, most basic and probably the most commonly used method to apply foundation is to use your fingers. There is absolutely nothing wrong with applying base using your fingers….after all it’s the best makeup tool God has gifted us with!

Apply the foundation to the face in dots and work your way around the face. Personally, I prefer to use very little to begin with and work from the center of the face and outwards towards the edges. The reason I work outwards is because it gives a more natural and sheer coverage as it minimises the redness around the nose and mouth and blends towards the edges of the face & hairline giving a sheer makeup effect as there’s barely any product sitting on the skin.

One of the reasons this method will work for everyone and every skin type is that the warmth of the fingers will help to blend the product into the skin smoothly without you having to pull or tug at your skin to drag the product around. This means it is a great method to use even for those with dry skin…just make sure you prep your skin properly before-hand.

 

 

Using a Makeup Brush

 

Perhaps the most talked-about way to apply foundation, using a makeup brush is definitely one of my favourite ways to apply my base makeup. Now there are various kinds of brushes you can use to apply your foundation, so let’s take a quick glance at each:

 

Standard Paddle Brush

 

This type of foundation brushes have been around for ages and are great for applying liquid foundation, bb creams and tinted moisturisers. The paddle type head on this brush makes it very easy to reach the ‘hard-to-get’ areas around the face like around the nose. The only drawback I can think of with these brushes is that they are usually small in size and it takes me forever to apply product evenly with them.

For those with dry skin- once again this a good way to apply base as you will not be irritating your skin too much. Just place the product onto the skin and move in downward strokes.

 

Stippling Brush

 

This kind of brush is great for getting an airbrushed finish while applying foundation. These duo-fibre brushes are designed to give you a sheer coverage as they pick up minimal product. Just remember that you are to move the bristles only and not apply too much pressure on the brush while you buff product into your skin as that will cause the bristles on the brush to collapse.

I would not recommend you use this method if you’ve got very dry skin as it can cause micro-exfoliation.

 

Flat-top Kabuki and Buffing Brushes

 

My absolute favourite (thanks to the Sigma F80) way to apply foundation, it is also, in my opinion the easiest and quickest method. Now when you’re using a flat head kabuki brush or a buffing brush you need to move the brush in circular motions again to buff product into the skin.

One of the best things about these kinds of brushes is that it gives you a full coverage application but at the same time really pushes the product into the skin, which is FANTASTIC for those who have large pores. How!? Well, all you need to do is use the brush in a buffing motion (move the brush around in a circle and then reverse and go back in the opposite direction) where you have large pores and that will push the foundation into the pores filling them out. Not to forget, these brushes are also great for applying powder foundations.

 

 

Using a Sponge

Using a damp sponge is a great way to apply foundation because it gives you more control and helps you get a very sheer coverage to begin with. Remember, you must always use a ‘damp’ sponge – so hold it under running water and then squeeze out all excess water before using it.

You can also take a full coverage foundation and turn that into a sheer coverage foundation by simply using a damp sponge for application! This method again is great for those with dry skin and sensitive skin as it will not disturb or anger your skin. Just place the product onto the skin and move in downward strokes.

If you get any streaky areas or patches, take the sponge and just pat and press to even it out.

 

 

Using a Beauty Blender

 

Beauty blenders are an absolute craze right now and used more and more by people every day. These work the same way a damp sponge would. So place the sponge under running water and soak it and then squeeze out the excess water before you use it for applying foundation.

A beauty blender has a very unique shape and texture- it is rounded at the bottom and becomes narrower as you go up to the tip.

A beauty blender also expands in size when wet and becomes almost the double of what it is when dry. To use it correctly, bounce and gently tap the beauty blender all over the skin instead of moving it in any direction like we did with the brushes or damp sponge.

The secret of the beauty blender, and perhaps the reason it’s so popular, lies in its shape! While the rounded bottom shape is ideal to cover the cheek area, chin and forehead, the pointed tip is perfect for reaching the difficult areas on the face like under the eyes, around the nose and mouth.

So those were a few methods to apply foundation…once again- there is no right or wrong way, so feel free to test each one out and then decide which method suits you the best.

Another thing I’d like to mention is that try to start with a little bit and then build on if you feel the need to….because it’s always easier to add more on later than it is to take away from the face when you’re applying your makeup. Also, if you’re someone who feels that your foundation is visible around the hairline or around the brows, use the edge of a damp sponge to clean the area or if you’re using a brush- move in downward strokes instead of buffing motions and you’ll never have foundation visible around the edges of your face!