Whether you're planning on applying a light coat of foundation or a full face of makeup, primer is an important first step. Using primer under your makeup will make your look last longer.
First, primer goes on. Next, concealer is applied in order to cover flaws and discolorations. Then comes foundation, followed by loose powder in order to keep your makeup in place.
In the class of makeup best practices 101, makeup artists recommend applying eye makeup first before moving on to face makeup with foundation first and then (and only then) concealer.
First, apply foundation. You'll be surprised by how many blemishes will already look covered up. Then you can go on top of the foundation to conceal those that are still noticeable.
Never put concealer or foundation on your eyelids as a base, it will cause your eye makeup to crease.
Applying foundation first creates an even base to reduce overall redness, discoloration and minor blemishes. If you apply your concealer first, you may end up wiping some off when you apply foundation or using a lot more product than necessary, which can create a heavy, cakey look.
The Takeaway
While the majority of experts recommend applying a light layer of foundation before concealer, we admit there are instances where you benefit from a concealer first—if you're getting photographed, your concealer shade isn't the same as your foundation, and if you're color-correcting discoloration.
If you tend to have a heavy hand when applying face makeup, applying foundation after eye makeup will help with this issue. Having already done eyes will help you get a better feel of the overall look, allowing you to easily avoid going ham on the foundation and concealer.
Simply put, it's easier to clean up any eyeshadow fallout from bare skin as opposed to trying to do so without ruining your base makeup. “If it is an eye makeup look that I know will have fallout, then I do the eyes first.
Dab the foundation onto your face.
Using your fingers or the brush, dab the foundation all over your T-zone—your forehead, nose, and chin. Then, dab the foundation onto your cheeks. You can also apply foundation to other parts of your face that might need extra coverage, such as under your eyes or around your lips. 3.
The best place to test whether a foundation is a match for your skin is your neck or jawline. The right shade will seamlessly blend into your skin color and won't leave you looking ashy or ghastly. If it's leaving a whitish cast on your skin or if it's making you look darker, then it's the wrong shade.
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.
Fingers are best for a quick and natural application; sponges are good for achieving a flawless finish; and brushes are ideal for full coverage. And sometimes, a little mixing and matching can go a long way.
If you're looking for a lighter-weight alternative to foundation but don't want to rely on a tinted moisturizer or CC cream, we recommend using concealer alone. It's true, with the right long-wearing or hydrating concealer formula, you'll be able to cover imperfections, even out and keep your complexion looking fresh.
Experts weigh in on topics and give us answers to difficult questions like whether or not primer really matters and if you should really spend any time on contouring your nose. You shouldn't put foundation on your neck. Makeup artists also warn against going crazy with contouring.
Applying a foundation on the lips will help your lip colour stay in place and not smudge easily. Alternatively, if you are using a concealer on your skin, use it on your lips too. Using a foundation or concealer on your lips will ensure that the colour stays put for long and does not transfer.
"Apply makeup to your face based upon the thickness of the supporting tissue. This means the lightest and thinnest application of makeup should be where the skin itself is the thinnest—for example your forehead, around the eyes and bridge of the nose," says French.
Eyeliner application should happen after you put on eyeshadow to make the lines sharp and visible. Finally, apply a few coats of mascara to complete your eye makeup.
The general rule of thumb is that you should always opt for a shade lighter than foundation when choosing your concealer colour. Doing so helps to mask darker discolouration, but be careful not to over-correct! Knowing how to pick the right concealer is essential to ensuring that your look does not appear ghostly.