How To Apply Foundation
When applying your foundation, you want the end result to be people saying, "Wow, your skin looks amazing. What are you doing?" not, “I love your foundation. What are you using?" This applies to all ages, but especially to those of us with mature skin who find it hard to apply foundation so it looks as natural as possible.
How to Apply Foundation for Mature Skin
First, you need to start with a hydrated base! Skincare is a huge element in how well your makeup applies, looks, and lasts, so focusing on getting a good skincare routine in place is key. I would recommend you cleanse your skin twice a day, ensuring you are removing your makeup at night and using a hydrating serum and/or a vitamin C serum in the morning prior to any moisturising. You then want to focus on finding a moisturiser your skin loves and really massaging it into your skin. You want to avoid smearing your moisturiser on quickly; really work the product into the skin to get a well-hydrated base. Leave for a good 5 minutes to allow the product to sink into the skin. Your face should feel soft, supple, and quenched, but not too slippery and wet when applying your foundation.
Now we can look at the best way to apply your foundation.
Colour matching is key for everyone; generally speaking, I like to match the foundation to the body, so the best way to get your colour is to swipe a small amount onto your collarbone, and if you see the foundation disappear with ease, you have the right match. For mature skin where you feel you are starting to look a little sallower or paler than you used to be, you want to go a little warmer with your foundation to give your skin some life.
For clients, I always opt for a liquid foundation; this is much easier to manipulate on the skin. If you have been using powder foundations, you will need to trust me and move away from this type of formulation, which can look drying and ageing on the skin.
What is the best way to apply foundation?
Brush, sponge, or fingers?
There are no “rules” when it comes to choosing your preferred method of applying foundation, but personally, I feel a brush is the best way to create a natural look by pushing the foundation into the skin so it looks more seamless. If you opt for a sponge, it will need to be used damp, but bear in mind that a sponge will create a more sheer look to your foundation. Fingers are OK as long as you are thinking about the blending aspect. You do not want to treat your foundation mentally like a moisturiser and smear it on quickly; you want to really massage it into the skin, put on small amounts at a time, and build up the coverage.
Step 1: Assuming you are opting for a brush, if your foundation has a pump, you will only want a maximum of 1.5 pumps of product; any more will be too much, and you will feel tempted to use it all up. Big mistake: this will end up looking heavy and cakey on the skin, so you need to think “less is more."
Step 2: Dip your brush lightly into the foundation; you only want a very small amount of product.
Step 3: Apply in thin layers, starting in the centre of your face and working your way out to the perimeter of the face. Avoid the undereyes, as you will only want to apply concealer here; foundation plus concealer under the eyes will be too much product and will look heavy and cakey. Keeping the application in a thin layer will help with the foundation not gathering so much into your lines. Overall, you will only want to build up 2–3 layers very lightly.
Step 4: When applying the foundation, you want to put firm pressure on the brush and gently sweep it out. The pressure will help the foundation become part of the skin and look more natural. Ensure you bring the product under your jawline and part way down the neck.
How To Put On Foundation
I have three different brush styles that I highly recommend and use in my kit for clients all the time. The first one is the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, which is a lovely, firm brush that is not too large on the surface but works wonders at pushing the foundation into the skin with ease once you get the pressure right.
The second brush I love is the Nanshy Flawless Foundation Brush, which I find gives a flawless and smooth finish. You just have to be mindful that the brush head is quite large so as not to pick up too much foundation.
The final brush I love is not actually a foundation brush; it is a “setting brush” normally used for small quantities of powder. Let me introduce you to the Real Techniques Setting Brush. The brush is designed for powder, so it is a lot more flexible with the bristles, but I like to use it to take a small amount of foundation and lightly swipe it across the face with little pressure and buff the product into the skin. Using a light hand and minimal product creates an even skin tone and flawless finish. This is a great brush, but one you have to play with a few times to get the right knack and application.
Makeup Tips for Foundation
Apply a lot less foundation than you would normally think to. 1–1.5 pumps of foundation will be more than enough.
Apply in thin layers, ensuring each layer is blended well into your skin before going to the next layer.
Spend more time blending the foundation into the skin; the more you blend, the better the final result will be.
If you feel like you need a little more coverage in certain areas, pat the brush onto the skin, and it will build the coverage.
Avoid the undereyes, as this will look heavy, especially when also using concealer.
Clean your brush every two weeks; residue foundation will leave streaks and interfere with how your foundation applies and looks.
If opting for a sponge, use warm, soapy water to clean your sponge every 3 applications.
Also, when using a sponge, replace it every 3 months; no matter how well you clean it, there will be bacteria still inside.
Apply your foundation along your jawline and down the neck.
Colour-match your foundation shade to your body.
Further Helpful Reading;
If you would like to explore further how to apply your foundation, and/or your makeup as a whole, please do get in touch below if you would like to book a makeup lesson.
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Let me introduce myself!
I am Nicola! I started my business with one goal in mind, to help other women feel good about themselves and confident in their skin.
I have always been a firm believer that you should not hide your natural beauty. Makeup should be used to enhance what you have and the features you love. You will find me creating beautiful looks for brides to be and providing one-on-one makeup lessons.
My signature style is natural, healthy-looking skin.
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