How To Apply Foundation: Your Flawless Canvas Guide

Written by Lopa KSep 08, 2023
How to Apply Foundation: Your Flawless Canvas Guide

Applying foundation is an art and like any masterpiece, it requires the right tools and techniques. Understanding your skin type, choosing the right shade and selecting the perfect application tool will set you on the path to a flawless canvas for your makeup creations. So, let's break down the essentials on how to apply foundation. 

How to Apply Foundation: Your Flawless Canvas Guide    

Understanding Your Skin  

Before we jump into how to apply foundation, let's address the critical importance of understanding your unique skin type. Knowing your skin type is like having a secret weapon in the world of makeup. Each skin type has its quirks and requirements when it comes to foundation.

how to apply foundation

Dry skin craves hydration and a foundation that won't emphasize flakiness. If you have dry skin, the Lakmé 9 to 5 Primer + Matte Perfect Cover Foundation Mini is your hydration hero. This foundation not only provides a flawless matte finish but also comes infused with a primer to keep your skin nourished and moisturised. It's a miniature powerhouse that combines coverage and hydration, leaving your skin looking smooth and radiant all day long. 

how to apply foundation

Oily skin demands mattifying formulas that control shine throughout the day. For those with oily skin, the Lakmé 9 to 5 Primer + Matte Powder Foundation is your go-to solution. This powder foundation is specially designed to control excess shine and deliver a matte, long-lasting finish. Its primer-infused formula ensures a smooth application, while the powder absorbs oil throughout the day, leaving your skin fresh and shine-free. 

how to apply foundation

Sensitive skin needs extra care and a gentle option that won’t clog pores, affect existing blackheads and pimples or cause more breakouts. For that extra TLC, the Lakmé Absolute Skin Dew Serum Foundation is a gentle and nurturing choice. This foundation is formulated with a serum-like texture that provides lightweight coverage, perfect for sensitive skin types. It not only offers a natural, dewy finish but also contains ingredients that soothe and protect your skin, making it a comfortable and calming option for those with sensitive skin. 

Selecting the Right Shade  

Now that you've determined your skin type, it's time to talk about finding the perfect shade. Imagine foundation as the artist's palette – the right shade seamlessly blends in with your skin tone while enhancing your natural beauty. 

It's not just about picking a shade that looks pretty in the bottle; it's about choosing one that matches your skin's undertone and hue. Skin undertone refers to the subtle hue beneath your skin's surface and it typically falls into three categories: cool, warm or neutral. 

To identify your undertone, look at the veins on the underside of your wrist or the back of your hand in natural light. If they appear more bluish or purplish, you likely have cool undertones. If they appear greenish, you probably have warm undertones. If you can’t figure out or they seem to have a mix of both, you may have neutral undertones. 

Once you've determined your undertone, choose a foundation with a matching undertone. Cool undertones pair well with foundations that have a pink or rosy hue, while warm undertones go hand in hand with foundations that have a yellow or golden tinge. For neutral undertones, just focus the intensity of your skin i.e., the lightness or darkness. 

Additionally, test the foundation shade along your jawline in natural light to ensure it seamlessly blends with your skin tone. 

how to apply foundation

Brushes: Foundation brushes are perfect for achieving a flawless, airbrushed finish. If you know how to apply foundation with a brush, they allow for precise application and blendability. 

Sponges: Beauty sponges, when dampened, create a natural and even finish. They're fantastic at blending and giving your skin a seamless, soft focus effect.  

Fingers: They provide warmth, which helps foundation meld into your skin and one way on how to apply foundation on dry skin. This method is excellent for a more natural look but may require a bit more practice for an even application. 

How to Apply Foundation 

Once you have prepped your face by cleansing, moisturising and applying primer, you can begin with foundation. 

how to apply foundation

Make sure you start with a small amount of foundation, dot it all over your face, blend and then gently tap it into your skin. Know how to apply foundation on face with fingers if you’re on the go and want a basic, quick makeup look. 

how to apply foundation

Stippling brush is a great tool to apply foundation—especially if it’s liquid. To know how to apply foundation with a brush, apply foundation to your face and use the stippling brush in light, circular motions to blend it evenly. Stippling brushes always come in duo-fibers that help give your foundation a smooth, even finish. 

Tip: If you have dry skin, avoid using a stippling brush as the top bristles moved in a circular motion will tend to micro-exfoliate your skin and might turn it flaky.

how to apply foundation

A damp beauty blender helps soak the foundation deep into your skin. The design of the beauty blender (shaped like an egg) helps the blending of the product into areas like the hairline, under the eyes, etc. extremely easy. So, how to apply foundation with a sponge? Make sure that you don’t drag the blender on your skin. Instead, gently bounce it off the skin making sure the product is buffed in nicely. 

how to apply foundation

Using a flat foundation brush, apply the foundation in downward strokes and evenly spread it on your face and neck. Next, use the same brush to tap the product yet again. Don’t skip the tapping step as it helps the foundation seep into your skin and pores, and that is how to apply foundation with a brush. 

how to apply foundation

If you have a foundation that offers extremely high coverage and wish to go for more of a natural look, use a powder brush for application. Dot the foundation on the areas of your skin you think need coverage (remember that a little goes a long way) and use the powder brush in gentle downward strokes. This will give you extremely sheer coverage—almost like you used a tinted moisturiser. Learning how to apply foundation with a brush this way will also help avoid any cakey finish whatsoever. 

how to apply foundation

You may have noticed that many powders and compacts come with their own flat sponge or puff. Well, that’s where half the battle is won already. Avoid sweeping it over your face as the powder may not glide on evenly, especially if you have heavily textured skin. You can also slightly dampen the sponge or puff to get a sheer finish, but be sure to dry it before placing it back in the compact. To actually apply, dab the sponge/puff in small movements around your face. 

FAQs about Applying Foundation  

Q1. Can Indians use liquid foundation? 

Yes, absolutely! When we say liquid foundation, we don’t mean those thick, creamy, pore-blocking foundations of yore. Thanks to the constant advancement in technology and makeup, liquid foundations nowadays are usually weightless, non-greasy and give a natural, seamless finish. No matter what weather you are in or how sweaty you get, liquid foundations like the Lakmé 9 to 5 Primer + Matte Perfect Cover Foundation Mini will never break your trust.  

Q2. Can I skip concealer? 

Honestly, it depends on the look you are going for, the coverage of your foundation and your skin concerns. If you have no dark spots or dark circles, you can easily skip concealer and just apply foundation.   

Q3. Does foundation go before or after concealer? 

Usually, it goes before the concealer but beauty gurus have noticed that different results are visible with different layering. If you want a lift near the eyes or cheeks, you can apply the concealer before the foundation.  

Lopa K

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