How To Apply Foundation Like A Makeup Artist + Find Your Next Holy Grail Product

Foundation is arguably one of the most personal items in the makeup bag. Depending on your skin type, coverage goals, and ideal finish, what foundation you swear by likely won't be the same as your neighbor's, best friend's, or family's. 

And while foundation can be a useful tool, it's important to remember this product is meant to make you feel better in your skin—not hide it completely or make you feel more insecure than before. 

Unlike products like mascara, which has a fairly universal application process, foundation can be used in countless ways. Even if you take the same exact product, each method will reap a slightly different look. 

Whether you're going for full coverage or barely there makeup, skin care prep is an essential step. After cleansing your face, you should at least use a moisturizer before going in with any makeup products, Patinkin says. 

While some people won't even let a tinted sunscreen hit their skin without primer, others prefer to skip this step entirely. How you decide to prime your skin is completely up to you and the finish you want. 

Now that your skin is prepped and primed, it's time to select your foundation. There are six basic types of foundations, Patinkin says, and each one offers different results in terms of coverage. However, each product also varies with the finish—think dewy, matte, natural, etc. 

First, you want to know what finish you want, and then keep an eye out for the type of product that can help you achieve your coverage goals. In general, powder formulas will offer a mattifying effect, while liquid formulas can be dewy or matte. 

If you have combination skin (i.e., get oily in the T-zone and dry in other places), then you might consider using two different types of foundation. For example, you can go over the dry spots of your face with a tinted SPF or liquid foundation and use a pressed powder on your T-zone to minimize shine. 

The most popular of the bunch for everyday wear is liquid foundation. "Liquid has a lot of versatility," celebrity and editorial makeup artist Delina Medhin tells mbg. "You can make it really thin so it's almost like a tinted moisturizer," she adds. 

From brushes to sponges to the low-lift finger-painting technique, there's more than one way to get your foundation from the bottle to your skin. As a general guideline, "If you want a lot of coverage, I think putting the foundation directly on the face is helpful, but if you want light or medium coverage, I think putting your foundation on your hand first and picking it up with a brush is the way to go," Medhin says. 

So, if you're using a product like a tinted SPF but you want it to mask as more coverage, apply it straight to the skin. If you're using a full-coverage foundation but want to nail a no-makeup makeup look, then apply the product to a blending tool first. 

When you start, you'll want to begin with a thin layer. This will help even out your skin tone and gauge how much more coverage you need and in what areas. Try to keep the foundation out of the eyebrows and the under eyes (the latter if you plan on using concealer after). 

Let your makeup set for a minute or two and see how you feel. "I think that's always super helpful because a lot of foundations will oxidize and/or self-set," Medhin says. Translation: The color and finish may look different after a minute or two. 

As a general rule, applying concealer after foundation will help you avoid a cakey finish. See, if you apply concealer before your foundation, you'll end up wiping the product around and then needing to go in again afterward. 

For covering breakouts, you may opt for concealer instead. So, don't worry if your acne is coming through your foundation base, as concealer formulas tend to be higher coverage and easier to use for masking breakouts. 

You don't have to use a setting powder for everyday makeup if you don't want to. Depending on the finish you want, you can decide to use setting powder or setting spray. If you're prone to under-eye creasing or slippery makeup, then powder might be for you. 

"It's also helpful to remember that powder products blend better on top of powder and cream products work best with other cream products," Patinkin adds.