How to Apply Liquid Foundation Flawlessly

Color matching liquid foundation to your skin tone is the secret to a flawless finish. Never match foundation color by applying to your hands. The skin color on your hands will be different from your neck and face. Professional makeup artists and in-store beauty consultants always match foundation by applying short streaks of the product on a woman's cheek.

Pick the lightest foundation color possible for a flawless look. A dark color will cover imperfections, but show a significant difference from your natural color. Layering lighter shades of foundation creates full coverage while keeping skin toned and fresh.

Prepare your skin by cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing with your favorite beauty products. No foundation will appear flawless on bad, clogged or dry skin. Apply a foundation primer, such as Revlon's Beyond Natural Smoothing Primer Base or L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Paste. Foundation primers minimize pores and allow liquid foundation to glide over skin.

Items you will need to create a flawless foundation look are a bottle of liquid foundation (your favorite brand) and a wedge-shaped foundation sponge. Purchase an inexpensive bag of sponge applicators, as you never want to reuse a dirty sponge on your beautiful face. Avoid applying makeup with your fingertips for the same reason, as fingers spread oils and bacteria.

Dampen a foundation sponge. Squeeze out excess water, you only want it to be damp to the touch and not wet on your face.

Apply a dollop of foundation to the back of your hand and spread it around with a finger. Dab a small amount of foundation to the wedge applicator. Work in layers to create coverage that make you comfortable. Overwhelming skin with a thick layer of foundation will have a clown makeup effect.

Start by applying liquid foundation to your nose. Apply foundation to the center of your face and work your way outwards towards your hairline. Work the sponge outwards rather than pulling skin down. Watch how much pressure you apply to skin. The skin around your eyes and lips is sensitive; you do not want to cause foundation streaks or skin problems.

I dab small amounts of foundation to my forehead and skin with a sponge. Then I work on blending and moving the foundation away from the center of my face.

Paying close attention to your jaw line is important for a flawless foundation look. Not blending or streaking shows on the jaw line, more than it does anywhere else on your face. This particular area of the face is why color matching is so important. A significant difference in foundation color shade and natural skin color shows on the jaw line. You do not want to have an orange makeup face and natural olive skin tone.

Blend foundation along the jaw line and half way down your neck if necessary. Check your foundation in natural, daylight and fluorescent light if possible. Examine your jaw line and blending technique. Do you see a color difference? Touch up the jaw line with a dry foundation sponge. Blot until foundation lines are blended.

Touch up the skin along your hairline. Liquid foundation will cake and flake along hairline but it will also collect in clumps. As the clumps build up so will a color difference. Touch the skin with a dry foundation sponge. Dab your skin until excess foundation along your hairline disappears.

Blotting papers an inexpensive little beauty products ideal for flawless foundation finishes. Liquid foundation will appear oily on some skin types. Pressing the skin gently along your nose, cheeks and forehead with a blotting paper will remove shine and oils, while leaving behind flawless coverage. Never rub your face with a blotting paper that will damage your skin and makeup application.

Liquid foundation is just the start to flawless skin appearance. Finish off your look by adding a touch of concealer to spots requiring additional coverage. Apply a light blush to cheeks or use a complimenting face highlighter palette for a rosy glow. Flawless foundation requires natural colors and layering, which also means that in terms of makeup application less is more.

Sources:
Personal Experience