The art to a flawless-looking make-up finish is understanding how to apply foundation evenly and smoothly, hiding your imperfections while celebrating the uniqueness of your skin.
The secret to getting it right lies in correctly prepping the skin and finding the foundation application tool that best complements your skin type and desired finish.
Step 1: Cleanse without drying out the skin
To get the most out of foundation, it’s important to start with the best canvas. Cleansers help to dissolve impurities and minimize the appearance of pores, creating a smooth base over which to apply foundation.
Try No7 Restore and Renew Cleansing Lotion. Supercharged with antioxidants and natural AHAs, it helps to gently exfoliate the skin and reduce the appearance of pores, creating a clean, smooth base.
Step 2: Hydrate with serum and moisturizer
While foundation can enhance the skin’s best qualities, it can also emphasize concerns like dry skin, fine lines or blemishes. Keeping skin hydrated will ensure a more comfortable fit for your foundation.
Serums and moisturizers help to hydrate and plump the skin, preventing make-up from settling into fines lines or caking on the face. Find the best serum and moisturizer for your skin below:
How to Find the Best Moisturizer
Discover the best face moisturizer for your skin type and concerns.
Step 3: Prep with primer
Primer gives foundation its staying power. Not only does it help to smooth the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores, but it forms a barrier over the skin to prevent foundation from slipping.
- For dry or normal skin, try No7 Airbrush Away Primer. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid to keep skin looking hydrated and help minimize the appearance of pores.
- For oily or combination skin types with larger pores, opt for theNo7 Airbrush Away Pore Minimizing Primer.
- No7 Airbrush Away Radiance Boosting Primer is perfect for dull skin, thanks to its skin-perfecting and light-diffusing properties.
Step 4: Apply the foundation
How to apply foundation with a brush
Perfect for medium coverage, makeup brushes distribute foundation evenly for a natural-looking finish. The No7 Foundation Brush is ideal for both powder and liquid foundation.
- Dispense a pump of foundation onto a palette or the back of the hands
- Use a flat brush to smooth the foundation over the skin, working from the larger areas (cheeks, forehead and neck) towards the smaller areas (nose, chin and lips)
- Blend into the skin with a blender brush
How to apply foundation with a sponge
Ideal for liquid foundation, makeup sponges provide a high-coverage finish that lasts all day.
- Dispense one pump of liquid foundation onto a palette or the back of the hands
- Dampen the makeup sponge, then dip the pointed end into the foundation
- Dab the sponge across the face, working from the neck, forehead and cheeks inwards towards the chin and nose
- Use the wider end of the sponge to blend foundation
How to apply liquid foundation with fingers
Fingers are best for light coverage, helping to warm the foundation and blend it seamlessly into the skin.
- Wash the hands
- Place a small amount of foundation on a palette or the back of the hand
- Using the index finger, dot the foundation on the nose, chin, forehead, and cheeks
- Use circular patting motions to blend foundation
Step 5: Set the foundation
To help keep the foundation in place for longer, sweep a light layer of setting powder onto the skin using a powder brush. Focus on the areas most prone to oiliness and shine, including the forehead, nose and chin.
No7 Lift & Luminate Powder is the perfect finishing powder. Available in a wide range of shades, it’s designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores for visibly smoother-looking skin.
Now that you know how to apply foundation, it’s time to find your perfect shade.
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