How To Apply Every Type Of Foundation

How to Prep for Foundation

Moisturize Your Skin

The key to a flawless base is well-prepped skin, so make sure your face is clean and prepped with your favorite moisturizer. We like a lightweight yet hydrating formula, like the Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream, which sinks in quickly and layers well under makeup. To help de-puff and cool down your under-eyes before makeup application, we love the NYX Professional Makeup Face Freezie Reusable Cooling Undereye Patches.

Apply a Primer

Makeup primers help extend the wear of your makeup and can make your skin look glowy, matte or blurred, depending on the formula you choose. For a glowy look, go for the Urban Decay All Nighter Ultra Glow Primer, but if you prefer a matte finish, try the L'Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Matte Setter.

Liquid Foundation

Coverage Level: Varies

Recommended Skin Type: All Skin Types

Best Application Method: Varies

How to Apply Liquid Foundation

Applying Liquid Foundation With a Foundation Brush

Using a tapered foundation brush, paint the liquid onto your face using short, downward strokes. Move the product from the center of the face outwards. Make sure you blend down to the top of the neck to avoid a line of demarcation along your jaw. Pat and blend to erase any telltale lines or creases. For an even more seamless finish, pat on top of the foundation with a damp sponge.

Applying Liquid Foundation With a Stippling Brush

A stippling brush will give you more full coverage than other kinds of foundation brushes. Use a stippling motion (or, gently pressing the brush all over your face rather than sweeping it across your skin) for a full-coverage, camera-ready finish.

Applying Liquid Foundation With a Sponge

Pour a small amount of foundation onto the back of your hand, then dot the product onto your face, starting where you want the most coverage (typically at the center). Then, take a damp makeup sponge and bounce it against your skin to evenly distribute and blend in the foundation. Use patting motions instead of dragging the sponge across the face — the latter will remove product and make the final results appear streaky.

Applying Liquid Foundation With Your Fingers

Some makeup artists swear that no method gives quite the same flawless finish as using your fingers. Squeeze the foundation onto the back of your hand and use your fingers to warm it up. Apply to your face using circular motions, taking care to blend and distribute evenly.

Our Favorite Liquid Foundations

Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation

If you want a matte, medium-to-full-coverage foundation, look no further than the Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation, an oil-free, affordable formula that lasts all day. It comes in 40 shades and contains oil-absorbing clay to keep your skin matte and smooth all day.