8 Foundation Hacks Every Girl Should Know for Flawless Skin
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Foundation is the most important part of any makeup regimen. It is the base upon which the rest of your makeup rests. Some people make the act of applying foundation look super easy, but finding the right foundation comes after a fair bit of experimentation.
Not choosing the right foundation for you can make or break your makeup look. From cakey formulas to the wrong shades, there are a number of things that can go wrong when it comes to foundations.
Preferably, we want our foundation to act like a second skin and give us that natural-looking glow.
Here are a few makeup and foundation hacks every girl should know for flawless, smooth, and younger-looking skin.
Always Moisturize
The journey to every flawless makeup look starts with a good hydrating moisturizer.
Moisturizing your skin keeps it looking healthy and fresh. Applying the right moisturizer also stops your makeup from looking cakey.
Always start with a moisturizer that sits well on your skin. If you have oily skin, look for a formula made for oily skin specifically. Likewise, if you have dry skin, look for a moisturizer that illuminates your skin and alleviates the dryness.
It is important to moisturize not just your face but also your neck for a brightened and even-toned skin.
You could try this Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream that has done wonders for me. It is however a bit expensive but absolutely worth it.
Prime Your Skin
Another important pre-foundation step is to apply a good primer, like this one.
Primers blur the pores on your face resulting in smoother-looking skin. This is especially necessary for people with dryer or mature skin.
Primer not only helps you accomplish an airbrushed finish, it also aids in the longevity of your makeup.
Skipping primer can really take your makeup game down a notch. You will end up with oily and cakey-looking makeup within a couple of hours while constantly needing touch-ups to add to the frustration.
Find the Right Shade
One of the most important factors when it comes to a good foundation routine is to find the right shade for your skin tone. Ideally, you want your foundation to look as natural as possible. Finding the right shade that matches the skin on your neck as well as your chest is going to make your foundation look seamless.
Another tip is to find your undertone. There are three main undertones: cool, neutral, and warm. Determine which one yours is and find a foundation according to that.
If you fail to find a shade in a foundation that you love, buy a color that is one shade lighter than your skin tone and one that is one shade darker. Then combine the two foundations before application and you are good to go.
Ask for a Tester
So, you've read the label on the foundation and figured out what type of skin it is meant for.
But that is not enough.
Even if a foundation claims to be made specifically for your skin type, some formulas just do not sit well on our skin.
We all have different skin types, and just because a formula is curated for a specific skin type does not mean that it is sure to sit well with your skin.
Before buying a product, always ask for a tester. By using a tester, it gives you a chance to try that product out on your skin for a few days before making the long-term commitment of buying it.
Makeup is expensive and the last thing you want is to waste your money on products that don’t suit your skin.
Pick Foundations with a Lightweight Formula
If you are someone with dry or mature skin, avoid heavyweight foundation formulas like the plague.
Foundations made with a thick and heavy formula tend to exaggerate fine lines and wrinkles. More often than not, they leave you with a cakey finish regardless of your skin type. They can be difficult to work with and are not buildable.
Most full coverage foundations tend to be heavily formulated.
Instead, reach for a lightweight formula that won't look cakey even if you build it up to get your desired coverage. Foundations offering a sheer to medium coverage along with being water-based leave your skin looking hydrated and healthy.
Use Concealer for More Coverage
As we go through the process of applying makeup, it can seem a little tempting to cover more and more of the imperfections on our skin.
A lot of people apply multiple layers of their foundation to achieve more coverage. This can unnecessarily cake up your makeup look instead of making you look natural.
A good practice is to use concealer on any areas that you feel may need coverage, instead of putting on more foundation. Concealers, like this one are very good at hiding spots and blemishes while still keeping our makeup looking radiant and smooth.
Apply Using Your Hands
If you have ever put your foundation on with a brush, you may agree it feels like sitting on top of your skin, waiting to budge. Contrarily, if you have used a sponge, it may have felt like more than half of the product was soaked up by your sponge and you ended up with less than what you signed up for.
Thus, the best tool you can use to apply foundation to your face is your own two hands.
Using your hands also warms the foundation which helps it blend in seamlessly and give you a naturally glowing finish.
Don't Overlook the Setting Spray
An extra hydration boost to the skin never hurt anyone.
Setting sprays come for all types of skin and cater to your skin's specific needs.
If you are someone with oily skin, a setting spray would control that oiliness for you.
If you have dry skin, it is going to give you that extra boost of hydration and glow.
One of the more popular one is this one from Nyx Professional Makeup.
Setting sprays add that extra oomph to your makeup by upping your glow-game. They are designed to keep your product locked in for as long as it possibly can, all day. Thus, do not overlook your setting spray.