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Foundation is a priceless makeup product that can take your skin from pretty to flawless in seconds. But it isn’t enough to find your perfect foundation shade match — application techniques are just as important in achieving a gorgeous canvas. If you are applying foundation directly on bare, clean skin you are skipping one crucial step that can make all the difference: primer.
After you have cleansed, toned, and moisturized your face, you will likely be left with dewy, slightly sticky skin. If you slather a layer of foundation directly on top of moisturized skin without first applying an in-between barrier like primer, you run the risk of having it slip and slide all over your skin. You’ll spend longer than necessary blending it in, and when you finally do, you may find it doing a less than stellar job at covering up fine lines and blemishes. The problem is: you may be expecting miracles from foundation and relying on it to do the work of other products.
A better way to think about foundation is as one important makeup tool — but not the only tool — needed to get clearer-looking skin. After you’ve cleansed and moisturized, pat down your skin with blotting paper and then assess its needs for that day. If you woke up slightly red, consider dabbing a product like IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Correcting Créme ($32) on irritated spots. Play with a color correcting palette by NYX ($12), which features six shades of concealer that can address everything from sallowness to dark undereye circles. After you’ve addressed these skin issues, always apply a primer (Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer ($31) is fantastic) that feels like a silky balm, minimizes the appearance of pores, and provides a perfectly smooth canvas upon which your foundation will then glide on.
A minute or two spent prepping the skin before foundation will make a huge difference in your skin’s appearance.
For more makeup tips, check out The best beauty buys from Etsy and The 6 best beauty reward programs for people who buy a lot of makeup
[Photo: In the Frow]
