I was once an inexperienced yet passionate makeup newbie. I would order all kinds of makeup with the little babysitting money I had in order to test out different textures, finishes, and formulas. One of the very first products I ever delved into was foundation—namely cream and mousse foundations. I found these to be super simple and approachable. I would deposit some onto the back of my hand before picking it up and dabbing it onto my skin with my fingers anywhere I needed a little coverage. Like I said, it was simple. The same went for powder foundation. I would use one of the few brushes I had (or the sponge that came included in the compact) and swipe it over my T-zone, blending out toward the perimeter of my face.
Liquid foundation, however, was a little bit harder to deal with. Blame it on my lack of beauty knowledge, but I honestly couldn't make it work for my skin. No matter if I applied it with my fingers or a brush, it would look visible and streaky on my skin. Nowadays, I know this isn't an experience that's unique to me. In fact, after taking an informal poll of family and friends, it seems that liquid foundation is the most finicky of all foundation textures. Keep scrolling to see makeup artist Matin's tutorial for applying liquid foundation.
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Click Play to Watch MUA Matin's Liquid Foundation Tutorial
Meet the Expert
How to Apply Foundation with a Sponge
When it comes to foundation application, Matin says his favorite tool to reach for is a classic Beautyblender. This makes sense considering a Beautyblender was designed to provide an easy, airbrushed finish. When using this application technique, make sure you wet your sponge first. This is key to achieving even coverage and minimizing product absorption. Simply run it under the sink for a few seconds until the sponge is saturated and plump. Then, dip it into the liquid foundation you put on the back of your hand and use a dabbing motion to apply it.
"I'm going to use the Beautyblender, and I'm going to take a little bit of foundation on my hand," Matin begins. "And really work the foundation into the blender. So you don't see it on the surface, it's actually gone inside the sponge."
Working the foundation into our model's skin, Matin reminds us that foundation isn't meant to work as a mark across your entire face. Rather, you should apply strategically to even out skin tone and illuminate. "Foundation is there to just even the skin out. Work it to wherever your neckline starts. And I'm working very lightly just to even her out. And if you're tan on the body but pale on the face, don't hesitate to bring the foundation down onto the neck."
How to Apply Foundation with Your Fingers
Let's be honest with ourselves: We use our fingers more than any other beauty tool in our arsenal. Whether it's swiping on a cream blush, patting a lipstick onto our pout, or, yes, applying liquid foundation. According to Khachaturian, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. "I'm not mad at applying foundation by hand! In fact, it warms up the product and gives it a more natural finish," he says. "I almost always work off the back of my hand no matter how I apply foundation to heat it up a bit. If this is your only means of applying foundation, I suggest giving yourself a few extra minutes to make sure you really blend and smooth all the edges out."
Before you apply foundation with your hands, make sure your fingers are clean. In fact, wash your hands in between every makeup step. This will avoid color transfer while also keep germs and any other impurities your hands encounter off of your face. Once your hands are dry, apply a bit of foundation onto the back of one hand. Dip your fingers in and spread the product gently around your skin, starting in your T-zone and blending out. We like MAC's Studio Fix Foundation for this technique. It's fluid enough to blend fairly easily yet has enough coverage so you're fingers won't sheer it out too much.
How to Apply Foundation with a Brush
When using a brush, it's important to choose one with synthetic bristles. Natural bristles can be a bit porous, meaning they can absorb some of the product. Synthetic bristles will keep the liquid foundation on your skin, exactly where it's supposed to be. "The brush needs to be thin-bristled. If you use thick bristles, it can streak," Matin adds.
As for the type of brush, Khachaturian surprisingly doesn't recommend using a traditional foundation brush: "When applying liquid foundation with a brush, I actually prefer to use a synthetic fluffy brush, like a blush brush. It sounds crazy, I know, but you get a super-smooth, almost airbrushed result!" As such, he always reached for the MAC 129S Brush ($35). "It doesn't shed and gives flawlessly blended results!"
MAC
129S Synthetic Powder/Blush Brush
$35.00
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Like Khachaturian mentioned before, this MAC brush is technically a powder and/or blush brush, but the sculpted shape and dense synthetic bristles make it a favorite for applying liquid foundation. Who would have thought?
As for which foundation we suggest pairing with this MAC brush, it's Revlon's ColorStay Foundation. Why, you ask? Well, it's smooth and blendable while also offering protective skin benefits from SPF 20 and hydrating hyaluronic acid. The brush's synthetic bristles will spread it evenly across the skin without absorbing any of those good-for-skin ingredients.
The Final Takeaway
No matter what application method you choose, you should start with a primer to even-out the texture of your skin (your forehead, for example, is typically more oily than the cheeks, so foundation will look different on different areas of the face if you don't use a primer). Keep in mind that foundation shouldn't be applied like moisturizer. You want foundation to look like skin, so just use foundation where you need it rather than rubbing it all over.
The same rule of thumb is true for powder, which you should use to set the look. If you have oily skin, you can use powder all over. If you're dryer on the cheeks and around your nose, just powder your forehead and chin. Once you've set your look, Matin recommends breathing some tone and life back into your skin with bronzer or blush.
Ever wanted to pick the brain of a beauty editor? Or get beauty product recommendations from someone who has tried them all? You've come to the right place. Beauty editor Hana Hong answers your biggest skincare, hair care, and makeup questions.
Reader question: Give me the easiest, lightest, and fastest foundation application possible! - @speety00
Foundation is the biggest make-or-break item in your makeup routine. It can go one of two ways: beautiful, glowing second skin or a cakey, chalky catastrophe—that looks like, well, foundation.
And you don't want your foundation to actually look like foundation. But applying the perfect makeup base takes finesse. Finding the right formula is only half the challenge—the tools you use make a big difference in your final outcome, as do the motions you go through when applying it.
"While personal preference certainly plays a role in what tool you reach for, you do need a strategy," says celebrity makeup artist Cara Lovello. Timing-wise, your fingers would be the quickest method to apply foundation. However, it's also the most finicky, and since there are pros and cons with each application technique, I'll go over when and how to use each application tool based on your makeup goals. No matter what method you choose, always make sure to start with a clean face and a thin layer of moisturizer to prime and even out the texture of your skin. You'll also want to wait at least 15 minutes for everything to sink in before proceeding to your makeup.
How to Apply With Your Fingers
If we're being honest, our fingers are probably the most used beauty tool in our arsenal. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. According to Lovello, applying your foundation with your fingers is the best way to achieve a natural, "no makeup" makeup finish. You'll find that the product will absorb super fast, and you'll get a more controlled application. It's also the quickest way to get makeup on your face, but since your hands are unable to buff or distribute foundation as well as a sponge or brush, you have to take extra care in blending.
Start with completely clean hands. The last thing you want is a breakout courtesy of dirty fingers. Apply your liquid foundation directly to your hand—this will help warm up the product. With your ring finger (which naturally uses the least amount of pressure), spread the product gently around your skin, starting in your T-zone and blending outwards. Keep in mind that foundation shouldn't be applied like moisturizer—always tap and never rub to avoid uneven distribution.
How to Apply With a Brush
Makeup brushes allow for a concentrated application, so they're great if you're going for a full coverage finish. The downside is that the bristles like to leave little streaks and lines on your face. To avoid this as much as possible, choose a thin-bristled, synthetic brush. Thick bristles tend to streak, and natural bristles can be a bit porous, meaning they can absorb more of the product. "I never use flat foundation brushes, only stippling or blending brushes," says Lovello. "Unlike traditional foundation brushes that have a single layer of bristles, stippling brushes have two. The top bristles help pick up the foundation, while the bottom, denser bristles tap the product onto your skin."
When you stipple your makeup, you're essentially applying the foundation in tiny dots that are so close together they blend for a flawless finish. Apply several dots of foundation onto your face with your fingers, then grab the stippling brush and dab the brush along your skin to blend everything in. You can build up your foundation until you get an even layer of coverage across your entire face, and add more depending on the coverage you desire.
How to Apply With a Sponge
If you want the most professional, Photoshop-level finish, Lovello says that Beautyblenders (or any egg-shaped makeup sponge) are the way to go. "A Beautyblender will give you an airbrushed look, and you can use the same sponge to blend all your cream products. You can also use your sponge to apply loose setting powder and bake if you desire," she says.
First (and this is very important), soak your sponge and squeeze out any excess water until no water drips—this will cause it to double in size. "Most people aren't getting their Beautyblender wet enough, and it's going to soak up too much of your foundation," says Lovello.
Then, dip it into the liquid foundation you put on the back of your hand and use a dabbing motion—never smudge or swipe—to "bounce" the side of the sponge all over your face. Use the pointed tip of the sponge to blend out the foundation around your nose and eyes. Keep in mind that most people have a different skin tone on their face than their neck, so don't forget to bring the foundation all the way down to avoid the dreaded demarcation line.
The Takeaway
Beauty editors and experts all have strong opinions about how to apply foundation (I'm team fingers), but there's a case to be made for each application method. Fingers are best for a quick and natural application; sponges are good for achieving a flawless finish; and brushes are ideal for full coverage. And sometimes, a little mixing and matching can go a long way. It's worth exploring different tool combos with different foundation formulas to determine what works best for you.