Foundation can be a beauty blessing or a hot mess if you apply it wrong. Learning how to apply foundation correctly can do wonders for your face. Make the most of your foundation by learning how to apply it correctly.

Step 1: Buy the right foundation. Consider your skin problems (wrinkles, redness, acne, etc.) and skin type (oily, dry, or a combination of both) when you purchase your foundation. There are foundations for skin with acne that has salicylic acid. And then there are foundations with retinol for wrinkling skin.

Step 2: If you’re looking for a good deal, do not automatically go for the lowest price tag. Calculate the price of the foundation per ounce! One foundation that might SEEM more costly might actually be much, much cheaper. If you’re not exactly a math whiz, a calculator would help you very much when shopping for foundation deals.

Step 3: Take note that while you certainly can buy cheaper foundation from a drugstore and have it work for you, it helps a lot to be able to go into a Sephora or department store to try on foundation. Foundations are like men. One might be perfect for you and one…might not be. But there are plenty of fish in the sea and foundations on the market so explore all of your cosmetic options.

Step 4: Makeupalley.com has TONS of helpful, insightful reviews to look at before you choose a foundation.

Step 5: Once you have bought a foundation that works for you you’re ready to roll. First, wash your face with a facial wash of your choice. Make sure all the dirt is off because left over dirt can often cause unnatural appearing patches on your face after foundation is applied.

Step 6: Apply foundation primer or moisturizer. Foundation primer helps your foundation shine (not literally!) to the best of its abilities. It helps your foundation have more staying power, more lasting power, and helps make your foundation appear more natural and less cakey. Moisturizer also works as well, and benefits dry skin greatly. Another not-so-discussed about foundation primer alternative is makeup remover. I like to use Target brand and Lancome eye makeup remover on my face before applying foundation. They work wonders.
Be sure to let all the moisturizer and primer set into your skin before putting foundation on. Wipe off any residue gently with a soft towel.

Step 7: In natural sunlight, or bright indoor lighting - using your middle finger and ring finger - lightly dab the foundation onto your skin. Blend it in until it looks natural enough. Try your best not to rub in the foundation.   

Step 8: Some people like to mist their face lightly with water after letting their foundation set in. I personally do not do this everyday but it does help make foundation last longer. Provided you don’t spray too much, it usually works well for your foundation.