1. Find your Shade
It all starts with finding the right color and can be one of the trickiest things when it comes to makeup. I have had my fair share of trial and error with foundation shades and it is never fun to find out your new purchase is not a good match. To avoid this, it is a good idea to ask the saleswo/man at the counter to color match you. When you’ve got your correct shade, ask for a sample of the foundation to take home and try out on your own. This is my preferred method of choice since I would rather do the testing by myself. This sample can also help you find the right shade at the drugstore as well.

2. Prep the Skin
Starting with prepped skin will help the application go a whole lot smoother. It is best to start with clean, moisturized skin. I like to give my moisturizer at least 5 minutes to absorb into my skin before moving on to primer. Applying a primer after your moisturizer helps to smooth and perfect your skin. There are so many different ones out there like color correcting or acne control. My favorite is a hydrating one like Smashbox Photo Finish Primer.

3. Applying It 
Begin by applying the foundation to the center of your face and then blending it outwards. This will help prevent getting it in your hair and provide a more even coverage. If you prefer a light coverage, use your fingers but be sure they are clean first. Using a sponge will provide a fuller coverage. Remember to bring the foundation down your neck and behind your ears (especially if your hair is up!) to blend it all seamlessly together.

4. Concealing
Applying the foundation before any concealer will help give a base cover to any blemishes or dark circles. It also helps keep the concealer from creasing too much. Choosing one that is a shade lighter than your foundation will help highlight the under-eye area at the same time as concealing. A pointed brush can be used for this but I prefer my fingers which help warm it up so it blends more easily.

5. Applying Powder
Using powder over your foundation is necessary for taming shine and increasing the longevity of your makeup. This is one of my favorite steps in my makeup routine and prefer using a sponge or powder puff to apply it. I gently pat it into the powder and then press it over my skin working from my chin up towards my forehead. Then I’ll take a fluffy face brush and run it back over to get rid of any powder left behind.

6. Setting
Finish with a setting spray. Using a setting spray to set your makeup helps it stay all day while creating a smoother-looking complexion. From my own experience, I find that this step makes the biggest difference. It helps soften the powder I applied so it blends with the foundation and gives a glowy, dewey finish that is otherwise hard to achieve with dry skin. I have been currently loving the MAC Fix+ but if you’ve got one you’d recommend I would love to hear about it!

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