Foundation application tips please

[CruellaDeVille2019]

I'm in my early 40's. My skin is fairly normal but I do have large pores on my nose. Slightly more oily on the t-zone but only slightly, no dry skin. Just an occasional small spot. Big dark circles under my eyes with fine lines as well.

I have never mastered the art of applying foundation properly. I have tried BB cream but it doesn't do enough to hide my pores and dark circles. Foundation either doesn't give me enough coverage, sits in my pores or is too thick and cakey. I'm pretty sure that the issue is more a case of me being hopeless at putting it on properly than the numerous different products I have tried over the years.

My current routine is a pore refining moisturiser after cleansing which is allowed a good few minutes to soak in. I use a tiny amount of decent quality primer (currently using Two Faced) which again is allowed a few minutes to dry. Then I apply my foundation. I either use finger tips or a damp sponge. I don't know how to use a foundation brush properly. I haven't a clue how use concealer properly either, it either looks very obvious compared to the foundation or disappears. I find that I often get caking as I apply my foundation, I get bits especially on my cheeks where you can see it rolling up into tiny balls as it peels off my face. Otherwise I feel that it has made very little difference to the appearance of the dark circles and pores.

My pores and dark circles do make me feel very self conscious. Please can anyone give me tips on how to do a better job of putting a good base on? TIA.

All foundations are different, they vary in terms of coverage, finish (matte, satin, dewy etc) and texture. You just haven’t found the right one.

I personally like Armani luminous silk and the Hourglass stick. I’m sure others will suggest cheaper options. I quite like Too Faced Born this way, it’s a very good product but you might find it heavy as it’s full coverage.

What sponge do you use? Just buy a beauty blender until you master sponge application as then you can try cheaper options as you’ll have a point of reference of what is good or not.

Brushes vary depending on the product and the coverage. Duo fibre brushes are good eg MAC 187. You just stipple then blend in circular motions

I get bits especially on my cheeks where you can see it rolling up into tiny balls as it peels off my face.

This is called pilling. You have loaded your skin too much, with heavy products, causing the balling. Your products aren’t compatible. Drop the primer and maybe use less moisturiser or a lighter moisturiser.

What products are you using? Sounds like you might need a revamp.

Concealer is perfect for dark circles. Apply a decent amount under your eyes then blend with beauty blender and set with translucent powder. If you still see darkness, you can lightly go over it with a compact powder.

Pores are dealt with via skincare mainly. A clay mask might help (eg lush cosmetic catastrophe or kiehls). Pore refining makeup only has a subtle effect.

Thank you both! What is a beauty blender? Is it different to a make up sponge? I'm currently just using a bog standard one from superdrug.

I think what pp have said is good.

But you do have to trial and error your way through to see what works for you.

As for me, I don't wait for products to dry. I cleanse and then apply 3 The Ordinary products, one after the other, then a moisturiser, then, while still damp I apply my foundation like a moisturiser, really rubbing it in. I read about a make up artist doing this, gave it a try, liked it. I then use a sponge to blend anything like eyebrows and hairline. I'm left with a glowy complexion, but I realise this is not a standard process. FWIW, my skin is dry, flaky and dehydrated if left to its own resources, but no one would even know, even professionals at the counters have mistaken my skin for normal well balanced skin.

Thanks dudsville. I will give that technique a try.

I like Bobbi brown long lasting foundation.
I tend to apply it either by using my fingers, then adding a 2nd application but just in the areas where I need it or by using a stippling brush. Using fingers gives a much lighter coverage than using the brush.
The ordinary moisterizer or decleor hydra floral are my favourites for under make up.
With concealer I tend to just lightly pat it in using my ring finger.
Lots of great you tube videos to help you

I just apply a little bit of foundation all over my momoisturised face with a foundation brush then apply it in downwards strokes. Finally I bounce a damp sponge over that base.
'

Hi - I find that the skincare steps beforehand make a huge difference. Are you exfoliating?!?!
If you have normal to slightly oily skin,.maybe start introducing an acid into your evening skincare routine - personally, I like glycolic acid (you can start with The Ordinary to test our, as it's cheap. I like Drunk Elephant TLC Framboise and Dennis Gross Daily Peel Pads, start with gentle and work your way up.)
Also, Niacinamide is great for enlarged pores. I used a serum from The Ordinary, again, cheap and effective! So, in the evening after cleansing, I out the acid, followed by moisturiser mixed with the niacinamide serum.

As for a foundation routine, I generally don't wear it during the daytime. For under eyes, the Colorscience 3-in-1 Eye is amazing for concealing dark circles. Also try the Trinny London BFF Eye.

I'm in my forties too and I'm not a usual makeup wearer I tend to use a nivea face cream with a tint in it x but if applying a foundation I get the rimmel it has a red cap I found that to be a good coverage just using my fingers works well as I don't like to cake it on like some of the young folk of today lol

I've had pilling and it was the moisturiser - it was not cheap stuff either. I have used a mattifying base once and won't bother again as I ended up patchy.

For dark circles use a corrector not a concealer.
I'd skip the foundation and just use concealer or any blemishes.

The Rimmel foundation is good. Decent coverage and stays put.

Have you tried a powder foundation? I find them much easier to apply than a liquid.

If you use a silicone based primer then you need a silicone based foundation. If your foundation is water based then you need a water based primer. Google can help here but I'd just drop the primer altogether for now until you find a foundation you really like and then you can pick a primer based on that if you still want one. It's the mismatched based that are causing the pilling.

I use a foundation brush (pro face from real techniques at Boots) to apply it in a buffing type motion mainly in the centre of my face and blending out towards edges with whatever is left, sometimes nothing. Then take a barely damp beauty blender and go over it to blend in and creases or pores that it might settle in slightly.

For any areas I feel I need extra coverage I use the beauty blender to dab a tiny bit extra on. But don't use foundation for coverage really, just for even-ing things out.

This is roughly the technique Lisa Eldridge (make up artist) uses. For application tips and product ideas, her tutorials on YouTube would be really good for you to watch. She's one of the best.

For under eyes a corrector under the concealer is best. Bobbi brown and Laura nervier do very good correctors. They both last a long time so worth the spend. Basically for blue/black colour you need a peachy toned corrector. For brown colour you need a pinky toned one. Then you go over it with a concealer the same tone and colour as your skin.

I love lancome teint Idole foundation (£££) and just bought CYO lifeproof long lasting foundation (£) which looks promising and has excellent reviews. All beauty counters should give you a sample if you ask. Lancome definitely do.

This brush (it's expert face not pro)

www.boots.com/real-techniques-expert-face-brush-10146030

And this beauty blender

www.boots.com/real-techniques-miracle-complexion-sponge-10164142

Beauty blenders/sponges are a personal thing though so just whichever feels soft to you. Eco tools do good ones as well.

*laura mercier