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Creating the perfect look with your foundation is a balancing act. You want to make sure you’re setting it with the right kind of primer, but you don’t want to use it so much that it looks caked on. You want to get the coverage just right, so you can see your jawline again, but not so much that it looks like you have a bucket of paint on your face rather than natural beauty. Upending your standard beauty routine with new tricks and techniques can help you get that perfect finish every time. Whether your skin is oily, dry, or something in between, there’s a trick for making sure your foundation covers flawlessly and stays put all day long. So check out these small tips for a flawless finish in no time!

Use a sponge that’s the same shade as your foundation.

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This is the most basic foundation rule there is, but it’s easy to forget if you’re in a rush. Using a sponge that’s the same color as your foundation means that you’ll get a more even, natural-looking coverage. It also means you’ll be less likely to get streaks since you can blend out the foundation with the sponge itself rather than having to use your hands and potentially putting on too much product. If you can’t find a sponge in the same color as your foundation, look for a slightly lighter one. You’ll still have great coverage, but you won’t have as much blending to do. If you use a sponge that’s too light, though, you’ll have to spend extra time blending out the product to avoid streaky patches.

Always set your foundation with powder.

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This is especially important for oily skin types, but it’s a good practice for those with all skin types. A good powder will absorb oil from your skin, setting your foundation so that it doesn’t smudge or run during the day. Setting your foundation with powder not only holds it in place but it makes your pores look smaller, which is a major skin win. Most people think you only set liquid or cream foundations with powder, but you can also set a powder foundation with powder too! While you might not need as much powder, it’ll help set the foundation, making it last all day long. If you have dry skin, you may want to avoid powder and just set your foundation with a primer. Using a powder on dry skin can make it look flaky and more prominent.

Don't forget to blend, blend, blend.

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Blending is the foundation trick that often gets forgotten, but it’s just as important as setting your foundation properly. Whether you use a sponge, a brush, or your hands, you need to make sure your foundation is blended in well so that it covers your entire face rather than just the spots you’re currently focusing on. Blending is essential for making sure your foundation doesn’t look caked on. You want it to look like a second skin, not like you put on way too much makeup. You also want to make sure you blend in any spots where your foundation is a little too light or too dark so that your face doesn’t have a blotchy or unbalanced look. Blending should be one of the last things you do when applying foundation, and you should do it in small, circular motions to make sure you don’t push the product into your skin.

Try a taping technique for acne or uneven skin.

If you have acne, you’ve probably heard the advice to put on a thin layer of foundation and let it sit on your pores to help minimize their appearance. While this is a good trick for reducing redness, it can also make acne look more obvious. Blending your foundation into your skin helps it blend into acne too, so it doesn’t stand out as much. If you still have red marks from previous breakouts, you can try applying a thin layer of foundation around the acne and then taping it with medical tape. If your skin looks uneven, like you have freckles or hyperpigmentation, you may have tried using a heavier foundation to cover it up. This can make it look worse, so it’s better to use a lighter foundation and then blend it into your skin. You can also try using a colored corrector before applying foundation to help camouflage the marks on your skin.

Protect your skin before you apply anything else.

If you have dry skin, you’ll probably want to use a moisturizer before you apply anything else to your face. If you have oily skin, you might want to put on a mattifying primer or blotting papers first. And if you have acne-prone skin, you want to put on a primer that has acne-fighting properties. If you don’t want to spend money on a few different face primers, you can try using a tinted moisturizer or BB cream first to even out your skin tone and protect it from the sun. This will also help you get a lighter coverage that better matches your skin tone, so you don’t have to put on as much foundation to cover up any redness or discoloration. If you’re prone to acne, look for a primer with anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm your skin and prevent breakouts from getting out of hand.

Add some color with a stain or dipped brush.

If you want a more subtle look, you can skip the foundation and use a tinted moisturizer instead. But if you want more coverage, you can add color to your skin by using a stain or a dipped brush with foundation. Staining your skin with a color like red, orange, or pink will give you a more natural-looking glow. You can use a spray-on stain like Benetint or use a tinted moisturizer to get the same effect. You can also use a tinted moisturizer like a lightweight foundation. This can be especially helpful if you have oily skin since a full-coverage foundation can make your face look oily even sooner. A dipped brush with foundation is an easy way to get that flawless, full-coverage look, while still using a lightweight formula. Just dip your foundation brush in water, put on a little bit of foundation, and then pat the bristles on your face to distribute it.

Conclusion

When you take the time to make sure your foundation is applied correctly, it will show. A flawless foundation is one of the best ways to make sure your skin stays healthy and acne-free, no matter what type it is. And since there’s a trick for every skin type, there’s no excuse for not having the perfect foundation application. Small steps can make a big difference, so check out these tips for a flawless finish in no time!