4 of the most common foundation questions

Achieving a perfect-looking base with foundation, concealer and loose powder may seem like a simple task, however there are a few factors that may get in the way of a flawless coverage. For example, your foundation could be the wrong colour for your complexion; the formula may be too heavy and offer a mask-like coverage instead of a naturally-radiant appearance; shininess from excess oils can cause your foundation to look patchy; or your concealer doesn’t do a good enough job of covering up problematic spots.

If these issues ring true to you, then you’ve come to the right place. Here, we answer four common foundation questions.

Q: How can I make my foundation last?

A: An application of makeup primer is essential if you want to boost the staying power of your foundation.

Try: The Elizabeth Arden Flawless Start Instant Perfecting Primer features a triple blurring complex that smooths fine lines, time-release skin balancing technology that works to hydrate the skin, silica beads to soak up excess oils, and long-wear polymers to lock the foundation in place.

If you still feel that your foundation isn’t lasting as long as you’d hope, then a light dusting of transparent powder (such as Elizabeth Arden High Performance Blurring Loose Powder) can increase the staying power of your foundation underneath and keep shine at bay. Those with combination skin should apply loose powder on specific areas that tend to get oily throughout the day (such as down the nose), whereas people with oily skin should try a small amount of loose powder patted all over.

Q: How do I pick the perfect shade of foundation?

A: To find the perfect shade of foundation that matches your skin tone, you should swipe a small amount onto your cheek then blend it out with your fingers. If that colour disappears into your skin, you’ve found the correct shade for you.

Q: What’s the best way to achieve the ‘no makeup’ makeup look?

A: The secret to mastering the ‘no makeup’ makeup look is with a foundation that can even out your skin tone but isn’t so heavy that it masks your features (such as freckles). As healthy skin is naturally radiant, you also want to go with a formula that’s creamy yet offers illuminating powers.

Try: The Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Sponge On is a cult product that ticks all of the above boxes, and is really easy to blend into your skin with the sponge included. What we also love about this product is that the coverage is buildable from medium to full, and it dries to an airbrushed finish that makes you look like you have flawless skin. Best of all, the lightweight formula won’t cake or feel heavy throughout the day.

On top of that, this foundation contains complexion-perfecting ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts, that can keep skin looking and feeling hydrated and plump, as well as soft-focus microspheres that diffuse light and minimise the appearance of pores.

Q: Should I apply foundation or concealer first?

A: You should apply foundation first before concealer. Your foundation plays the role of evening out your skin tone and adding coverage all over, whereas your concealer should be used only as a spot treatment to cover up blemishes, redness or any areas that require additional attention.

Try: The Elizabeth Arden Stroke Of Perfection Concealer is a creamy formula that has the ability to mask dark circles and imperfections with a few dabs. Just don’t forget to blend it into your foundation with a concealer brush or your fingers for an undetectable finish.

If you want to combat a tired-looking face, try these easy tips to freshen up your face.

What’s your go-to advice when it comes to achieving a flawless base? Let us know in the comments below.

Image credits: Sevak Babakhani