3 techniques for blending your foundation

And why you should be using all three on rotation

Women's Health Contributor / July 21 2016

Applying foundation often comes down to personal preference. Some people like to pop a dollop on their fingertips and give their complexion a quick once-over; others like to really work it in with a makeup sponge for maximum coverage. But really you should be using more than one foundation application method because let's face it, some days you need to amp up the coverage according to your skin's mood (hello, breakouts), and other days you want to swap from a foundation to a tinted moisturiser or BB cream for something a little more subtle.

The next time you go to use your old-faithful technique, take a sec to think about whether it's the best choice for your foundation goals that day. Here’s the three ways to blend your foundation and when to use each application type.

1

A makeup brush

The quickest, easiest and most foolproof way to apply foundation.

Best for: Stick foundations. They’re quite dense, so use a brush and work in small sections to avoid streaks and tidemarks.

Bonus: You can control the amount of product you apply to an area – so less waste.

Try: Real Techniques Stippling Brush

2

A blending sponge

Run under water and squeeze until lightly damp, or mist with a spritz, then dab product from the back of your hand onto your face.

Best for: Pressing foundation into skin for a more sheer, seamless application.

Application trick: Use the pointy end of the blender to get into small, redness prone areas like around your nose.

Try: the original beautyblender

3

Your fingers

Fingers always provide light coverage with a luminous finish because of the natural oils on our skin, which we pass on with our hands.

Best for: Tinted moisturiser (try Nude by Nature Natural Tinted Moisturiser) or luminous, liquid foundations like L’Oréal Paris Lumi Magique Foundation. Use fingers to apply in winter when products can become more dense as the warmth of your body temperature helps.

Avoid: If you want a matte result.

For more beauty advice from Women's Health, stop by womenshealth.com.au

Main image credit: Getty

Caelia is the former Beauty & Grooming Director of Women’s Health and Men’s Health Australia and continues to provide monthly beauty content for Women’s Health. She’s a mum of two and loves to write beauty that is easily adapted into the everyday lives of busy, active women to help them look and feel fantastic. Her freelance credits include Harper’s Bazaar, Body+Soul, Stellar, mamamia network, PopSugar and JONES mag.