The Ultimate Guide to Applying Foundation Like a Pro (2025)

Knowing how to applyfoundationis no small feat. The ultimate goal? An ethereal, glowing complexion sans blemishes and scars. But often, despite your best efforts to apply foundation the right way, you end up with a visible, slightly chalky mask that screams, "Look, I tried!" In the quest for that I-woke-up-like-this, flawless foundation finish, we're here to help you fine-tune your foundation-applying skills—because doing your makeup shouldn't be a feat shrouded in mystery. To simplify the foundation process, we broke down the exact steps, products, and techniques that'll help you get the most natural-looking finish, every time.

Step 1: Clean Your Face

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(Image credit: Kathryn Wirsing)

Removing all traces of your makeup andwashing your face every nightis extremely key to maintaining a beautiful canvas for foundation. (You might even want to double cleanse if you wear heavier makeup.) If you cleanse properly, there's less need to thoroughly wash again come morning time.

To catch lingering makeup traces, oil, or grime,lightly swab your skin with a cotton pad soaked in cleansing waterto kick-start your foundation routine with a clean, grease-free slate.

Caudalie Vinoclean Cleansing Micellar Water

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Sensitive Skin Micellar Water

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Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water

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Avène Micellar Lotion Cleansing And Make Up Remover

Step 2: Prep Your Skin

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(Image credit: Kathryn Wirsing)

Foundation gets a bad rap for looking dry and flaky, but 99 percent of the time, it's actually due to user error (sorry, user). Even the heaviest matte foundations canlook soft and natural—as long as you correctly prep and hydrate your skin with a good moisturizer.

After cleansing,massage a thin layer of moisturizer all over your face(avoiding the eyelids), letting the cream sink in for five to 10 minutes before applying your foundation. Not sure which ofthe best facial moisturizersto choose? Try one of our favorites, below.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 242

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First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Oil-Free Mattifying Gel Moisturizer

Step 3: Find Your Best Foundation Shade, Then Dab It On

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(Image credit: Kathryn Wirsing)

Take that bottle of too-dark foundation that's been rolling around in your drawer since high school and throw it away. Right now. Thenbuy a foundation that's creamy, medium-coverage, andactuallymatches your skin type and shade. Try one of these cult-favorite foundations:

ILIA True Skin Medium Coverage Serum Foundation with Niacinamide

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

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Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation

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Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation

Now that it's time to apply, add two pumps to your palm, then use a foundation brush to dab the foundation into your skin, starting at the center of the face and blending outward.Don't worry about making it look perfectjust yet—that part will come next.

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Step 4: Blend Your Foundation

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(Image credit: Kathryn Wirsing)

Here's where the second-skin magic comes in. Grab a damp makeup sponge (make sure you've already squeezed out any excess water into a paper towel), andgently dab, dab, dab—never smudge or swipe—the side of the sponge over your faceto seamlessly melt the foundation into your skin. Be sure to use the pointed tip of the sponge when blending out the foundation around your nose and eyes. You'll get excellent results from the beauty sponges ahead, including the cult-favorite Beautyblender:

Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge

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Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Beauty Sponge Makeup Blender

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Precision Makeup Sponge 100

Sigma Beauty 3DHD Blender

Step 5: Top Off Your Foundation

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(Image credit: Kathryn Wirsing)

Tap on a concealer with your ring finger for extra coverage to conceal zits, acne scars, or redness. Let it set for five minutes, thenlightly bounce the tip of your sponge over the concealer to blend it outwithout smudging it off.A full-coverage formula will give you the most bang for your concealing buck:

Bobbi Brown Skin Concealer Stick

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

Rose Inc Softlight Clean Dewy Hydrating Concealer

Skin by Mented

Step 6: Fine-Tune Your Foundation

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(Image credit: Kathryn Wirsing)

To keep your foundation from slipping and sliding by noon,dust a translucent powder over your T-zone—which is where all skin types get oily first—with a giant fluffy brush, like theReal Techniques Powder Brush. Dip the brush in the powder, then tap off the excess and swirl it over your forehead, nose, and chin in soft, concentric circles.

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Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

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Tom Ford Translucent Finishing Powder

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e.l.f. Cosmetics High Definition Loose Powder

NYX Professional Makeup HD Studio Finishing Powder Translucent Setting Powder

Step 7: Bask In the Results

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(Image credit: Kathryn Wirsing)

Congratulations—you've officially mastered how to apply foundation for smooth, glowy, non-patchy results. Please take a few (hundred) selfies, then share your new wealth of knowledge with the world.

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The Ultimate Guide to Applying Foundation Like a Pro (2025)

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