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“When I put on foundation, I feel powerful.” That’s what a regular model at my makeup training sessions told me.
She has problematic skin, so I completely understand why she said that – when she puts on foundation, her sense of security and self-confidence increases…
And this is something many women experience, myself included.
However, the problem arises when that initial feeling quickly fades because the foundation smudges, fades, or even makes your face feel dry and tight.
In this blog post, you’ll learn how to avoid mistakes many women make with foundation, how to make your makeup last all day, and how to keep that feeling of confidence and self-assurance with you always.
We’ve all experienced it – you put on foundation, feel perfect, but during the day we notice our makeup doesn’t look natural, the foundation slowly disappears, even fades, and then we wonder why this happened…
The reason lies in the mistakes women make when applying foundation, and here are some of them.
This is the most common mistake among many women. Preparing your skin before applying foundation is crucial for achieving longevity and a natural look.
Without proper hydration or primer, foundation won’t have a good base and can collect in dry areas or slide off oily parts of your face.
That’s why foundation might look good for a while but then seems to disappear.
I’ve lost count of how many women have come to me saying they bought a foundation they saw online, and when they tried it, it didn’t look anything like what they saw in the advertisement.
The reason is that women don’t pay attention to their skin type and whether that foundation actually suits their skin.
Every skin is different and requires a specific approach, so it’s important to choose foundation according to your skin type.
And to do that, you need to understand what skin types exist, and this applies both to women who want to do their own makeup and those who want to work professionally and apply makeup on clients.
This is another classic mistake – wrong foundation tone and undertone.
It’s not uncommon for women to choose a shade that doesn’t match them, resulting in their face looking lighter or darker than it actually is.
You know when you see the difference between someone’s face and neck? That’s the result of choosing the wrong foundation shade.
To have foundation that perfectly matches your complexion, you need to know your skin tone and undertone. Unfortunately, many women skip this step.
A common misconception many women have is that more foundation means better coverage.
In reality, using too much foundation can make skin look older and drier.
Instead of concealing imperfections like acne, scars, or allergies, excessive application actually makes these imperfections more noticeable.
That’s why a moderate amount of foundation will work wonders for your overall makeup look.
The application technique dictates how foundation will look on your face.
It’s just as important as choosing the right foundation because you can have the best foundation in the world that matches your skin, but if you apply it incorrectly, you still won’t achieve the look you’re satisfied with.
That’s why it’s important to know that some foundations work better when applied with a brush while others work better with a beauty blender.
The right technique makes the difference between a face that looks fresh and one that appears tired.
When we make any of the mistakes we’ve listed, various negative consequences affect both our appearance and how we feel.
When skin preparation is skipped, the face lacks proper hydration, resulting in improper foundation application…
If you use the wrong foundation for the skin type you’re working with, the appearance will change drastically throughout the day – oily skin will become even shinier, while dry skin will look even more dehydrated.
Choosing the wrong foundation shade can lead to feelings of insecurity because the difference between face and neck becomes obvious – as we say, it catches the eye.
When foundation is applied too heavily, it will only emphasize fine lines and pores, which is why women in their 20s can end up looking like they’re in their 30s or 40s when they put on foundation.
And poor application technique can result in foundation not “sitting” well on the skin, making the entire look uneven and causing frustration.
Because of all this, many women find themselves feeling great when they leave for work, a walk, a meeting, or a night out, but as time passes, their face looks worse and they become more insecure…
The result is spending the whole day touching up their makeup until they finally realize nothing helps and resign themselves to their fate.
The good news is that no matter how big these problems are and how much discomfort they cause us, there are solutions.
First and most importantly is knowing your skin type. Don’t blindly follow recommendations you see online – determine your skin type and then choose foundation that suits your skin.
The best part is that you can always find affordable but quality products, so you don’t have to throw money away buying expensive, high-end products.
Then, before you even think about applying foundation, your skin must be prepared. This means proper cleansing, hydration, and applying a base or primer that suits your skin type.
This step guarantees that your foundation will have something to “hold onto,” meaning it will last longer and look more natural.
Next, determine your correct skin tone and undertone. Because for your foundation to look natural, you must know your skin’s tone and undertone.
This can be confusing at first, but once you learn how to recognize these characteristics, you’ll never have problems choosing foundation again.
Which brings us to one of the most important things when it comes to foundation: less is more. So be careful to apply the right amount of foundation. Start with less and add as needed.
Remember, foundation shouldn’t be a mask, but rather should even out your complexion and cover imperfections in an unnoticeable way.
And finally comes the application technique.
Most importantly, know that not all techniques are the same and not every technique suits every face. So experiment with brushes, beauty blenders, and fingers to see what works best for your skin.
Some products require precision, while others look better when applied quickly and simply.
Of course, all these techniques and tips are just part of the puzzle. To become a true master at applying foundation takes time and practice.
The more you practice, the better you become. I’ve said this to every woman who has ever asked me how to get better at applying foundation or makeup in general.
Don’t forget that quality products and brushes help with this. Of course, this doesn’t mean you need to buy expensive products – there’s a wide selection of affordable and quality products and brushes available, you just need to look for them.
That’s why I’m always trying new products, and whenever I find something new, I always recommend it to my students in our mobile app.
If you need help on this journey, feel free to contact me within the mobile app if you’re part of our community, and if you’re not but want to become one, click the button below.
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