How to make foundation last
WHEN it comes to make-up, foundation is vital. It can make or break how your face looks, yet it’s so easy to get wrong. Foundation is also one of the priciest things in your beauty bag, so you want it to look great and last all day. Thankfully our sister publication, No.1 magazine, is here to show you how, with three important steps, you can have a flawless base from AM to PM. Do the prep work DON’T underestimate the importance of preparing the skin before applying your foundation. Remember that primers are great for giving your foundation longevity and evening out skin.
Don’t opt for a primer that feels ‘too smooth’. You should plump for one that feels very slightly ‘tacky’ on the skin when first applied because if it’s too smooth, the foundation can slip off the surface. We like Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, £30.
Apply carefully
YOUR foundation will last longer if you use a tool to apply it. Whether that’s a sponge, foundation brush or stippling brush is entirely at your discretion.
Start with the foundation on the back of your hand and then apply a thin layer to your skin in downward strokes (which will keep the fine little hairs on your face smooth rather than fluffed up).
You can then buff another thin layer on top if you feel like you need more coverage. The good news is that buffing at this stage will give you a flawless finish and help your foundation look more natural. We’ve found that the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, £9.99, is great for buffing.
Set in our ways BACK in the day, applying a setting powder was all about the powder puff and it’s still a good option now. If you have a large powder puff, dab it in some loose setting powder, blow off the excess and then just press the puff on to the skin.
Powder puffs are also good because brushes can sometimes smudge away the foundation you’ve just applied.
However, if you want to stick with a big brush, make sure you just gently sweep the powder over the skin – it’s not about rubbing powder in.
As a final touch you could try a setting spray. Urban Decay’s All-Nighter Long Lasting Make-up Setting Spray, £23.50, works wonders.