How to apply foundation: tips for a flawless base

Who can honestly say they've never made mistakes when doing their make-up? How many times have you paid too little attention to your foundation, when you've got a million-and-one things going on at once, only to find yourself—once outside and in the sunlight—with patches of colour, a shiny T-zone or, worse still, a lack of uniformity between your face and neck?

Thankfully, you can avoid the panic by following just a few steps in the mirror! All it takes is to learn how to apply this make-up product the right way.

And since we care so much about making you look as beautiful as possible, with an absolutely impeccable base, we've decided to help with this practical, easy-to-follow guide revealing, step by step:

which foundation is best suited to your skin (liquid, compact, powder)
how to avoid patches and achieve perfectly even skin
the most commonly used techniques for applying foundation, based on texture

Check out our tips and you'll discover that foundation can be your best friend for camouflaging those last-minute imperfections and looking flawless when you arrive at your engagement.

Type of foundation and tools to use

First of all, make sure you've chosen the shade of foundation best suited to your skin and skin type (dry, combination, oily) and found the right texture to even out your complexion. Otherwise, you may risk ending up with an uneven complexion, especially in natural light, where make-up imperfections are much more noticeable.

That's why we recommend finding your perfect match right away by answering the questions in the Foundation Finder, which will reveal which foundation is best suited to you!

Now that you know which type and colour to choose, remember to prepare your skin with the right skincare products before actually applying your foundation.

Now let's move on to tools: there are so many options available, including compact brushes with short bristles, like the sponge-core brush for liquid foundation, a flat sponge, and of course your fingers.

Although using your fingers is very convenient, you risk altering the properties of the product's texture and "overheating" the colour. It's one of the simplest methods for beginners because it allows for even application. If you do this, we recommend washing your hands thoroughly to avoid transferring impurities to your face.

Why not use specially designed tools instead? One of the most popular accessories is undoubtedly the precision blender, a handy sponge whose shape allows you to reach even the most difficult corners of the face to apply make-up, like the nose and under-eye areas. A smart option is the blender sponge kit, which includes two types of sponges that can be used for any occasion and on all areas of the face.

Fondotinta EditorialCarousel Sqaure 992x992 1

How to apply your foundation

To apply foundation evenly, start by dividing your face into 5 zones and apply a small amount of product to each one:

chin
forehead
nose
right cheek
left cheek

In these areas of the face, work the product from the centre outwards or from the bottom upwards. To avoid creating the classic "brush" lines, we always recommend using circular movements.

Here are some things to bear in mind:

hairline.

We recommend using a small amount of product here, as too much can make your hair greasy and highlight the colour difference between your skin and scalp.

neck.

Spread the product under the jawline and blend it down to the décolletage. The last thing you want is to end up with a noticeable difference between the colour of your face and neck.

under-eye area.

Often delicate, this area can be prone to dryness if not well moisturised. We recommend using either a liquid foundation or cream concealer for this area.

Fondotinta EditorialCarousel Sqaure 992x992 2

How to apply liquid foundation

To apply liquid foundation, you have three techniques to choose from:

Using your fingers: start by warming the product with your fingertips, then dab it onto your face. Always work from the centre of the face outwards. When you reach the hairline, we recommend continuing with a sponge or decent brush to blend the product evenly.
Use a cat's tongue brush (e.g. a flat natural fibre brush or a flat synthetic fibre brush): start by applying the product to the five areas of the face, then work in linear movements from the centre outwards. One risk of using this technique is that it can create lines on your face, but you can avoid this by using a short-bristled brush rather than a cat's tongue brush, applying the product in circular movements.
Use a precision blender: apply the product with circular movements, working from the centre outwards.

Fondotinta EditorialCarousel Sqaure 992x992 3

How to apply compact foundation

This is the ideal foundation for those who don't like too much product on their face and prefer something with a highly natural effect. Once applied to the face, the compact foundation feels like a layer of velvet, which it totally dry and pleasant to the touch.

Essentially, there are two important steps to follow when applying compact foundation:

Preparing your skin with a good moisturising cream.

When applying the foundation, it's important that your skin has totally absorbed the cream first, so we recommend waiting before applying it. If, however, you don't have time to wait, you can dab off any excess using a small tissue.

Choosing a method for applying the compact foundation.

Using a sponge—typically included in the case—provides greater coverage, particularly when used damp with a Wet & Dry product. Even though you don't need reminding, please remember to let it air dry before putting it back in the case!

If, however, you opt for a soft bristle brush, you'll achieve an even and much lighter application.

If you're looking for something in between, the compact bristle brush is the best choice. If you use one of these, you need to work in circular movements, otherwise you risk creating lines on your face.

Alternate solution: you can apply a liquid foundation first, then a compact foundation as if it were a face powder to give your face a velvety finish with greater coverage!

Compact foundation is very handy to store in your handbag, not just for last-minute touch-ups but particularly when, during the day, you need to reapply it to the T-zone, which tends to get shiny, or to the creases around your nose, which tend to redden if you have a cold or allergies.

Fondotinta EditorialCarousel Sqaure 992x992 4

How to apply powder foundation

People with shinier skin tend to prefer powder foundation. But how do you apply it?

We recommend pouring a small amount of powder into the product cap. Using a face brush for powder, start by dipping the brush into the powder foundation, allowing the bristles to pick up the powder. Apply it to your face in circular movements, working the product in well.

By now, you should have a clearer idea of how to apply foundation properly. Now all you have to do is choose the perfect one for you and your skin and practise creating the perfect base for all your looks!

Fondotinta EditorialCarousel Sqaure 992x992 5

Easy returns in 30 days

Free shipping from 45€

Gifts & offers with KIKO ME

Secure payments