Just as a painter will prime, sand and buff a wall before they touch their brush, a makeup artist will follow a similar process before they lay down the first coat of foundation. However, with an entirely different set of primers and buffing tools, of course. When these basic skin prep steps are skipped, even the foundation formulations that are touted as being lightweight, dewy and hydrating can pill, flake and cake.
Often, when we’re not pleased with our foundation’s results, we ditch it and look for another. However, before embarking on your hunt for the perfect skin-perfecting foundation, it’s important to consider whether you’ve properly prepped your skin.
Ultimately, an indicator of quality base makeup is when you’re praised for the glow and clarity of your skin, not the foundation itself.
So, to ensure you’re getting the most seamless finish from your foundation, here are five skin-smoothing tips for a flawless foundation application.
How to make your foundation glide…
#1 Shave your face
No, seriously. Dermaplaning (the removal of peach fuzz) is one of the best things you can do for the appearance of smooth skin and ensuring that your makeup will sit in place.
Just as you shave your legs before you apply fake tan, consider this process to be similar.
@getreadywithniks Dermaplaning Tips for Beginners #dermaplaningtutorial #dermaplaningtips #dermaplaningathome ♬ Darling – Trees and Lucy
bh recommends: Manicare®’s dermaSMOOTH Fuzz ($7.39 at Chemist Warehouse) and the Finishing Touch Flawless® Dermaplane Glow ($24.99 at Chemist Warehouse)
#2 Chemical exfoliation
Unless you’re a porcelain doll your skin is going to have pores, blackheads and bumps. Though there’s truly no way to entirely wipe them out (we actually welcome a little bit of texture), there are ways to manage these uneven surfaces. A regular, light exfoliation with active ingredients such as lactic and glycolic acid will work to slough away dead skin cells and resurface your complexion to ensure your base is smooth, glowing and ready for your makeup.
A few our favourites include the Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads ($90 at Elemis) and the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (widely regarded as a dupe for this popular $175 product) ($42 at Paula’s Choice).
#3 Cleanse…..properly
Turning on the tap and splashing some water onto your face doesn’t count. In order to truly remove makeup and clean out any excess sebum and oil from your pores, you need to thoroughly massage your cleanser into your face – twice.
Begin with an oil cleanser or micellar water like the Simple Waterboost Micellar Cleansing Water ($8.39, Chemist Warehouse) to dissolve your makeup, and then finish your double cleansing routine with a gel or cream cleanser.
#4 Apply lighter layers
If you want a more seamless, second skin-like finish to your base makeup, the answer is rarely to seek out a fuller coverage formulation.
Instead, seek out a medium coverage foundation that uses words like “smoothing” and “buildable” and apply lighter layers until you’ve achieved your desired finish.
A few of our favourites include the Kosas Revealer Skin Improving Foundation SPF 25 ($65 at MECCA), Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow ($69 at Adore Beauty) and the Models Prefer Light Diffusing Liquid Foundation ($19.99 at Priceline).
#5 Try a primer
Primer will not only hydrate dry patches, but it will also absorb excess shine to ensure foundation applies evenly (and stays that way). Sign us up!
We love the HOURGLASS Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15 ($84 at MECCA) and the Nude by Nature Perfecting Primer Blur and Mattify ($29.95 at Priceline).
Do you have any tips for a smooth foundation application? If so, what are they?
A good sunscreen that keeps you moisturised is also pretty helpful 🙂 foundation will glide right on
So are you saying put the sunscreen on first and then the foundation?
I apply sunscreen first every time
So do I – always sunscreen first.
@Normap Sunscreen first and wait a few minutes for it to absorb before continuing with makeup.
Definitely sunscreen first
I apply my sunscreen first. A regular primer is so so on me.
Im going to try this. I normally do sunscreen after primer.
Exfoliated, well hydrated skin always makes the best canvas.
🙄 my comment is waiting moderation. I didn’t even say anything “wrong”
That happens to me all the time, it is so frustrating!
yes I have several comments and even forum topics that have been under moderation for weeks and if ever released will be out of date -annoying when there is so much spam that gets through instead
I agree, i’m sure they will never be released.
That’s happened to me on a different article
Regular thing. Same.
Same here, starting to think it could be deliberate to reduce our points (not that I’m cynical)!
I’ve currently got ELEVEN article comments pending moderation! All innocent comments. The oldest two go back to 11 November last year!
That’s so disappointing.
I haven’t kept count but 11 is a lot!!
I’ve been dermaplaning my face for a few years and it makes such a difference to how your make-up sits
Start with a good skincare routine and exfoliate weekly and you won’t have any problems.
Shave your face – Wow to me this sounds rather drastic. I dont like the idea at all.
That’s good information for geometry dash unblocked to have great experience.
I don’t like the idea of dermaplaning, wouldn’t it make the hair on your face grow back darker and thicker?
I don’t like this idea at all either
No it doesn’t. I’ve been using it for awhile now and the hair grows back the same
Mine grows back the same too. It doesn’t get darker or thicker.
Mine too – very surprising
No. It is not even logical. I would then shave my head to get thicker stronger hair, but nature does not work that way haha
It honestly doesn’t, RINNY – I long believed that myth, too. I’ve tried dermaplaning & the hair grows back the same as before – no darker or thicker.
I will skip the shaving part, thanks.
yes me too
Thanks, @RalucaP and @JuJu – my thoughts too. The concept concerns me.
yes its nervous to think of doing this
I Dermaplane regularly. It makes my skin feel smooth & clean and I do agree it does keep my foundation on for longer.
I like a toner under foundation
Those face shavers have been amazing – it not only makes my makeup look better but I found that it made my skin look brighter and I didn’t have as many breakouts as before
can you recommend a good dermablade?
That’s good to know.
great article!!
yes lots of very good points
I’m finding some brands much, much better and safer than others.
Defuzzing, exfoliating and a great moisturizer i use now, anything over glides like a dream!
I really like that Nude by Nature primer, it makes a big difference.
The idea of shaving your face whether it needs it or not horrifies me.
me too lol, but i have hairs, so fibe you cant feel them, once iread they protect your skin. now we have to dermablade to have a smooth surface
Yes I Shave my Face it certainly does make Makeup to glide on that much easier, my routine I usually use a Skin Serum, than a Moisturiser leave it to go into my Skin then apply a 50+ Face Sunscreen then a Blur Primer then my Foundation, apply small amount of contouring to my face then add a light setting powder. Do my Eyeshadow, Eyebrows and Blush.
No the shaving but rest of points make sense
I love primers and exfoliate often, maybe i should dermablade, there is lots of hairs
I have a tip for testing foundations for coverage of discolourations, and how well they perform over lines and uneven texture. Dab, stipple with your middle finger onto your knuckles. You will see straight away how it covers and settles into lines or not.
That’s a GREAT tip, AS!
Great tip @AS 🙂
That sounds like a great idea @AS.
Sunscreen first is the way to go. I won’t shave my face thanks
I can’t apply foundation with a primer with my skin type.
*without
Benefit primer looks flawless but makes my blemish-prone skin break out. Even triple-cleansing doesn’t entirely remove it.
I’m currently using NbN eye primer – I should give the face one a go.
I am a regular Dermaplaner and I have never used an oil but I may give it a try. I use Primer most of the time especially if I know I need my foundation to stay on for an extended period – especially in Summer.
A great read and excellent advice, thanks bh!.
Not too sure about shaving my face as couldn’t that encourage more, and quicker, growth?
All excellent tips. I noticed a big difference as soon as I started dermaplaning.
I don’t think you can beat Benefit’s Porefection primer.
I’m going to try sunscreen under my foundation.
I won’t be trying the shaving.
I am not convinced by derma-planing. I fear dark or bristly re-growth.
the HOURGLASS Veil Mineral Primer is amazing
Exfoliating is super important. It helps a lot.
I am too scared to shave my face primer is the option i like.
Exfoliating and moisturising properly help me so much… otherwise, I’m flakey and my face ‘eats’ the makeup.
Knowing myself I’d cut my face if I shaved it!
Me too
Some great tips.
I have only just started removing the peach fuzz. It was never a problem but now that im nearing the 60 mark its decided to fuzz me up.
its all about the skin prep! some great tips here.
These are good tips.
A good skincare routine also helps. Don’t forget the sunscreen which can be a great base for foundation
I love the Hourglass Veil Primer and always use this under foundation.
I wouldn’t recommend dermaplaning
I haven’t tried Dermablading
I like a glowy sunscreen as it acts as a primer and a sunscreen in just one step, eg Ultra Violette
Sunscreen last and let it soak in