Being a makeup artist is so much more than what we see on Instagram. Sure, watching beauty bloggers apply foundation with a bra or eyeliner with a string is fun, but the true professionals—the ones who spent years perfecting their craft backstage at fashion week or behind the scenes at photo shoots—have tips and tricks that’ll make even the most amateur makeup lover truly talented. So, we tapped a few of the world’s most in-demand makeup artists for their best advice on how to apply one of the more difficult products so many of us struggle with: foundation. Trust us, these tricks—in only 10 words or less—are so simple and yet so genius, they’re worth printing out.
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Diane Kendal:
1. “Always match foundation to the skin tone of your chest.”
2. “Mix moisturizer into your foundation to create a tinted moisturizer.”
3. “Only use foundation where needed to keep it natural.”
Charlotte Tilbury:
4. “Always test out the color in a natural light.”
5. “Apply foundation with fingers because the warmth helps it blend.”
6. “For an airbrushed finish, use powder to set foundation.”
7. “Extend your foundation onto your ears and neck.”
Patrick Ta:
8. “Make sure the beautyblender is always damp—not dry.”
9. “Apply foundation starting the center of your face, blending outward.”
10. “A flawless foundation application requires well-moisturized, hydrated skin.”
11. “Choose foundations with yellow undertones for the golden, radiant look.”
12. “Mix different foundations to get the best color and coverage.”
13. “Apply with a dense brush and blend with a sponge.”