No matter how diligent you are with your skin care, fine lines, breakouts, age spots and other imperfections still manage to rear their ugly heads from time to time. Whether you have acne, dark spots or uneven skin tone that you want to hide, foundation can be a real life saver. But if you want a flawless finish, applying it the right way is key. You can apply your foundation with several different tools, but each one applies the makeup differently so you’ll achieve a different amount of coverage depending on which you choose.
A foundation brush is neat, easy way to apply your foundation. There are several different types, but the most common is a flat, synthetic style that resembles a paint brush. Using a brush allows you to easily get into small areas of your face like under the eyes or around the nose, and gives your great control over where the foundation goes. With a brush, you’ll get pretty full coverage from your foundation so it’s a good option if you have serious acne or dark spots that you want to hide.
If you use a brush for your foundation, though, it’s important to wash it regularly to prevent the spread of bacteria. Baby shampoo or mild anti-bacterial dish soap work well for cleaning foundation brushes.
Sponges are another common way to apply foundation. They’re often more convenient than a brush since they’re disposable so you can toss them after a day or two instead of washing them. Because they’re usually made from latex or other flexible materials, you can easily fold or bend a sponge to conform to the contours of your face so it’s easy to apply foundation in small, concentrated areas.
The problem with sponges is that they tend to absorb a lot of makeup, so you may wind up wasting some of your foundation. They offer medium coverage, but you can go lighter if you dampen the sponge before applying the foundation. Wetting the sponge also helps prevent it from absorbing as much makeup.
By far, the easiest, most budget-friendly tool for applying foundation is your own fingers. There are several benefits to going the finger route. For one, your skin actually helps warm the foundation so it blends into your face more easily to give you a flawless, natural look. Your fingers also provide excellent control when it comes to placing foundation and getting into all nooks and crannies of your face. You’ll also get full coverage if you use your fingers, so all of your acne, age spots and other discolorations will be totally hidden.
If you decide to use your fingers, though, make sure that they’re clean so you don’t wind up spreading any bacteria to your face. Wash your hands thoroughly beforehand with antibacterial soap or use a hand sanitizer so your fingers are germ-free.
Looking for a high-performing foundation, then Cover Tint SPF20 by Dermalogica is a great option. Not only does it provide outstanding coverage, but has light-diffusing agents that camouflage fine lines and wrinkles as well. It contains skin care ingredients ginseng and marine extracts which help firm and hydrate the skin so you’re also treating your skin while hiding your flaws. The Cover Tint SPF20 is available in three shades – light, medium, and dark – and comes with sponges that work well if you want medium coverage. For the most flawless look, though, use your fingers for a full coverage finish.
With the right foundation and the right application method, you can hide any imperfection and look naturally beautiful at the same time.