The words flawless and luminous are at the top of the list when it comes to foundation goals in 2023. Trends like status skin, bare skin, and skin minimalism have put the focus back on a natural, glossy complexion, and everyone is looking for the best tips and tricks to achieve the look. To make your life easier, Pamplemousse Beauty compiled a list of the 6 essential steps to achieve this second-skin glow.
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Moisturize: smooth out the canvas
Flawless foundation starts with the right moisturizer. Perfecting the canvas before you start is a crucial and often overlooked step. Foundation cannot glide onto the skin if your complexion is dehydrated. Skipping the moisturizer is the quickest way to get cakey and streaky-looking foundation.
Your skincare routine should address concerns like oily skin type. If you wait to remedy this concern until after you have applied foundation, you will use too much powder in an attempt to control oiliness. Opt for a mattifying moisturizer instead.
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Set the right tone with concealer
Most of us need a bit of help to cover dark spots and blemishes. To achieve the flawless foundation look, you will need to give some areas more attention, like dark under-eye circles, blemishes, and redness around the nose.
A lightweight, liquid concealer is ideal for the delicate eye area as the fine texture blends into the skin without creasing in the laugh lines. Under-eye circles have a dark, bluish undertone, so choosing a concealer with a slightly yellow, orange, or pink undertone will work well to neutralize darkness and lift your complexion, no matter what skin tone you are.
On the rest of the face, you can use a concealer that provides a slightly fuller coverage if your concerns call for it. Alternatively, you could get away with using your under-eye concealer or foundation to correct these spots.
Pro tip: If you have to use a lot of concealer to cover blemishes, dab it with a sponge first (see step 5) before adding foundation.
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The perfect match: choosing the right foundation
Choosing the right foundation starts with considering the texture. For a barely-there finish, a light, dewy formula that blends into the skin (similar to the consistency of a moisturizer) is ideal. Even if you need more coverage, most sheer foundations and tinted moisturizers are buildable, so you can layer the product until you achieve the desired, even tone.
Make sure the foundation you choose melts into the skin, and the color is such a good match that it disappears into your complexion, even before blending it. A shade with a warm or yellow undertone looks great on most skin tones (it brings warmth to the face) and is a good place to start. Modern foundations have comprehensive color ranges, making it easier to find a shade that is 100% you. If you do find that you fall in between shades, choose the color slightly lighter than your own.
Foundation formulas now have good-for-you ingredients that enhance the work of your skincare. Dry complexions will benefit from hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, while niacinamide and salicylic acid will help to control sebum in oily skin.
Pro tip: Before buying a foundation, ask for a sample or use the in-store tester to see how the formula holds throughout the day. Testing helps you to experience the color in different light settings and see how the formula mixes with the natural oils on your face, which can affect the texture of the foundation.
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The tips, tricks, and tools
When it comes o the right tools, the top choices for a second-skin application are your fingers or a sponge. These tools give you the most control over how much product you use. Fingers have the added benefit of warming the foundation and melting it into the skin.
Start with a little product and apply wherever you need coverage while skipping the areas where you do not need foundation. Allowing your natural skin to shine through in places creates the illusion that you are wearing no foundation at all.
Pro tip: If you already own a foundation but it is not sheer or lightweight enough, add some moisturizer or serum to the formula before application. Alternatively, you can try the hot TikTok trend of mixing your foundation with water to enhance the luminosity of your base.
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The Vanishing Act
The next step (which truly makes the product disappear into your skin) is to use a clean damp sponge, like the Beautyblender, to dab the foundation into the skin. Think of it as pushing the product into the skin instead of painting it on. A swiping action, often used in the past, will leave too much product on the face. The bouncing motion of the sponge perfectly blends the formula while absorbing excess product.
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Ready to get set
If there is some oil or moisture left on your skin, you can lightly brush powder over your face. Most powders will do the trick, but a translucent powder with light-reflecting properties will create a softer focus that evens out wrinkles and pores. Tap the brush before application to get rid of excess powder. If this step leaves your face a little too matte, do not worry, as you are about to add moisture.
Finally, set your foundation with a few spritzes of setting spray. A micellar or mineral water spray will work too. Blot off any excess with a blotting paper or paper towel. This final step gives your foundation that “lived-in” appearance. It has a similar effect as the viral face dunking technique (aka Jamsu) of 2017, but with less makeup and drama.
And voila, you have achieved a luminous glow! You will know you are getting it right when you receive compliments on your skin, not your foundation.
Pro tip: Throughout the day, blot off excess oil or product with a blotting paper or paper towel rather than adding more foundation or powder.