How to Get a Flawless Base Without Foundation
Are you a makeup fanatic who hates wearing heavy or full-coverage foundation? We get it, anything thicker than something like MAC Face and Body foundation can make your skin feel terrible. But of course, we still desire that flawless base without having perfect skin. Luckily, we’ve got some tips to help you achieve that without clogging your pores too much!
Here’s our guide to achieving a flawless base without using any foundation:
1. Choose a rich moisturizer
A moisturized canvas is crucial for any flawless look. Find a moisturizer with as much richness as you can get while still suiting your skin type. If you have very dry skin, you can layer your moisturizer with a hydrating oil or serum. Moisturized skin appears glowier, smoother and has more “slip” for concealer to blend into.
2. Stick to a high-coverage concealer
A high-coverage concealer is going to be your main tool. You’ll use it to brighten the under eye, erase blemishes and cover redness. Because you’re only going to be using a very little amount, you can go for the most opaque concealer you can find.
3. Add a tiny brush to your collection
Teeny, tiny brushes are extremely handy when perfecting your base. You can use them to really pinpoint your blemishes, hiding the redness without adding too much product. Dot a tiny amount of full-coverage concealer right over the redness with your teeny brush, then gently pat it with your finger to soften the edges and meld it into the skin. Your blemishes will be invisible, but the good parts of your skin will still be center stage.
4. Use a setting powder
A translucent setting powder or one with a very light coverage will keep all of your concealer work in place. It will also take care of any shininess you don’t want. Dust it on lightly, making sure to concentrate it under the eyes and anywhere you’ve applied concealer.
5. Add a Glow
This isn’t a crucial step, as some people really prefer a totally matte base. But if you’re partial to a dab of artificial glow, get that highlighter out of the drawer. A natural, non-blinding highlight is going to attract light to the high points of your face, enhancing your bone structure and giving the look of healthiness and youth. Press or dust a very finely-milled highlight (i.e. a glow not a glitz) onto the bridge of the nose, the cheekbones, brow bones, and cupid’s bow. Dimension + glow = freshly flawless.
5. Use fingers to soften
After I complete my base I like to use clean fingers to press the product into the face. Use your fingers to press the outside of the face and anywhere which has an obvious or stark line or edge of the product. You could do this with a slightly damp sponge or velour puff, but I find fingers to be the most effective. I like to ensure that all of the product is seamlessly blended into my hairline and along the jaw.
Too long, didn’t read?
- Moisturize
- Apply a full-coverage concealer under the eyes, over any redness and blemishes
- Use a tiny brush-point for blemishes
- Blend with your fingers for a seamless finish
- Set with translucent powder
- Enhance the high points with NON-glittery glow
- Give it a little caress and blend with your fingers to remove any excess product and blur the lines
- Spritz with a setting spray if you’re planning a long night out
We hope you give this simple look a try the next time you want a flawless base without having to use foundation! As always, these are simply tips and by no means hard and fast rules. We all have different techniques, preferences and skin types, so interpret these as you wish!
Gin Mabey