A lightweight moisturizer works well for this. Feel free to apply eye cream, too. [3] X Expert Source Alicia D’AngeloMakeup Artist & Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 10 April 2020. Optionally, apply foundation primer over the moisturizer. This is most helpful for people with oily skin, to create a smooth base for the foundation and it will also help your makeup to last longer. [4] X Expert Source Alicia D’AngeloMakeup Artist & Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 10 April 2020.
When applying to the eye, tap the concealer on, working from the outside of the eye inward to the nose. You only need to apply it to the darkest area, then dab upward in a sweeping motion to thinly cover the rest. This is the most difficult type of concealer to use. Practice with different amounts and shades until it works out. [5] X Research source
If using liquid foundation, warm the container in your hand before applying. Although many makeup users apply concealer first, this wastes time and product when the foundation sweeps away some of the concealer. The exception is powder foundation, which should be applied over the concealer.
Most makeup lines have a numbering system in place to help guide your choice, but each system only applies to that particular line. Most brands go with numbers from 10 to 50 or 1 to 10, with the higher numbers for darker skin.
Examine your skin without makeup on, under daylight or neutral white light. Hold a piece of yellow fabric or gold jewelry under your chin. If this gives your face a healthy glow, you have warm undertones. [10] X Research source Hold a piece of red fabric or silver jewelry under your chin. If this complements your face well, you have cool undertones (which can range from red to blue). [11] X Research source If it’s hard to tell, you likely have a neutral tone, or you may need different foundation for different areas of your face. Or for a quick but unreliable test, check the veins on your inner wrist. Blue means cool undertones, green means warm, and bluish-green means neutral. [12] X Research source
Your jawline will be at the edge of the foundation. If the color matches here, you’ll have an easier time blending it in. Your chest (if regularly exposed to sun) is usually close in color to your face. Testing it here also ensures that your face won’t end up a completely different tone than your body.
If you plan to apply bronzer and blush, your face will end up a bit darker than the foundation. In this case, it’s sometimes preferable to go one-half to one shade lighter with your foundation. If nothing is quite right, mix two foundations together on your skin.
Liquid foundation provides more control during blending. However, poor blending or an imperfect tone match can leave obvious lines where the foundation ends. If your skin is oily, choose an oil-free or non-comedogenic example. Powder foundation (especially mineral powder) absorbs oil and sweat, but can settle into a caked-on appearance, even adding definition to wrinkles and scaly skin. Use a light touch to minimize this effect. You can wear both at the same time. Applying a liquid foundation first and then applying a light layer of powder foundation can also help to set your makeup and make it last longer.
Most foundations are semi matte (even if not labeled as any particular finish). These work well on almost all skin types. Matte foundations work well for toning down oily skin. Illuminating foundation increases shine and can help to diffuse wrinkles.
Liquid concealer is the default option, great for covering acne and wrinkles. Stick concealer and cream concealer are much thicker, which spells danger for oily skin. Bust one of these out for big jobs, such as dark eye circles and angry red patches. Cream-to-powder concealer rubs on as a cream, then sets fast. This is handy for on-the-go corrections, but tends to get cakey after a few hours.
Puffy eyes actually look best with slightly darker concealer, unexpected as that is. The brain interprets dark areas as shadows, making the puffy area appear further back than it really is.
Cover green discoloration with red concealer, and red areas with green concealer. Cover blue discoloration with orange concealer, and vice versa. Cover purple areas with yellow concealer, and vice versa. Dark eye circles are usually combination of blue, purple, and sometimes green. Experiment to find the right shade of orange, salmon, peach, or coral that works on your skin.
