Technical Post: Foundation Application

To apply the perfect base:

1. Make sure your model is gowned, and that all hair is pinned back from the face.
2. Using a spatula, scrape the colours you need from the palette and place on the back of your hand, and work from there-NEVER dip your brush into the foundation palette.
3. Mix your colours on the back of your hand if they require mixing, to get the right shades.
4. Place stripes of foundation along the jawline to get the right colour match- the shade that disappears is the right colour.
5. Using a buffing brush, start working the foundation into the skin, starting from the centre of the face and blending outwards, to avoid the product pooling in the centre of the face.
6. Use large circular motions to buff the foundation right into the skin, so that it looks like a second layer of skin. Make sure you buff the foundation right over the ears, and get your model to lift up her head and blend the foundation right down the neck, so it is all one colour. Stretch the neck to avoid it creasing. Make sure not to miss any areas such as around the nostrils, the creases of the mouth and the hairline.
7. Using a flat foundation brush, buff the foundation around the eye, and using backwards and forwards motions, get the foundation as near to the eye as possible. Then, using a powder puff, hold the corner of the eye up, and use backwards and forwards motions to blend the foundation right into the creases of the eye. Do the same with the eye open and blend under the eye.
8. Using a round concealer brush, start to apply the concealer. Never go more than 2 shades lighter with concealer. Blend it with the foundation on the back of your hand to ensure the colour blends well on the face,
7. Start in the inner corner of the eye and blend towards the outer corner and right up to the lower lash line. Blend concealer right down to the socket line, but no lower. Blend right around the corner of the nose, and corners of the mouth, and then conceal any other areas of the face that need concealing, such as red patches or blemishes.
8. To powder the skin, put some loose, translucent powder onto the back of your hand. Dip your powder puff into it and roll the powder gently over the foundation. By rolling it and patting it, rather than brushing it, you do not move the foundation underneath. and it sets the makeup a lot better. Make sure to powder the eyelids and underneath the eye really well, as this is where the makeup is most likely to crease.
9. If you need to, take your round concealer brush and work the powder along the eyelid, if there is any creasing.