How to Apply Foundation For a Natural Look

Let’s be honest – the real reason we apply foundation is to give our skin the look of a heavenly, radiant slab of marble with no signs of any scars of blemishes. However as hard as we try, most of us end up with an obvious, slightly chalky mask, making our faces look nothing like what we’d been hoping for.

But applying foundation shouldn’t be such a mystery. With correct tools and a bit of effort, you can achieve a natural, glowy finish each time. If you’re wondering how to apply foundation the right away, we’ve broken down the process into simple steps below.

Step 1: Clean your face

Before you begin, it’s important to clean your face to remove any makeup, dirt or impurities that may have gathered since your last wash. Start your foundation routine by washing your face with your daily cleanser so that your skin is oil-free. Once clean, let your face dry for 5 minutes before moving on to the next step.

Step 2: Prepare your skin

Before you move on to applying foundation, it’s important to prepare your face so that it doesn’t end up looking dry and flaky. Hydration is the keyword here. Prep your skin by applying a thin layer of moisturizer all over your face, except the eyelids. Let it sink in for 5 to 10 minutes before applying foundation. Even the heaviest of foundations will give a light and soft finish if your skin is properly hydrated.

Step 3: Apply foundation

If you want to achieve a truly natural-looking glow, make sure your foundation is the right shade. If it’s darker or lighter than your actual skin complexion, it’ll ruin your whole makeup look. Buy a medium-coverage, creamy shade that matches your complexion as well as skin type. Once you have your ideal foundation, pump some of it into the palm of your hands. Using a foundation brush or your fingers, gently dab it onto your face, beginning from the center and blending it in an outward motion. Don’t worry about how it looks just yet – the next step will take care of that.

Step 4: Blend it

This is the most important part of your foundation routine. Get this right and you’ll never have to worry about your foundation appearing chalky or patchy. As far as blending is concerned, there are two ways you can go about it, i.e either with a blending sponge or a silicone applicator. Below, we’ve outlined both methods:

Blending sponge:

If you prefer using a blending sponge, dampen it slightly and squeeze out any excess water. Now gently dab the foundation on your face, making sure never to swipe or smudge. The beauty blender will seamlessly melt the foundation on your skin for a super blended, natural finish. We recommend using the Chelsea 2-in-1 blending sponge, which is especially designed to give you perfectly finished, streak-free makeup in the matter of seconds. Use the rounded side on larger areas of your face and the pointed tip for targeted parts, such as around your eyes or on blemishes.

Silicone applicator:

The best thing about a silicone applicator is that it requires very small amount of product, saving you money and extending the life of your expensive makeup. Add a tiny amount of foundation to the applicator and work it in an outwards motion on your face in small circles until the product is finely distributed. Then dab it all over your skin for an even look. We recommend the Chelsea Silicone Applicator, which is perfect for blending your makeup seamlessly with zero product absorption into the sponge.

Congratulations - you've now mastered the art of getting smooth, glowy, non-chalky foundation look!