15
June
How to apply primer foundation and concealer
How to Apply Primer, Foundation, and Concealer
Achieving a flawless makeup look starts with the basics: primer, foundation, and concealer. These three products work together to create a smooth, even complexion that lasts all day. Learn how to flawlessly apply primer, foundation, and concealer with our step-by-step guide. Discover the best products and techniques to achieve a long-lasting, flawless complexion.
What is Primer and What Does It Do?
Primer is a crucial step in any makeup routine, acting as a preparatory product applied after your skincare routine and before your makeup. The primary function of a primer is to create a smooth, even base for your foundation, ensuring that it glides on seamlessly. Primers fill in fine lines, pores, and any other textural irregularities, giving your skin a flawless finish.
Beyond smoothing the skin’s surface, primers help your makeup last longer by creating a barrier between your skin and your makeup. This barrier prevents oils from breaking down your makeup and helps keep everything in place throughout the day. Additionally, primers can address specific skin concerns:
Redness: Green-tinted primers neutralize redness.
Dullness: Radiance-boosting primers add a glow to the skin.
Oil Control: Mattifying primers control excess oil and shine.
Recommended Primers
Benefit POREfessional Face Primer: Minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer: Smooths skin and extends makeup wear.
Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer: Hydrates and smooths the skin.
What is Foundation and What Does It Do?
The foundation is a skin-coloured makeup applied to the face to create an even, uniform complexion. It serves as the base for the rest of your makeup, providing coverage to smooth out skin tone, hide imperfections, and create a blank canvas for other makeup products. Foundation can range from sheer to full coverage and comes in various finishes, such as matte, satin, or dewy, to cater to different skin types and preferences.
The primary purposes of the foundation are:
Evening Out Skin Tone: Corrects colour discrepancies and creates a uniform appearance.
Covering Imperfections: Hides blemishes, scars, and pigmentation.
Providing a Base: Ensures that other makeup products, like blush and bronzer, apply smoothly and last longer.
Types of Foundation
Liquid Foundation: Versatile and available in various finishes; suitable for most skin types.
Powder Foundation: Ideal for oily skin; provides a matte finish.
Cream Foundation: Offers full coverage and hydration; great for dry skin.
Stick Foundation: Convenient for touch-ups and travel; provides full coverage.
Recommended Foundations
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup: Long-wearing, full coverage.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation: Lightweight, buildable coverage.
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation: Radiant finish, suitable for normal to dry skin.
What is Concealer and What Does It Do?
Concealer is a concentrated, often thicker makeup product used to mask dark circles, age spots, large pores, and other small blemishes visible on the skin. It provides additional coverage in areas where foundation might not be enough, and it's typically applied after foundation to ensure the areas needing extra coverage get a precise application.
Concealers come in different formulations and finishes to address various skin concerns:
Dark Circles: Brightening concealers contain light-reflecting particles to counteract darkness.
Blemishes: Full-coverage, matte concealers help hide breakouts without exacerbating them.
Highlighting: Lighter shades of concealer can be used to highlight and contour the face.
Types of Concealer
Liquid Concealer: Versatile, buildable coverage; suitable for most skin types.
Cream Concealer: Provides heavier coverage; ideal for dry skin or significant blemishes.
Stick Concealer: Easy to apply; great for on-the-go touch-ups and spot concealing.
Recommended Concealers
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer: Hydrating and buildable coverage.
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer: Lightweight, natural finish.
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer: Full coverage, long-lasting.
Before You Start: Skin Preparation
Preparing your skin before applying makeup is crucial for a flawless finish. Start with a clean, moisturized face. Apply a hydrating serum and moisturizer suitable for your skin type. Allow these products to fully absorb before moving on to primer. Prep Your Skin for Flawless Makeup
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying Primer, Foundation, and Concealer
Step 1: Apply Primer
How to Apply: Dispense a pea-sized amount of primer onto your fingertips or a makeup sponge. Gently smooth it over your face, focusing on areas with larger pores or fine lines.
Product Recommendations: Benefit POREfessional Face Primer, Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.
Step 2: Apply Foundation
How to Apply: Use a foundation brush, sponge, or your fingers to apply foundation. Start in the centre of your face and blend outward. Build up coverage as needed.
Product Recommendations: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup, Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation.
Step 3: Apply Concealer
How to Apply: Dab concealer onto areas that need extra coverage, such as under the eyes, around the nose, and on blemishes. Blend well using a brush, sponge, or your fingers.
Product Recommendations: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, Maybelline Fit Me Concealer.
Tips for Making Your Makeup Last Longer
Setting Powder: Lightly dust setting powder over your foundation and concealer to lock them in place.
Setting Spray: Use a setting spray to keep your makeup looking fresh throughout the day.
Touch-Up Tips: Carry a compact powder and blotting paper for quick touch-ups.
When to Use What: A Quick Reference
Understanding the order of applying primer, foundation, and concealer is key to achieving a flawless makeup look. Each product plays a specific role in your makeup routine, and using them in the correct order ensures your makeup lasts longer and looks smoother.
Primer: The First Step After Skincare
When to Apply: Primer is always applied immediately after your skincare routine, which includes cleansing, moisturizing, and applying any serums or treatments.
Why It’s Important: Primer acts as a base for your makeup, creating a smooth surface that helps the foundation adhere better and last longer. It can also address specific skin concerns, such as minimizing the appearance of pores, controlling oil, or adding hydration. By filling in fine lines and creating a uniform texture, primer ensures that your foundation applies evenly and doesn’t settle into imperfections.
Pro Tip: Allow the primer to set for a minute or two before applying foundation to ensure it’s fully absorbed and ready to hold your makeup in place.
Foundation: The Canvas for Your Makeup
When to Apply: The foundation comes after primer, creating an even base that covers redness, blemishes, and uneven skin tone.
Why It’s Important: Foundation is the product that evens out your complexion, providing a uniform canvas for the rest of your makeup. It helps to conceal larger areas of discolouration and can be built up for more coverage if needed. The type of foundation you choose (liquid, powder, cream) can also affect the finish of your makeup, whether you’re aiming for a dewy, matte, or natural look.
Pro Tip: Apply foundation starting from the centre of your face and blend outward. This technique ensures you get the most coverage where you need it most, with a more natural finish around the edges of your face.
Concealer: Targeted Coverage for Imperfections
When to Apply: Concealer is typically applied after foundation, but in some cases, such as with severe discolouration or under-eye circles, it can be applied before foundation for additional coverage.
Why It’s Important: Concealer provides targeted coverage for specific areas that need extra attention, such as dark circles, blemishes, or hyperpigmentation. It’s designed to be more pigmented than foundation, allowing it to effectively mask imperfections. Applying concealer after foundation helps to avoid over-applying and ensures that it blends seamlessly into the base without being rubbed away.
Pro Tip: Use a small brush or your fingertips to blend concealer into the skin, focusing on patting motions rather than rubbing to maintain coverage and prevent the product from thinning out.
Interested in Becoming a Professional?
If you’re passionate about makeup and want to turn it into a career, consider professional training. Enhance your skills and knowledge with courses from Makeup School Sydney:
Applying primer, foundation, and concealer correctly is essential for achieving a flawless makeup look. By following the steps outlined in this guide and using the recommended products, you can create a smooth, long-lasting complexion. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep experimenting to find the routine that works best for you.
Makeup School Sydney can help you become a professional makeup artist.
FAQ
Can I omit the primer if I use moisturizer?
Answer: The reality is that you should always apply moisturizer before using primer. As previously stated, the objective of a moisturizer is to seal in moisture and keep dryness at bay. If you use a primer first, you risk having dry, lifeless skin.
Can I use foundation without priming?
Answer: Primer is also known as a basis for Foundation or a Foundation primer. They are mostly used to produce a regulated matte finish. It is not required to apply a primer before foundation, but there are several advantages to having this product in your cosmetic kit.
Can I use a moisturizer instead of a primer?
Yes, moisturizer may be used as a primer, and we'll go over some of the reasons why. A primer is a substance that helps to produce a smooth basis for cosmetics. It's designed to make skin appear brighter and younger, as well as make makeup last longer.
Can I apply concealer after priming?
Answer: After using primer, dab a little quantity of concealer wherever coverage is required. Use a makeup blender or sponge to smooth out the concealer. Apply a little layer of foundation on your face, ensuring it is properly dispersed.
Do I use a primer all over my face?
Answer: Greenberg believes that if you don't apply primer everywhere you want to lay the foundation, you're asking for disaster. others of your makeup may apply more evenly than others, and others will likely wear off faster, resulting in a spotty, uneven disaster.
Which comes first, primer or sunscreen?
Answer: Sunscreen should be used before primer. This one appears to be tough. A primer does not have the same pigmentation or texture as makeup.