The 7 Rules of Wearing Foundation in 2023 (So It Looks Like a Second Skin)

Jenny Jin
·6 min read

At its best, foundation can make your skin look more even-toned and smooth. At its worst, it can cause your face to look masklike and dry. Luckily, we have plenty of options that cater to our individual skin types and preferences.

In fact, some might say we have too many options to choose from, which can feel overwhelming when you're staring at rows and rows of foundations at Sephora. Fret not, we're here to help.

The first thing to consider is your skin type (is it dry, normal, oily or combination) and your desired coverage level (do you want the finish to be light, medium or full). Now look for those corresponding keywords on the labels.

Once you've narrowed things down to the formula that best meets those criteria, it's time to find your shade match. You can do this by picking up two to three shades that you think most closely match your skin color and swatching them along your jawline. Then, grab a mirror and head to your nearest window (or step outside for a second) to see which one disappears into your skin. Note: If you have freckles, match the shade to your overall skin and not the freckles themselves.

Now that you have your foundation selected, here are seven tried-and-true rules of wearing foundation—plus, the best products and techniques for getting the most seamless application ever.

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1. Prep Your Skin

Maryna Terletska/Getty Images

Always start with clean, well-moisturized skin. Makeup adheres better when your skin isn’t dry or patchy. For everyday wear, take your time massaging in your favorite moisturizer before you apply any makeup, and for special occasions, start off with a hydrating sheet mask. Tip: We also love using undereye patches for those mornings when we wake up looking a bit worse for the wear.

Shop Prep:

Mediheal

N.M.F Intensive Hydrating Mask

https://www.amazon.com/MEDIHEAL-Official-Koreas-Sheet-Mask/dp/B07T574JRF?th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=pur0e4-20&linkId=3e8dc8676db635f85dad76586f2a49f9&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

$20 at Amazon

NYX Professional Makeup

Face Freezie Resuable Undereye Patches

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12

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Peach & Lily

Glass Skin Water Gel Moisturizer

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43

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2. Prime Sparingly

In general, the fewer layers there are on your face, the better. However, if you have especially oily skin or need your makeup to last all day, say, for a special occasion, apply primer to the hotspots of your face only, like the forehead, nose and chin. Makeup primers are used to create a smooth, even base underneath your foundation (and anything else you apply on top like blush) so the application itself is easier and you get longer-lasting results.

Shop Primers:

Tula

Filter Primer

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38

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Benefit Cosmetics

The POREfessional Pore Minimizing Primer

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34

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NYX Professional Makeup

Face Freezie Cooling Hydration Moisturizer + Primer

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20

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3. Lighten Up Your Base

Westend61/Getty Images

Another pro tip for getting a more natural-looking base is to mix a little moisturizer into your foundation before applying it to your skin. This will sheer out the coverage a smidge and give your skin a fresher, dewier finish. (You can also use a liquid highlighter instead of moisturizer, if you’re after that glass-skin look.)

Shop Moisturizers:

L'Oréal

True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer

ulta.ztk5.net/PyaOKR

16

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First Aid Beauty

Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer

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32

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Bubble

Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturizer

ulta.ztk5.net/1rb91x

16

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4. Start in the Center

Once you have your foundation ready, apply it from the center of your face, moving outwards. This way, you get the most coverage around the nose and mouth (where there tends to be more discoloration) and it gradually sheers out as it reaches the perimeter of your face (near the hairline and jawline).

Shop Foundations:

Fenty Beauty

Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation

ulta.ztk5.net/WqYy6Z

14

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IT Cosmetics

CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation

https://ulta.ztk5.net/R5RG6R

47

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Chanel

N°1 DE CHANEL Revitalizing Foundation

https://ulta.ztk5.net/y2rqmb

75

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5. Buff to Blend

iStock/Getty Images

Whether you use your fingertips, a sponge or a brush is a matter of personal preference, but the method is the same for all three: Gently tap or bounce your tool of choice over the foundation to blend it into your skin. Doing this will ensure you don’t end up with streaks or uneven patches.

Shop Tools:

Beautyblender

Original Beautyblender

https://ulta.ztk5.net/rQga2y

20

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NYX Professional Makeup

Cant Stop Wont Stop Foundation Brush

https://ulta.ztk5.net/QyKj6M

15

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IT Brushes For ULTA

Airbrush Buffing Foundation Brush #110

https://ulta.ztk5.net/PyaO6X

26

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6. Add Highlighter Strategically

A strategic application of highlighter just to the high planes of your face (i.e. your cheekbones and around your temples) will add the subtlest dimension to your features. As for the highlighter itself, most makeup artists we’ve worked with over the years tend to prefer a creamy or balmy highlighter over a liquid or powder formulas because they give off a more natural finish and you’re better able to control the application.

Shop Highlighters:

Iconic London

Illuminator

https://ulta.ztk5.net/Vm4xNa

40

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Live Tinted

Hueglow

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34

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Anastasia Beverly Hills

Sugar Glow Kit

https://ulta.ztk5.net/LXDK2L

40

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7. Be Intentional About Setting

Dex Image/Getty Images

Just as you highlight strategically, you want to do the same with setting your makeup. Using a lightweight translucent powder and a small, fluffy brush, dust a little powder over any areas that tend to get oily, like the center of your forehead and around your nose and mouth. The goal here isn’t to get rid of all your shine; it’s just to balance things out so you get a smoother looking complexion overall with just the right amount of glow. (Note: If you have dry skin, you can opt for a setting spray instead.)

Shop Setting Powders:

Laura Mercier

Translucent Loose Setting Powder

https://ulta.ztk5.net/1rb97a

43

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Hourglass

Veil Translucent Setting Powder

https://ulta.ztk5.net/EKqEee

49

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bareMinerals

Mineral Veil Setting Powder

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33

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