How do makeup artists apply foundation

And while finding the perfect formula is half the battle, once you have it, making like Houdini and ensuring it vanishes into your complexion is just as crucial. Here, three in-demand makeup artists share their fine-tuned tips for how to apply foundation and achieve that ever-elusive, second-skin finish.

Clean and moisturized skin is a no-brainer, but to really supercharge your glow, begin with a hydrating mask and follow it up with a lymphatic facial massage.

After masking, gently massage your moisturizer into the skin to boost circulation and reduce puffiness. To prime or not to prime? While Violette typically skips the extra base step in the interest of using as little product as possible, when applied correctly, it can prolong foundation for all-day wear.

First, sop up excess oil with blotting papers. Then, look to a featherweight translucent powder to seal in foundation and prevent unwanted sheen. Silky smooth and even-toned, with just the right amount of lit-from-within dewiness, that's how you execute believably perfect skin. Courtesy of brand. Create a Glowing Canvas Clean and moisturized skin is a no-brainer, but to really supercharge your glow, begin with a hydrating mask and follow it up with a lymphatic facial massage.

To keep skin prepped for makeup, Loiz also recommends using a scrub or detoxifying mask once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and keep pores clear. Tim Quinn , Armani Beauty celebrity face designer, recommends spot-treating problem areas before applying foundation to the rest of the face. One thing all of the makeup artists we spoke to agree on?

Always start application at the center of the face. When it comes to thin and sheer foundations, Denno says the texture is far more flexible. However, she notes that thicker foundation can become more difficult to apply seamlessly with fingers, so using tools can help. He recommends dense, synthetic bristles, which work best with most foundations. As you need more coverage, you can actually use the side of the brush to actually press and stipple to increase coverage in the areas that need it most.

Unsurprisingly, the Beautyblender is pretty universally beloved by celebrity makeup artists and us beauty editors, too. You can always go back in and add more foundation or concealer if you want more coverage. You can simply blend a darker shade or just use bronzer to blend skin tone.

The takeaway: Take all the colors of your face into account, and don't forget those undertones. Just because some foundations contain skin-moisturizing ingredients doesn't mean you should skip wearing an actual moisturizer underneath.

Not only does it help keep your skin happy, but it also helps the foundation spread more easily on the skin. Tanno is a huge fan of an adequately quenched face ahead of any foundation application. Now it's super easy to get the level of coverage and color you're looking for. The takeaway: Moisturizer will protect your skin and help your foundation glide better. Don't skip it. If you want to avoid a caked-on foundation look, Tanno and Deenihan both recommend starting small when it comes to the amount you're applying.

I love a good full coverage for the right occasion, but less is really more," says Tanno. The takeaway: Start small, and add more foundation little by little as needed. After all, you can always apply more if you feel like you want more coverage. Lighting can make or break your foundation application.

Having a clear picture of your strokes and colors is key when it comes to that flawless look we're always after. Then go check it by a window.