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Celebrity makeup artist Romy Soleimani takes us step-by-step through the best practices for applying foundation and concealer for a light, dewy effect, medium coverage and a completely airbrushed finish. Watch the how-to video, and follow along with the steps below.
LOOK 1: LIGHT COVERAGE
STEP 1: PREP
Whenever you're applying any amount of foundation, it's crucial to prime your skin with moisturizer first. This ensures the foundation glides on and "hugs the skin" for the most natural-looking finish, explains Soleimani. For a dewy complexion, focus on the areas you want to reflect light: the cheekbones and the lower corners of your eye.
STEP 2: APPLY
Start in the center of your face blending the foundation around your nose, forehead, and chin since that's where you have the most discoloration, says Soleimani. Use the excess foundation on the remaining areas. She advises starting with a brush, then using your fingers to press the formula into the skin. "You don't want to see the foundation, you want it to become part of your skin," she says.
STEP 3: CONCEAL
To camouflage dark shadows in a natural way, Soleimani suggests using concealer instead of foundation. Dab it in the inner corners of your eyes and along your cheekbones, she says. "Not only does it add a gleam and a glow, but you get a little extra moisture exactly where you need it."
LOOK 2: MEDIUM COVERAGE
STEP 1: PREP
With medium coverage, focus moisturizing around your eye area since this skin tends to be the driest, advises Soleimani. When properly hydrated, your product is less likely to sink in to fine lines or cling onto parched areas.
STEP 2: APPLY
For a seamless, medium-coverage finish, Soleimani recommends applying foundation with a damp BeautyBlender sponge. Try her technique: wet the sponge, squeeze out the excess water, and dab it onto a paper towel. Dip it into your foundation and roll it onto the skin, gently pressing down the sponge into the skin. "That really covers the pores," she says.
STEP 3: CONCEAL
When applying concealer start in the inner corners of the eye. "That's where you're darkest, so that's where you want to concentrate the most of the product."
LOOK 3: FULL COVERAGE
STEP 1: PREP
For high-definition, full-coverage makeup look, start with a pore-minimizer. "That's going to give your skin an airbrushed quality," says Soleimani.
STEP 2: APPLY
Use a brush to blend the product starting in the center of your face, (that's where the most discoloration is), blending out. To ensure your makeup doesn't get too heavy, Soleimani advises dabbing on concealer after your foundation is already in place—this way you can see where you need it the most. Choose a shade that closely matches your skin. When in doubt, go a little lighter. Press it into the inner corner of the eyes, the upper-cheekbone area, and down the bridge of the nose.
STEP 3: SET
Set your foundation with translucent powder for a high-definition flawless finish.
