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Tip: Best way to apply liquid foundation

55 Comments

A couple of weeks ago, I pick up a great tip from a Clarins makeup trainer that I wanted to share with you. It was a bit of a “OMG Why didn’t I think of that?” moment for me and it will save us all a lot of time in the morning.

This tip is for those who use liquid foundation and especially useful for those who don’t use liquid foundation but want to learn the best way to use it so it does not look streaky nor too thick. I wish I’d learnt this earlier 😛

If you use liquid foundation, the best way to apply liquid foundation is like this.

  • Pump the liquid foundation into the palm of your hand (1-2 pumps usually suffice depending on the formula).
  • Using the other hand, spread the foundation between the palms of both hands
  • Apply to face starting from the center outwards to the hairline
  • Blend

Now wasn’t that easy? Ever since I picked it up, I’ve been trying it, and I can tell you it saves me so much time in the morning, I’m no longer liquid foundation averse!

There are other benefits I have found from using this method.

  • The liquid foundation blends more quickly into my skin
  • The warmth from my fingers helps the liquid foundation blend better and apply smoother on the skin
  • Its faster and more convenient to apply

I have always used my hands to apply liquid foundation in the past but I never thought to use my whole palm. The only drawback I’ve found using fingers is that you’d have to wash your hands after you are done. I usually wipe off on a piece of tissue paper, do the rest of my makeup and then wash my hands before leaving for work.

What if you don’t want to use your palm or are used to using your fingers? Then, try to use your 3rd and 4th finger to apply and use the whole finger, not just the finger tips.

Using just the fingertips to apply foundation can cause it to be patchy and will take you ages. Using the whole finger, you cover a wider area more quickly and it blends better.

If you prefer to use brushes or sponges, go right ahead 🙂 I just prefer to use my hands or fingers to do my makeup and this was a Eureka moment for me.

I hope this tips helps you too! If you decide to try it, or already apply your liquid foundation this way, do share your thoughts! 😀

UPDATE: If you want to use a brush to apply foundation, this is the best and most effective tip I’ve picked up and you get a picture tutorial too! 🙂

Paris B

Note: Based on comments, some people have mentioned that this method is wasteful because you use more foundation. Actually, its not. You use the exact same amount as you would otherwise. So, if you always use 1 pump or even 1/2 pump of liquid foundation, go right ahead. I mentioned 1-2 pumps because some formula are thicker than others and pump out less but different brands and different pumps operate differently. You can see my usual amount used in the 1st picture – its very little. I actually found myself using less because I like a lighter sheer look which this method gives me. But if you do find yourself using more foundation than usual do feel free to share your thoughts 🙂

Note #2: You can try this other method too for a lighter sheerer coverage

55 Insightful comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION

55 comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION

  1. cool tip! I’ll give it a try! the technique makes sense too
    only thing is that I don’t like to get my palms dirty :p

    Reply

    • I’m already using my hands for nearly every thing else so it didn’t make much difference to me 🙂 For those who use brushes, it will make a diff.

      Reply

  3. Bonjour Paris.
    This method is like applying moisturiser…no?
    I do use this method when I am applying tinted moisturiser…sometimes with really blendable liquid foundation (like Dior Pure Light, shame they discontinued it and replace it with Nude, which I find the consistency slightly thicker)…especially when I am lazy.
    Else, I would use a foundation brush for even application or a stippling brush for an airbrushed application 🙂

    Reply

    • Bonjour Lee! Yes its similar to applying moisturizer which is why it made so much sense hehe… I never got the hang of foundation brushes 😀

      Reply

    • Hi lee – did you ever find a replacement for Dior Pure light that you would recommend… I’ve been searching high and low and cant find anything as good?

      Thanks

      Simmie

      Reply

  5. lol, i feel like you wrote this post for me *blushes*, especially when i saw the culprit in your photo – Diorskin nude foundation! but somehow…this doesnt quite “apply” haha! to me as i only put foundation on me nose.

    and also…not to sound jaded or anything..but it seems that these people create liquid foundation that way so that there’d be a lot of wastage. hmmmm. anarchy!

    still. am searching for a good primer ever since i got ur advice. silly me, i tot makeup base n primer were the same thing. *gulps*

    Reply

    • You can still do the same for your nose – just pump out less 😉 You might find it goes on smoother. I’m presently liking Smashbox primer. Going to get the full size soon!

      Reply

  6. This is very helpful especially for someone like me who always rushing to go office but cannot bear going out without makeup ^_____^

    Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  7. Fast yes, but also seems a tad wasteful to me? 🙁

    But then again, I do practice this with my tinted moisturizer so it can’t be all that much of a difference, except that the price difference might show up when you start finishing off your liquid foundy faster… 😛

    Reply

    • Actually, no. Its not wasteful at all because you’d use about the same amount of foundation you’d use otherwise – less in fact! I find it more wasteful to use a brush or sponge because those absorb the liquid and hands don’t 🙂 I’ve been experimenting, and I always use about 1 pump of liquid foundation anyway for all the brands and I’m not doing anything different using this method, except for application

      Besides, if our foundation don’t finish, there’s no excuse to buy another 😉

      Reply

  8. I use my fingers to apply tinted moisturizer and its definitely faster than a brush / sponge, especially since you just have to wash your hands rather than a brush or sponge afterwards.
    However, I could see the advantage of a stippling sponge (like the Beauty Blender) being that it doesn’t pull at the skin as much compared with using fingers. Still, in a pinch a sponge takes too long for me!

    Reply

    • Oh yeah I have the Sonia Kashuk beauty blender dupe thing. Used it twice and I don’t know where it is anymore because it drank up my foundation and took too long to apply 😛

      Reply

  9. Wonderful tip PB, I use a foundation brush to gently apply it on areas needed and I do start at the center of my face too going outward to the hairline, and I use my fingers to blend the rest 😀

    Reply

  12. i’ve been using this method with my BB cream and its easier to blend then using my fingers or brushes 🙂

    Reply

  14. I still prefer using a brush or sponge. I find I need to apply more pressure if using my fingers and my skin gets red very easily so I try to minimise having to rub / pat too much.

    Reply

  16. I just read your article this afternoon and bought L’oreal white perfect Pearl. Just using the said foundation twice. Before I never apply foundation on my face only moisturizing :-). Thanks to share about how using foundation. Same with me like Eureka 🙂

    Reply

  17. ohhhhhh apparently I’m been doing the correct thing! Hahahaha… the reason I’m using my ‘whole’ fingers n sometimes whole palms in applying foundation is because I don’t know how to use brush or sponge ! Hehehehe… and I thought it will be fast if i can apply liquid foundation in a large area. Yes, I agreed with Paris. This method doesn’t waste your foundation as from my expenriences, I’m still using the same amount of liquid (1 pump of Maybelline Angelfit Liquid Foundation) for my whole face. Only 1 problem for me, how do I make sure there’s no foundation stick on my hairline? I’ve tried to rub them off but always ended up dirty…

    Reply

  18. Paris, makeup base and primer is NOT the same thing? Mind to explain dear? Don’t quite understand here. Thanks much! 😛

    Anyways…I’ve been using this palms all this while too. Loving this method, saves me so much time in the mornings! And I agree with you Paris, this method definitely doesn’t cause much wastage. In fact, I think it even minimizes it. 🙂 And also, I’m not sure if I’m doing the right thing, but after makeup base, I usually pump 3:1 parts of liquid foundation to moisturizer onto my palms then mix then apply on face – sort of like a self-made tinted moisturizer with the coverage of a foundation. Then apply on face with my palms. Hehehe. Anyhow, thanks for the tip, Paris! *loves* 😀

    Reply

    • Oh dear did I say they aren’t the same? They sure do act the same way ie form a base for makeup to go on. Perhaps I was mistaken *confused*

      Thanks for sharing your tip. Mixing foundation with moisturizer is a good way to sheer out heavy or thick liquid foundation too.

      Reply

  19. Would applying with fingers still create a nice flawless look ? I wanted to get the brush but now after reading this blog [ btw reallly good job (: ] Im unsure bout getting it! I think it would be wasting the product =/

    wats ur 2 cents? 😀 thank you!

    Reply

    • Personally I find that a brush, if used properly can give a more air brushed finish. Using this method gives a sheerer finish. But since I apply loose powder over it all, I’m happy using this method. Why not try using this method and see how you like it and if you don’t then get the brush 🙂

      Reply

  20. Excellent tip and thank you very much for sharing because this only makes me go back to the old-fashioned makeup application.

    And everyone please remember: Always thoroughly wash your hands before application since they are the dirtiest of our body. 🙂

    This, as well, only also pushes us to wash our hands more often afterwards because we are healthier when we do!

    Merci Paris! 🙂

    Reply

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