How to Apply Liquid Foundation

Nobody's perfect, but, with just a little bit of foundation, your complexion can be.

Step 1: Choose the right color Choose a foundation that matches your skin exactly. To see if you have the right color, apply a lightly blended swipe along your jawline in natural daylight—the right color should remain unnoticeable.
Step 2: Wash your face Wash your face with warm water and a facial cleanser. You never want to apply makeup to a dirty face.
Step 3: Moisturize Massage a bit of non-comedogenic facial moisturizer into your skin.
Step 4: Shake the bottle Shake the bottle of foundation thoroughly before using it.
Step 5: Squirt foundation on hand Squirt some foundation onto the back of your hand and spread it out with your finger. Dip the sponge in the foundation.
TIP: Make sure your sponge is damp, otherwise it will soak up your foundation.
Step 6: Apply foundation Apply the foundation starting in the middle of your face and work your way outward. Blend a thin, even layer into your hairline and beyond your jawline so that there are no discernible foundation lines.
Step 7: Apply concealer With a concealer brush or your ring or pinky finger, apply concealer to any blemished areas that were not muted with foundation.
Step 8: Dust on powder Finally, lightly dust on some translucent powder to keep the foundation in place. Perfect.
FACT: In his essay "In Praise of Cosmetics," French critic and poet Charles Baudelaire wrote, "All which is beautiful and noble is the result of reason and calculation."