a woman with a shaved head and earrings posing for a picturea woman with a shaved head and earrings posing for a picture

HOW TO APPLY FOUNDATION

Getting that smooth-looking, fresh faced base starts with finding and applying the right foundation. To help you get that my skin but better look, we’ve rounded up our top tips on how to apply foundation. Just keep on scrolling.

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a woman applying a cream to her face in a bathroom

4 STEPS OF APPLYING FOUNDATION

We want to make it as easy as possible for you to create that perfect base. That’s why we’ve put together four simple steps to applying foundation. With a little bit of know-how and some good products, we’ll help you master that natural-looking foundation finish.

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Vitamin E Gentle Face Wash

Step 1: Start with a blank canvas

As any good artist will tell you, prepping the surface is the key to applying any kind of smooth even coverage. And when it comes to your gorgeous mug, first that means a good wash. Try our excellent Vitamin E Gentle Facial Wash, an all-rounder that suits all skin types. The light, creamy texture helps to keep skin feeling like moisture has been locked in. Next is to let a good moisturiser sink in for 10 minutes. Our Vitamin E Moisture Cream helps restore hydration and gives your natural radiance a boost. Between these two hydrating pros, you’ll have the perfect clean, soft base for foundation to blend into.

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Instablur Primer Mattifyer

Step 2: Use a primer

The makeup artist’s secret to smooth and natural-looking foundation is a ‘primer’ which is essentially a ‘makeup base’. It’s hard to know if every tip and trick we hear about makeup is entirely necessary – it’s usually down to experimentation and personal preference. But most beauty experts tend to agree that a primer helps create an even base, which allows for foundation to go on more smoothly and last longer. If you’ve got normal to dry skin, give our **Hemp Serum-in-Primer**a spin for a flawless finish. It leaves skin feeling plumped with moisture, softer and instantly hydrated, prepping it for fresh, long-lasting makeup. It’s all the benefits of a serum with the protection of a primer.

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Fresh Nude Foundation

Step 3: APPLY LIQUID FOUNDATION

Time to apply a dreamy foundation onto your well-prepped canvas. For radiant, lightweight to medium coverage, head to our brilliant Fresh Nude Foundation. With 40 inclusive shades that cater to a variety of different undertones, there’s bound to be a match for you. Enriched with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, it’s perfect for all skin types and gives 24hr hydration. Use the recyclable* spatula to scoop out a small amount, dab on with your fingertips and then get all professional with our Fresh Nude Foundation Brush, gently buffing in circular motions around your face from the centre outwards. Get ready for natural yet amplified smooth-manoeuvring gorgeousness.

*Where local facilities allow

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a compact powder compact with a mirror on top

STEP 4: SET WITH A POWDER FOUNDATION

A setting powder is just what you need to seal the deal. Our Tea Tree Face Base will give you a matte, flawless finish that lasts all day. Enriched with Community Fair Trade tea tree oil, this buildable yet lightweight powder foundation conceals blemishes and helps to promote clearer-looking skin. And the best part? It’s available in 40 shades. The refillable case comes with a compact sponge that can be used to pat the powder in. Or just swirl our Domed Powder Brush in the powder and gently sweep across your T zone for a natural looking, velvety finish.

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a close up of a woman with a shaved head and earrings

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT FOUNDATION

When it comes to perfecting your base, it’s important to find the foundation that best suits your skin. And it’s also important to consider what type of coverage you like. Our guide breaks it all down and helps you navigate the ever-complicated world of foundation. After all, your foundation is the base of your full makeup look, so you want it to be a perfect match.

THE BEST WAY TO APPLY FOUNDATION

If you’re wondering what’s the best way to apply foundation, we’ve got you covered. The most obvious and convenient tool is those fingers of yours. Just make sure they’re clean and don’t have any other makeup on – or else you might end up with some unwanted splodges across your face. The light touch (dabbing or swirling motions) will help you get the smoothest and most even coverage. Want a more professional feel? Try our Fresh Nude Foundation Brush for a wonderfully sheer, smooth coverage. But remember that foundation doesn’t paint and prefers a gentle dab over an artistic swipe. Or, for a super natural finish, try our Buffing Brush – just dot foundation onto your face and then buff in using circular motions for a flawless, streak-free finish.

Tips for applying foundation

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Vitamin E Moisture Day Cream

Tip 1 - Always prep your skin

Less is definitely more when it comes to foundation. There are absolute musts when it comes to a natural look, that include prepping with a good cleanser and moisturiser. But then be confident that your natural healthy skin is the champion here and you’re simply enhancing it with foundation. Leave the smothering for when you’re icing your favourite choco cake.

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Man applying Fresh Nude Foundation

Tip 2 - Natural daylight is best

The makeup artist’s top tip, always find the best light you have to apply and check your work. Natural light is always best, so grab a makeup mirror and head to a window or else the best lighting at home, you can always have a check in your compact mirror or camera phone when you're outside in natural daylight. Congratulations – you look amazing.

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Swatch of foundation and makeup brush

Tip 3 - Don’t forget to blend

When you’re preparing your work of art, AKA your face, don’t neglect the surrounding areas like your neck and ears – they don’t need full coverage but include them in what’s happening on your face. A little careful blending will prevent the much feared funny-foundation-mask effect.

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Tea Tree Face Base

Tip 4 - Touch your makeup on the go

Never stray too far from home without an emergency touch-up-team. Our Tea Tree Face Base has a handy mirror and sponge – ideal for touching up any complexion imperfection, any time of day. And it’s buildable yet lightweight formula means you’ll never look cakey.

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a close up of a pressed powder foundation on a white surface

“Excellent colour match for my skin. Good coverage without being thick and matted. Excellent product.”

– FranH

About Fresh Nude Foundation

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How to apply concealer?

We don’t think there’s a human being on the planet who hasn’t reached out for a good concealer in a moment of complexion crisis and then praised its great blemish-disguising powers. But as with foundation, the big question we all want to ask the professionals is ‘how to apply concealer?’.

Our Vitamin C Concealer is a hero for your skin, whether you want to hide those dark circles, cover a blemish, add a little highlight or even contour. This lightweight, buildable formula hides a multitude of sins without creasing and comes in 20 shades, so you’re bound to find a match.

Use a lighter shade to cover any dark circles, shadows or discolouration. Want to hide a pesky blemish? Choose a shade that’s a perfect match for your skin tone or foundation. And to highlight or contour, try a shade that’s lighter or darker.

No matter your skin drama, a clean finger and a few dabs of this concealer will get you back on track.

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Range of Freestyle Multi-Tasking Colour

Finish off with some colour

So you’ve got the perfect, flawless finish but how about adding some colour?

Our Sheer Touch Lip & Cheek Tint is a moisturising multi-tasker that your skin will love. This buildable formula promises 12-hour long-lasting colour on lips, and seamlessly blends into the skin. Just a dab will give you a sheer, dewy hint of colour, or layer up for an intense, bold pop. And with five shades to choose from, you can switch it up depending on your mood.

Want to have a little more fun? Take our Freestyle Multi-tasking Colour for a spin. This buildable, blendable pigment comes in 10 versatile shades, with shimmer and matte finishes. The lightweight formula is enriched with Community Fair Trade coconut oil so that it easily slides across the skin – try it out whenever you’re feeling creative!