How to Achieve a Flawless Finish

One of the challenges I faced as a beginner makeup artist was achieving a flawless finish. I wanted the same airbrushed, retouched, & edited skin that I saw on magazines, billboards, etc. The biggest misconception I realized is that makeup can eliminate wrinkles, bumps/acne, scarring, or any other texture of the skin. Makeup can definitely lessen the appearance of any texture, but it is impossible to eliminate it completely. A flawless finish is all about the correct preparation & application to enhance your features. This is a reminder that makeup is an enhancement to your beautiful canvas rather than a mask to cover it!

Learning your skin type is the first step in achieving a flawless finish. There are five different skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination, & sensitive. Understanding your skin type allows the right hydration, so your makeup can layer seamlessly without appearing too oily or dry. Skin prep is often overlooked as a beginner makeup artist, but it creates the difference between a smooth & seamless finish or a patchy & cakey finish. Want to know your skin type? Watch this quick YouTube video to learn more.

Priming is an optional step based on the finish you seek. For example, if you have larger pores you want to minimize, then you use a pore blurring primer to layer underneath your foundation. It’s important to note that pore minimizing or mattifying primers often have a silicone base, so you want to layer a foundation with a silicone base to avoid an uneven application. Likewise, hydrating or dewy primers are often water-based, so it’s best to layer with a hydrating or water-based foundation. There’s primers for other purposes in terms of grip, longevity, & more, but you can always mix & match primers, too.

Foundation is the next step we’ll focus on in layering base, or face, products. You should consider your skin type when choosing which foundation to apply. Foundations that suits your skin type will provide a smoother finish & longer lasting power. Matte foundations are best for oily skin, whereas dewy or luminous foundations are better for dry skin. Matte or dewy foundation can be used for normal or combination skin, yet a primer may be helpful in achieving a smooth & flawless finish.

The last aspect of your base routine to consider is the layering process. There’s no particular order in applying base products. Foundation can be applied before or after other base products, such as concealer, blush, or bronzer. However, you need to consider the formulations when choosing the order of product application. Liquid or cream products should always be applied before power products. If you apply powder products before liquid or cream products, then the products may separate or cause patchiness on the skin. Applying a pressed or loose finishing powder should be last to set the makeup. Using a velour powder puff to press the powder into the skin provides the best blurring effect to achieve a flawless finish.