GIVE YOUR BASE MAKEUP A GLOW-UP WITH THESE MUST-TRY TIPS

Perfecting your base makeup is now more essential than ever. As beauty trends return to bold experimentation (think Euphoria-inspired eyeshadows and statement lip combos) a great base is no longer just an option. While you may already be familiar with the most popular tips on the topic – think applying a lightweight foundation with a sponge or having both a brightening and correcting concealer at hand – we’re here to share a few of the more overlooked pointers. Whether you’re just starting out on your makeup journey or aiming to upgrade your skills, read on for our top 5 must-try tips.

The number one secret to a flawless base? Your skincare. Start your glam by thoroughly exfoliating – this ensures a smoother surface before application, even under the scrutiny of camera flashes. To boost your glow, layer a serum like niacinamide or vitamin C on top. While many foundations are infused with actives and promise skincare benefits, there’s no substitute for a solid daily routine.

If you’ve got dry skin, a dewy foundation can help minimize patchiness and improve moisture. Those with oily skin are best served by balmy or powder foundations, with their mattifying, blurring effect. If you’re indecisive when it comes to shopping for a new foundation (we don’t blame you), just let your skin be the judge. Don’t chase the latest product on your feed – instead experiment with alternative formulas to discover your perfect match. You’ll both see and feel the difference.

Coverage is another critical factor when it comes to acing your base. Buildable foundations and concealers are great for fine-tuning coverage. With no-makeup makeup being 2020s’ signature beauty trend, low-to-medium coverage foundations are now a makeup bag essential. Warm some on the back of your hand, apply small amounts to a buffing brush, and take your time by working in layers for that airbrushed, barely-there finish. Even if you prefer the 2016-era full-coverage look, a foundation that lets you build is less likely to result in cakey makeup.

Still baking in your foundation? We’re not ruling out the method entirely, but baked powder can draw moisture out of already dry skin and fail to blend seamlessly with the rest of your makeup. Achieve a softer finish by gently pressing and rolling your powder into your skin with a tapered brush. Worried about your makeup melting away on a night out? Don’t be – that’s the beauty of a good setting spray. The best ones – like the must-have Morphe Continuous Setting Mist – deliver hours of security and come with heaps of hype as a testament to their performance.

Neglecting blush can sometimes leave your face feeling a bit flat. Applying blush re-introduces a healthy glow into your makeup – which is ideal, especially with summer on the horizon. Plus, blushes are just an overall great makeup investment. Whether the formula is liquid, cream or powder, they’re efficient multitaskers, doubling up as lipsticks and eyeshadows, too. In our blush guide, Junior Makeup Artist Isabelle Wilson recommends washing a rosy, peach or purple blush onto the apples of your cheeks, then dabbing the same shade onto your lips to unify your glam.