Q&A for How to Apply Powder Foundation

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  • Question
    Is powder foundation better for your skin?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    It depends on your skin type. Powder foundations are easy to apply and less likely to clog pores, but they can emphasize dryness and flakiness when worn on dry skin or get cakey and discolored when worn on very oily skin.
  • Question
    Is pressed powder foundation?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, pressed powder can be worn as a light foundation. It can also be layered over a light-coverage liquid foundation or used for touchups.
  • Question
    Can you use liquid concealer with powder foundation?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Yes. Just apply the concealer first. Powder foundations tend to be more translucent, so they're usually not suitable for color-correcting concealers.
  • Question
    Do you put liquid or powder foundation on first?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Liquid and cream products should always go under powder. So if you are using liquid and powder foundation, always apply the liquid first.
  • Question
    Should foundation be lighter or darker than your skin?
    Frankie Sanderson
    Makeup Artist & Stylist
    Franklin (Frankie) Sanderson is a Makeup Artist and Stylist and the Founder of TheStudeo, a styling business based in Washington DC that specializes in hairstyling, makeup, and personal image consulting services. He specializes in hair extensions, chemical services such as highlighting, Balayage, Japanese straightening, keratin treatments, and designer cuts. He has a BFA in Fashion Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and has trained at the L'Oreal Soho Academy, TIGI, Vidal Sassoon, Redken, and Wella. His clients include Nicole Kidman, Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey, Jane Lynch, and Alicia Keys.
    Makeup Artist & Stylist
    Expert Answer
    It's okay for foundation to be slightly lighter. However, you should avoid using a foundation that's too warm or too cool for your undertone. Otherwise, you'll be able to see an obvious foundation line along your jawline.
  • Question
    How do you make powder foundation look natural?
    Frankie Sanderson
    Makeup Artist & Stylist
    Franklin (Frankie) Sanderson is a Makeup Artist and Stylist and the Founder of TheStudeo, a styling business based in Washington DC that specializes in hairstyling, makeup, and personal image consulting services. He specializes in hair extensions, chemical services such as highlighting, Balayage, Japanese straightening, keratin treatments, and designer cuts. He has a BFA in Fashion Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and has trained at the L'Oreal Soho Academy, TIGI, Vidal Sassoon, Redken, and Wella. His clients include Nicole Kidman, Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey, Jane Lynch, and Alicia Keys.
    Makeup Artist & Stylist
    Expert Answer
    The first step will be finding the right shade of foundation. I suggest you ask someone working at a makeup counter to help you find a match. This way, you can make sure the foundation looks natural before making a purchase.
  • Question
    What are your top tips on how to apply powder foundation?
    Frankie Sanderson
    Makeup Artist & Stylist
    Franklin (Frankie) Sanderson is a Makeup Artist and Stylist and the Founder of TheStudeo, a styling business based in Washington DC that specializes in hairstyling, makeup, and personal image consulting services. He specializes in hair extensions, chemical services such as highlighting, Balayage, Japanese straightening, keratin treatments, and designer cuts. He has a BFA in Fashion Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and has trained at the L'Oreal Soho Academy, TIGI, Vidal Sassoon, Redken, and Wella. His clients include Nicole Kidman, Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey, Jane Lynch, and Alicia Keys.
    Makeup Artist & Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Place your loose powder in a tissue, then shake the powder out. That way, you won't apply a large amount at once, so it won't look cakey.
  • Question
    Is it necessary to apply setting powder after applying foundation powder?
    Leah Stitzel
    Community Answer
    It's not necessary, but if you're going to be out and unable to reapply for more than around 4 hours, setting powder will keep your foundation from settling into creases and coming off.
  • Question
    Can I apply it with a q-tip?
    Community Answer
    No. A q-tip would be too small to apply foundation with and wouldn't give you good coverage. For a more natural finish, a makeup brush or sponge is a much better choice.
  • Question
    Am I to use face cream before applying foundation?
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    Finish your skin care routine before you apply any makeup. Apply cream/moisturizer and give it time to soak into your skin (5-15 minutes), apply a primer, then your foundation.
  • Question
    Can I use the pad that came with the package to apply it?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can.
  • Question
    How do I stop the powder foundation from looking cakey?
    Community Answer
    Try spraying a dewy finishing matte spray after applying powder foundation and finishing powder.
  • Question
    What brush other than a kabuki brush should I use to apply powder foundation?
    Community Answer
    If you don't have a kabuki brush, you should use a brush that is less dense than others.
  • Question
    What's the difference between compact powder and powder foundation?
    Community Answer
    The biggest difference between the different types of foundations is the level of coverage. In most cases, liquid foundation has a broader range of coverage, from low to high coverage. The choice between liquid, powder and mousse is usually based on the skin type and personal preference.
  • Question
    Is it necessary to use a primer if you are not going to wear the foundation for the whole entire day?
    Pat Helvie
    Community Answer
    No, it isn't necessary but it will help when you apply your foundation to go on better and can blur some of those lines, if you have any.
  • Question
    I apply primer, then I apply powder foundation. Can I then apply a liquid foundation?
    Sasha Haley
    Community Answer
    This will work well if you reverse steps two and three, as putting liquids or creams over powders can make your foundation streaky and inconsistent.
  • Question
    Can I use setting powder on bare skin without foundation? After the setting powder is applied, I put on my pressed/foundation powder followed by my other make up rituals like eyes, cheeks and lips
    Elise Ott
    Community Answer
    While a bit of setting powder on bare skin can help with oiliness throughout the day, it would be best to apply powder foundation first, and then put the setting powder on top. You may find that you don't need setting powder at all with powder foundation, so experiment with a few different options!
  • Question
    How do I apply powder foundation and under eye concealer and which one goes first?
    Elise Ott
    Community Answer
    A good rule of thumb to follow is to always put powders on top of creams. In this case, you would want to apply the under eye concealer first, and follow that by applying powder foundation.
  • Question
    Does foundation powder require powder after applied?
    Pat Helvie
    Community Answer
    No, but a light dusting of translucent powder will help set your makeup and help it to stay on better.
  • Question
    When is swatch the powder the colour is excellent. But when applying all over , the colour is not matching and becomes darker
    Claire Compton
    Community Answer
    Normally with powder foundation, you want to use what's called a "light-hand", which means only using a little powder, because if you use too much, you can end up looking "odd", Also, make sure you blend it onto your neck and ears, without that, it can make you look orange.
  • Question
    Should you use an oil based or water based primer with powder foundation?
    Claire Compton
    Community Answer
    Oil based would be the best, because while water primer is great for moisturizing your skin, powder doesn't cling to it as well as it would with oil based.
  • Question
    How do you reapply sunblock during the day if you are wearing the powder foundation?
    Hannah Rose Mason
    Community Answer
    Use a setting spray with SPF included so you can just apply more of that throughout the day if necessary. If that's not available, apply a spray-on sunblock so as not to mess up the makeup. The foundation will help with protecting your skin, but don't rely on it by itself.
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