How to Mix Foundation

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Foundation is the base of your entire face makeup, which is why it’s so important to find the right shade for you. If you’re buying foundation online or at a drugstore, it can be hard to find an exact match for your skin tone, color, and undertones. You can try mixing a few shades of your foundation to find the perfect match for your skin every month of the year.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Choosing Compatible Formulas

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  1. Find your undertones by looking at the veins in your wrist under natural light. If they are green, you have warm undertones. If they are blue or purple, you have cool undertones. If you can’t tell the difference or they look green and blue, you probably have neutral undertones. [1]
    • If you have neutral undertones, you can pull off either warm or cool shades of foundation.
    • You can mix warm and cool toned foundation if you want a little bit of both.
  2. Matte and dewy finishes don’t mix well together since one is more oily than the other. As you pick out your foundation, try to choose ones that have similar formulas to avoid uneven mixes. [2]
    • Matte finishes are great if you have oily skin since they will tamp down on shine.
    • Dewy finishes are nice if you have dry or flaky skin since they can bring some moisture back into your face.
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  3. Some foundations are great for a full-coverage glam look, while others give more of a subtle, even skin tone. You can choose between light, medium, and full-coverage foundations to find one that’s right for you. Make sure each foundation you buy is the same coverage to avoid splotchy-looking foundation. [3]
    • If you aren’t a fan of full-coverage liquid foundation, you can choose a BB cream for a lighter feel.
  4. Although powder and stick foundations are great, they don’t mix well. Stick to liquid or cream foundation if you want to mix yours, and choose powder or stick foundation to add color to your face afterward if you need to. [4]
  5. Make sure they both have the same undertones as your skin, but make the lighter one 1 to 2 shades lighter than the darker one. Depending on how tan you get in the summer, you may need an even wider range of shades. [5]

    Tip: If you aren’t sure which shade of foundation to buy, wait until each season (summer and winter) and then get color matched at a professional makeup counter.

  6. Put 1 to 2 drops of green color-correcting fluid into your foundation to neutralize any redness or blemishes you may have. Add 1 to 2 drops of orange color-correcting fluid into your foundation to cover up any sun spots or dark areas. [6]
    • You can find liquid color correctors at most beauty supply stores.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Blending Cream Foundation on Your Face

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Mix Foundation
    Use a gentle cleanser and warm water to rid your face of oils and dirt. Then, apply a thin layer of moisturizer all over and let it dry for about 15 minutes before you put on your foundation. [7]
    • Starting with a clean base will give you more of an even coverage and make you less prone to breakouts.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Mix Foundation
    Use your finger to gently place small dots of foundation on your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Stick to the inside of your face for now when you use the lighter foundation. [8]
    • Adding a lighter foundation to the inside of your face brightens it up.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Mix Foundation
    Use a blending sponge or brush to pat the lighter foundation on your face. Move outwards toward your hairline and jawline in small, circular motions for the best coverage. [9]
    • Don’t go all the way up to your hairline or jawline just yet, but take the foundation up as far as it will go.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Mix Foundation
    Place small dots of the darker foundation near your hairline and jawline on top of any of the lighter foundation. If it’s the winter, put 2 to 3 dots of the dark foundation on either side of your face to start. If it’s the summer, go with 4 or 5 on each side of your face. [10]
    • You can always add more dark foundation, but you can’t take it off that easily.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Mix Foundation
    Grab your blending sponge or brush and gently pat the darker foundation on your skin. Then, pull the 2 foundation shades together by using your sponge or brush all over your face to blend them in small, circular motions. [11]

    Tip: Make sure the coverage is even all over to avoid looking streaky.

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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Mixing Liquid Foundation Together

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  1. Dab a small amount of full-coverage foundation onto a plastic dish. Add about the same amount of fragrance-free face lotion to the foundation, then mix them with a stiff makeup brush. [12]
    • This will make your foundation more like a tinted moisturizer, so the coverage looks and feels lighter.
    • You can also put a few pigment drops in a lighter coverage foundation to make it more full coverage. [13]
  2. Use a plastic, glass, or parchment paper surface to put your foundation on. When your skin is lighter, try adding a lot more of your light foundation and only a little bit of the dark foundation to find your perfect shade. [14]

    Tip: A lighter shade of foundation is great for the winter months when you haven't’ been out in the sun very much.

  3. Lay out a piece of parchment paper or a plastic lid, then pump or pour out your foundation. Use much more of the dark foundation that you have when your skin is more tan. [15]
    • If you haven’t been out in the sun for very long, you might not need to go as dark. Adjust the ratio as you need to.
    • Darker foundation helps when you get more tan in the summer.
  4. Put your foundation onto a plastic dish, glass lid, or a piece of parchment paper. Try using an even amount of each foundation and adjusting the ratio as your skin gets lighter or darker throughout the year. [16]
    • At the beginning of spring, your skin will probably still be close to your winter shade. At the beginning of fall, your skin will still be close to your summer shade.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Mix Foundation
    Make sure your foundation is mixed evenly and smoothly. Use a brush instead of your finger so you don’t add any oil or dirt to the mix. [17]
    • A stiff makeup brush will work better than a fluffy one.
    • Make sure your makeup brush is clean before you use it to mix so it doesn’t add in any residual foundation.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Mix Foundation
    Before applying the foundation all over your face, take a small dot of it and put it underneath your jawline on your neck. See if the shade is close to what your neck is right now. [18]
    • Your face may be lighter than your neck if you’ve been wearing foundation when you go outside. That’s why it’s important to match the color to your neck, not your face.
  7. You may need to adjust your foundation ratio, especially during the spring and fall. Keep adding in lighter or darker foundation in small, 1-dot increments until you find the shade that matches your skin right now. [19]
    • It’s better to mix your foundation in small batches so you don’t end up wasting any.
  8. Apply your foundation with a blending sponge. Dab a few small dots of your foundation mix onto your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Blend the foundation in small, circular motions upwards and outwards. Add more foundation if you need to for an even, flawless look. [20]
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      Tips

      • The shade of your skin changes a lot based on how much sun you are getting. Don’t get frustrated if you have to mix up a few types of foundation until you find your perfect shade.
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      Things You’ll Need

      Blending Cream Foundation on Your Face

      • Face cleanser
      • Moisturizer
      • Light cream foundation
      • Dark cream foundation
      • Blending brush or sponge

      Mixing Liquid Foundation Together

      • Light liquid foundation
      • Dark liquid foundation
      • Glass or plastic dish
      • Stiff makeup brush

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/makeup-tips/face/how-to-determine-your-skin-tone-and-undertone.html
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOhki41kaRE&feature=youtu.be&t=135
      3. ↑ https://www.makeupartistedu.org/custom-blend-foundation/
      4. ↑ https://www.makeupartistedu.org/custom-blend-foundation/
      5. ↑ https://www.makeupartistedu.org/custom-blend-foundation/
      6. ↑ https://www.makeupartistedu.org/correcting-concealing-and-camouflaging/
      7. ↑ https://www.makeupartistedu.org/custom-blend-foundation/
      8. ↑ https://www.makeupartistedu.org/custom-blend-foundation/
      9. ↑ https://www.makeupartistedu.org/custom-blend-foundation/
      1. ↑ https://www.makeupartistedu.org/custom-blend-foundation/
      2. ↑ https://www.makeupartistedu.org/custom-blend-foundation/
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouzaloAe1pg&feature=youtu.be&t=112
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouzaloAe1pg&feature=youtu.be&t=130
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP_DgKziVrM&feature=youtu.be&t=597
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouzaloAe1pg&feature=youtu.be&t=79
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouzaloAe1pg&feature=youtu.be&t=79
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouzaloAe1pg&feature=youtu.be&t=118
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP_DgKziVrM&feature=youtu.be&t=615
      10. ↑ https://www.makeupartistedu.org/custom-blend-foundation/
      11. ↑ https://www.makeupartistedu.org/custom-blend-foundation/

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