Natural Looking Foundation: How to Apply Foundation and Avoid Cakey Makeup

06 Jun 2023

Woman with a natural makeup look wearing natural looking foundation

Achieving a natural look with foundation can be particularly tricky. Foundation that looks like a second skin and almost invisible to the eye isn’t as easy as it may seem. Selecting the right formula, shade, and using application techniques can help to create a foundation that mimics the look of your skin – but even better.

What IS Natural Looking Foundation?

Natural looking foundation is a type of makeup that is designed to blend seamlessly with your skin, creating a flawless but natural-looking finish. The formula should be lightweight and breathable and not thick and cakey upon application.

How to Apply Foundation for a Natural Look

If you’re looking to create a natural finish to your makeup with natural looking foundation, there are several steps you can take to ensure that the finished look is seamless and undetectable.

Step 1: Prep your skin before applying foundation. It’s important to start with a clean, moisturized face. After cleansing the skin apply a face serum and moisturizer (and sunscreen if wearing makeup during the day) Our Advanced Génifique Face Serum is a great option to prep your face for foundation and makeup.

Step 2: Use a face primer. A face primer is a key component in smoothing your skin and providing a smooth and seamless base for your foundation. For a natural look try our Priming Serum which gives skin up to 24 hours of hydration and contains 1% Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide. To apply primer: Smooth it over the skin and allow it to set before applying your foundation.

Step 3: Choose the right foundation. When selecting a natural looking foundation, it’s important to choose a lightweight formula that matches your skin tone, texture, and skin type. Look for a foundation that has a natural skin-like finish, like our Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care and Glow Foundation for a natural-glowy finish on normal to dry skin types, or our Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation for a natural-matte finish on combination to oily skin types.

Step 4: Apply foundation. The technique you use to apply your foundation may change how your makeup looks. For a skin-like finish, try using your fingers to blend foundation over the skin. Start at the center of your face and blend outward and make sure to blend the foundation into your hairline and jawline for a seamless finish. After using your fingers to apply foundation use a brush or sponge to soften any edges and blend the product further into the skin.

Step 5: Use concealer for additional coverage. If you have any blemishes, dark circles, or redness, use a concealer to conceal and blur these areas rather than piling on a lot of foundation. Our Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Concealer is best for full coverage and a matte finish while proving up to 24-hour hydration, and our Tient Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Serum Concealer provides medium buildable coverage with skin-loving ingredients for a natural, soft glow finish. Use a small brush or your fingers to apply your concealer and blend it into the natural looking foundation for a seamless makeup look.

Step 6: Set foundation in place. For a natural skin like finish to your makeup consider moving away from an all-over matte face powder. Instead, set your makeup into place with a makeup setting spray. If you have oily skin use a small brush to apply a small amount of powder just to areas where makeup is likely to get shiny (the forehead, chin, and down the center of the nose).

Foundation Tips for Achieving a Natural Makeup Look with Foundation

oman wearing natural looking foundation for a natural makeup look on one side of her face for comparison

· Less is more: Apply foundation in thin layers, building coverage gradually until you achieve your desired level of coverage.
· Match your undertone: When choosing a natural looking foundation, make sure it matches your skin’s undertone (warm, cool, or neutral) for a seamless finish.
· Use a damp sponge: Using a damp sponge to apply foundation can help blend it into the skin for a more natural finish.
· Blend, blend, blend: The key to a natural look with foundation is blending. Make sure to blend your foundation into your hairline, jawline, and neck for a seamless finish.
· Don’t use too much: The key is to start with a pea sized amount of product and use a concealer after to avoid makeup looking cakey.
· Choose the right lighting: When applying foundation, make sure to do so in natural light to ensure you’re getting the most accurate color match.

How to Avoid Cakey Foundation

Using the above methods to apply your foundation and following our natural looking foundation tips can help ensure your makeup and foundation doesn’t look cakey. The key is to always use the smallest amount of product possible and make sure to blend!

Foundation Tips for Oily Skin

Foundation Tips for Dry Skin

Which Foundation Is Best for Me?

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