Application Tips for Natural Foundation
When trying to achieve a natural everyday makeup look or that desired 'no makeup makeup' look, people often turn to organic makeup brands to find the right products.
Our Essential Foundation, a bestseller since JoAnn first created Sappho in 2008, works like most light to medium coverage foundations but its natural, skin-loving, healthy ingredient list might result in a different finish than some are be used to. For example, those used to applying mainstream, silicone-heavy formulas may find they'll need to adjust their application style and their expectation of a 'mask-like' finish. It's not about doing it wrong, but more about learning how to apply natural foundation, which is a formula free of synthetic ingredients. Our impeccable organic foundation captures all that is beautiful about skin, instead of masking issues and potentially making them worst.
We've rounded up some pro makeup artist application tips to make everyday foundation application a breeze.
1. Foundation Brush
Literally made for this.
Using a classic foundation brush makes it easy to work quickly, as some natural formulas can dry faster than you're used to. Starting with generous dots across the face or a good serving of foundation on the back of the hand, use brush in a crosshatch motion first, working outwards from the nose. Finish with painting motions, again from the centre to the outer edges and down the jawline onto the neck if needed.
2. Makeup Sponge
Go for washable or compostable options when available.
Makeup sponges can be used with natural foundation as well. Simply dampen your sponge before starting, place a generous dollop of foundation on the back of the hand or compact mirror, then grab product with the sponge and apply from the centre out, favouring dabbing motions. Build coverage as needed.
3. Fingertips
No tools necessary.
Applying natural foundation with clean fingertips is easy and allows to build up the application as needed, to cover redness, discolourations, blemishes, etc. in specific areas where additional coverage is needed. First, wash hands and fingernails thoroughly. Placing generous dots of foundation on forehead, nose, cheeks and chin first, use a gentle patting motion to apply quickly and without streaking.
4. Buffer Brush
A must-have, magical tool.
Buffer brushes are both soft and firm at the same time, allowing for multiple types of use. Start as with previous techniques, with dots on face or the back of the hand, and apply foundation using gentle circular motions from the centre towards the hairline and jawline. Build coverage as needed and obtain a flawless look by finishing application using same circular motions to blend and buff as product dries.
5. Blush Brush
A clever hack for limited brush selections.
Using any full, compact, dense brush like some blush brushes, notably ours, or flat, angled, kabuki-style brush, can achieve a similar effect to a buffer brush, when using circular motions for foundation application. Here too, it is recommended to buff areas that need it at the end to obtain an even, professional finish.
More pro tips for a perfect foundation finish:
- Prep skin first: like any foundation, natural formulas work best on cleansed, regularly exfoliated and well-moisturized skin
- Using a makeup primer for your skin type can help reduce the appearance of lines and pores, control oil production or extend wear time
- Build coverage from light to medium, in layers all-over, or locally in certain areas by patting more product on with fingers where needed
- Extend application lower than jawline, to blend product down if neck and face are quite different in colour
- Use a buffer brush or a dense flat brush to gently even out application lines, blur out pores or unevenness to obtain a flawless, airbrush-like finish
- Top makeup with a finishing powder (loose or compact) on areas that tend to produce more sebum, or all-over to reduce shine and extend wear, especially for camera use
- Experiment to obtain more hydration when needed, a dewier finish, or a thinner tinted-moisturizer-like application, by adding drops of favourite serums, face oils, creams or hyaluronic acid
Our Essential Foundation was developed and perfected for professional use when JoAnn worked on film and television sets, as a non-toxic makeup alternative in her pro kit. Its finish makes it great for camera, yet feels completely weightless and provides natural-feeling coverage: it's what makes it one of the best natural foundations out there. Our loyal customers have adopted the Essential Foundation as part of their everyday beauty routine because it is effective, works on sensitive skin as well as oily skin, wears well throughout the day and doesn't feel or look cakey. Leave a comment or submit a product review and tell us what you think!
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