Everything You Need to Know About Applying Powder Foundation

Powder foundation is the unsung hero of achieving lighter coverage for your skin. It gets a bad rap because some claim it will go on cakey, dry out your skin, or settle into facial lines. But if you know the tricks, you can have a smooth application every time—no matter your skin type or tone. Here’s your how-to guide.  

As with any foundation, prep is key. Cleanse and moisturize your face before applying powder foundation, but make sure your moisturizer sinks in completely. Otherwise, the powder foundation will sit on top of it and might wear off faster.

To find the right color for your skin tone and be sure you’ve picked the right match for your skin, dip a Q-tip into the foundation and draw a line along your jawline. Is the line invisible? Voila, you’ve chosen correctly. Though if you can see this line, you’ll need to keep experimenting until you hit the right shade.

While it’s often okay to use your fingers to even out  liquid foundation, that technique is a big no no with powder foundation. For best coverage, apply with a dense makeup brush or a sponge. It's the only way to really spread out and dig into your skin properly.