If, like us, you’re haunted by your teenage foundation days and visibly cringe every time you think about the ultra full coverage, cakey makeup you used to sport, then it’s likely you’ve developed an aversion to foundation as an adult. Unsure how to avoid that thick, painted-on look and much more comfortable with a spot conceal, we don’t blame you for avoiding foundation like your life depends on it.

But, just as our makeup tastes have evolved over the last decade, so too have the foundation formulas you can find filling the shelves of your favourite department stores. The thick, mousse-like formulas have taken a much needed hiatus and the subtle, skin-like textures have entered the chat. But we can’t expect the foundation to do all the hard yards for us. Here, we have five foundation application tips to ensure your base is as seamless and second skin-like as possible. Hint, hint: it starts way before the foundation is pumped out.

Without adequate skin prep, applying your foundation in a way that says I woke up like this is virtually impossible. Take it from supermodel Hailey Bieber, properly caring for your skin is the greatest thing you can do to ensure a seamless base. Our advice? Start with a hydrating serum (we love Biossance’s Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum and Laneige’s Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Serum) and lock this in with a buttery moisturiser suited to your skin type (our favourites include the Ole Henriksen Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturiser and the Kora Organics Tumeric Glow Moisturiser).

If you’re going to be wearing your foundation out and about during the day, also ensure you pop on an SPF50 that won’t pill under makeup. Think Ultra Violette’s Supreme Screen Hydrating Facial Skinscreen SPF50+ or Airyday’s Clear As Day SPF50+ Dreamscreen. And let all of these products sink into the skin for a good ten minutes before applying any primers or foundation to ensure an adequate barrier is built up against the makeup (this will help to prevent breakouts). 

Ah, primers. They’re the black sheep of the makeup world. Often disregarded as ‘excessive’ or ‘unnecessary’, they are actually incredibly useful when it comes to ensuring your foundation lasts all day and doesn’t become dry, cakey or cracked. In short: primers are a very important part of seamless foundation application.

Depending on your skin type, you’ll want to find a primer that meets your specific needs. If you fall on the oily side of the skin spectrum, opting for a mattifying primer for your T-zone will help keep shine at bay but won’t strip away any natural glow. We love the Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Blurring Primer and the Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer. If you’re after a primer to up the dewiness and keep your complexion plump and hydrated, we recommend the Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Primer and the Dior Backstage Face & Body Primer. 

Now that we’ve gotten the prep out of the way, we can finally talk about the actual foundation. Or, rather, how to apply it. Finding a formula that works for you is super personal, so we recommend going in store and chatting to a beauty professional about the shade, finish and coverage that suits you.

However, application-wise, we can all learn a thing or two from the celebrity makeup artists—less is more. And it’s all about placement. Rather than simply swiping two pumps across your whole face, it pays to delicately place the foundation where you need the coverage most. Common areas include around the chin, nose, eyes and forehead. Dot the product on sparingly (you can always add more) and let it dry slightly before blending to ensure it stays put and you get true coverage payoff.

Dora The Explorer was onto something when she said, “Swiper, no swiping”. When it comes to blending out your foundation, it is a no swiping zone. Rather, gently dab the product into the skin for a seamless blend. Whether you use a brush, beauty blender or your fingers, taking the time to buff the product into the skin will give the most natural, skin-like finish. And to our aforementioned point, it will also help you keep the product concentrated in the places you need it most and will let your natural skin shine through in the areas where coverage isn’t needed.

What’s the use of putting in all this hard work if you’re not going to set it in place before you walk out the door? Whether you prefer to use a loose powder (like the By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Powder) or a setting spray (like the Morphe Continuous Setting Mist), setting your foundation will ensure it stays fresh all day. You heard it here first.