Putting on foundation with dirty hands can clog your pores and potentially give you acne.

Just like your hands, your skin can pick up a lot of dirt and germs throughout the day. You always want to start with a clean base when putting on makeup.

Putting on moisturizer before foundation will lock in hydration to avoid drying your skin out. [5] X Expert Source Nine MorrisonExpert Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 3 September 2018. Even if you have oily skin, you should use moisturizer to balance out the moisture levels in your face. This can even cut down on the amount of oil that your skin produces. [6] X Expert Source Nine MorrisonExpert Hair Stylist Expert Interview. 3 September 2018.

Pick a primer that’s good for your skin type. For example, if you have oily skin, you might choose a primer that cuts down on oil and shine. Or, if you have dry skin, you might pick a moisturizing primer to reduce flakiness throughout the day. Makeup primer helps to close your pores and create a smooth, even base for your makeup to go on top. Your T-zone produces the most oil throughout the day, which is why you need to focus on that area for your primer application.

Liquid foundation is the easiest to smooth out with your fingers. Powder and stick foundation tend to create streaks on your face if you don’t use a brush.

For faster coverage, use both your pointer finger and your middle finger at the same time.

Anytime you need more product, use your finger to dip into the foundation on the back of your hand. If you’re going for a full coverage foundation, apply more. If it’s a light coverage foundation, apply less.

The smoothing motion will rub the foundation into the creases and contours of your skin, making it look more natural.

As your foundation settles and dries, it will adhere to the contours of your skin and look more natural. If you think it’s looking a little strange, give it 5 minutes to dry and then take another look. You might be surprised at how much better it looks!

If you’re using a concealer, go with liquid concealer and apply it with your fingertips the same way you applied your foundation.