Makeup Tips
How to Apply Makeup: Loose Powder Foundation
If you’ve never used loose powder or mineral makeup before, there’s a different technique to applying it than for cream or liquid foundations. Learning this new technique can take practice, even if you already know how to apply makeup. But before we get into teaching you the technique, we need to answer the question “why switch to mineral makeup?”
Well, first off, mineral makeup sits lighter on the skin, making it less likely to clog pores and better suited for skin that’s prone to breakouts. Secondly, mineral makeup is made using only natural mineral ingredients, so it’s a perfect fit for those with sensitive skin who need to avoid chemicals and preservatives. Mineral foundation looks great and feels great on your face. Here is our guide to achieving the perfect application with your mineral makeup foundation.
- Find the right color
The first step in applying your foundation is to ensure you have a shade that matches your skin tone well. This will give you a more natural look and make blending with your neck line a lot easier. The best way to choose the right shade is to match it with your neck by shaking a small amount of loose powder into the cap and using the tip of your finger to pick up a little bit of powder and rub it onto your neck. If the foundation stands out too much, it’s not the right shade, although it doesn’t have to be a perfect match. If the color is just a little off, you can still blend it well and make it look natural.
- Be sure to use primer
We have offered an in-depth guide on the benefits of using makeup primer before. Primer is a makeup essential and is especially crucial when it comes to mineral makeup and loose powder foundation. Since mineral makeup sits gently on the surface of the skin, a good gel primer can help hold the foundation to your face, giving your makeup a longer-lasting wear.
- Use concealer first to cover imperfections
After primer and before foundation, you should use concealer to cover any pigmentation issues on your skin. Pure Minerals offers two shades of concealer that are excellent for using with mineral foundation. To figure out exactly which shade is right for what purpose, read our concealer shade comparison article. The champagne concealer can even be used as an eye-area brightener!
- Apply with a round, soft-bristled brush
A nice rounded, soft-bristled brush, like a kabuki brush or a blush brush, will do nicely for the purpose of applying your foundation. Simply tap some loose powder into the cap of your makeup container, swirl the brush in the foundation, flip the brush over and tap the brush handle on the table to help the powder settle into the brush head. Then, using circular strokes, apply your foundation in an even layer on your face.
- Blend well, especially along your neck and jawline
Blending is a must when it comes to applying natural-looking foundation. To blend properly, use a blending brush or damp makeup sponge and work in soft strokes along the edge where your makeup stops. The idea here is to allow your foundation shade to fade into your natural skin tone so that your face doesn’t look outlined.
- Finish with a translucent finishing powder
Using a kabuki brush to apply a fine layer of translucent powder, like Pure Minerals Mineral Veil, can give your face the perfect finish and soft-focus glow.
This is only the beginning of what you can do with your mineral makeup. You can add blush to your cheeks for a pop of color and a natural rosy look. You can learn to contour by following our tutorial, and there are even some bronzer-related makeup hacks that you can use to take your makeup to the next level.