Should You Be Applying Your Foundation Last?
Decide for yourself as L'OFFICIEL weighs the pros and cons of this unorthodox makeup technique.
While there are several makeup steps that are universally agreed upon, like wearing sunscreen and skincare before applying makeup, there is one that is always a hot topic for discussion. Should you apply foundation before proceeding to the rest of your makeup or after you’ve done your eyes and contour? Whether you’re on team foundation first or foundation last (or you’re a neutral bystander), L’OFFICIEL discusses the benefits of each method.
Benefits of Applying Foundation Last
While we’re used to the traditional method of applying foundation before proceeding to the rest of our face makeup, reversing this order may prove beneficial for a more glamorous look. Makeup artist Scott Barnes, also known as the mastermind behind J.Lo’s glow, prefers to let the cream contour do all the work under the foundation for a more seamless, photoshoot-ready appearance. Similarly, for highlighter, Fenty Beauty Global Makeup Artist Priscilla Ono uses a cream highlighter under foundation to give off a glow from within. Topping everything off with a powdered highlighter can often accentuate the skin texture.
One of the most notable pros to wearing eyeshadow first is to avoid any eyeshadow fallout ruining your already completed base. When going for a dramatic smokey eye or a look requiring glitter, eyeshadow fallout will always find its way to fall under the eyes. Wiping away the fallout with a makeup remover or makeup wipe could either smear the shadow even more or take off any preexisting foundation. Celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta prefers using eyeshadow first for both extravagant and natural looks, even going as far as applying eye patches to catch any unnecessary fallout while prepping the under-eyes for concealer.
If you tend to have a heavy hand when applying face makeup, applying foundation after eye makeup will help with this issue. Having already done eyes will help you get a better feel of the overall look, allowing you to easily avoid going ham on the foundation and concealer.
Benefits of Applying Foundation First
Applying foundation on top of other face makeup will help create a seamless appearance, however, it’s not necessary for a casual everyday look with minimal contouring. Even though some professionals swear by doing foundation last, mastering this technique takes practice and may not be ideal if you’re in a time crunch. Keep in mind that this method only works with cream contour and highlighter. For powdered face products, it’s best to apply these on top of foundation.
If you’re planning to go au naturel with the eyes or wear a minimal amount of shadow, you may benefit more from wearing foundation first. An already completed base serves as the perfect blank canvas for conscious eyeshadow application. Like the issue of using a heavy hand for foundation as mentioned earlier, there is such a thing as a heavy hand for eye makeup as well. Applying foundation first will also enable the foundation to sink in longer, giving a more natural appearance to the skin.
