Foundation 101 Steps

Nothing gives the illusion of flawless, even skin like a coat of foundation. The trick is knowing how to properly apply it. Makeup expert Carmindy, star of TLC's What Not To Wear, takes us through the simple steps for flawless foundation for light, medium, and dark skin.

Light Skin Undertones
Light skin has either pink or yellow undertones. To determine yours, follow this guide: If you have a lot of redness or an allover pink tint to your skin, you have pink undertones. If your skin is fairly even and you tan easily, you have yellow undertones.

Medium Skin Undertones
According to Carmindy, woman with medium skin usually have olive undertones.

Dark Skin Undertones
Women with darker skin tones tend to either be a little golden in undertone or more reddish, so keep that in mind when selecting foundation shades.

Find Your Match
At the cosmetics counter, choose three shades of foundation that are as close to your natural skin tone as possible. Apply a stripe of each shade near your jaw line, and whichever blends the easiest into your skin is the best match.

Prime Your Canvas
Once you find the perfect shade of foundation, prep skin with a luminizing face primer. "It just makes the skin nice and smooth so when you apply the foundation, it'll just glide right on," explains Carmindy.

Application
For the most even application, use a foundation sponge to lightly feather foundation across your skin. This will ensure you get even coverage.

Tip:
If you don't like an allover application, you can always spot-apply foundation only where you need it most. "I like to apply foundation only in areas that really need it. That usually tends to be around the nose, around the eyes and the chin," says Carmindy.

Tip:
According to Carmindy, many women with darker skin tones tend to have areas of their faces that are a little darker than the rest. If you still have any dark areas after you apply foundation, just even them out by pushing the foundation sponge into the skin. This just adds a slightly heavier layer of foundation on the darker areas so your whole face looks even.

Conceal Flaws
Apply concealer after your foundation. If you put it on before, your foundation will just wipe it off. "Pick up the concealer with a fine-tipped concealer brush -- remember to use the smallest amount possible," suggests Carmindy. Gently dab onto any flaws.