10 Foundation Mistakes You’re Making (+how to fix them!)

Are you making any of these foundation mistakes?

Foundation is a game changer when it comes to perfecting your complexion and giving you the skin of your dreams. But what if you pick the wrong foundation shade? The wrong formula? Or what if you just apply your foundation all wrong? Well, then you have a potential makeup disaster!

Keep reading to find out about the 10 common foundation mistakes you might be making and the makeup tips to help you fix them and achieve flawless foundation!

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10 Common Foundation Mistakes You’re (Probably) Making

1. You Picked The Wrong Foundation Formula

A common foundation mistakes is picking the wrong foundation formula. When choosing a foundation, you need to understand what your skin type is (Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination) in order to pick the correct one.

If you have oily/combination skin (which is super frustrating, I feel your pain!) then you need to find an oil-free formula that provides a matte finish so as not to add to the oil and shine that your skin produces naturally.

Liquid foundations usually work best for oily/combo skin types over creams or powder versions. Drier patches can be addressed with moisturizer if needed.

Drier skin types will want foundation that promotes dewiness, glow, satin or semi-matte finishes to give them the hydration they are missing.

While foundations with these words in the title are makeup suicide for oily skin types, they are a Godsend for dry skin. Normal skin? Lucky you! Go for the finish you prefer.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match foundation formulas either – sometimes 2 foundations mixed together are better than one!

I suffer from oily/combination skin; if you do too, you might want to read my post on makeup and skin care tips to reduce oily skin.

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2. Selecting The Wrong Foundation Shade

Mismatched foundation is the most unflattering, unnatural look you could go for and will be a beacon to everyone you pass that you are indeed wearing foundation, which is not what you want at all. It’s also a very common foundation that a lot of people make.

Always test a foundation directly on your skin before buying. If possible, have a staff member at the beauty counter help you test your shade.

In most cases, you should be looking for the shade that best matches your face, neck and chest – always stand back and see how the shade matches your face, as well as the rest of your body.

Our faces are usually paler than the rest of our body due to sunscreen, so you may have to go darker in shade if your body is more tanned.

Always test foundation on your face, preferably on your cheek or along your jawline and blend the foundation into your skin and down your neck.

Properly matched foundation should disappear into your skin after blending. To be really sure, check your foundation in natural or bright white light.

Never test foundation over existing foundation and don’t assume a foundation will match your skin just from looking at the bottle (yes, I have done this and have often been wrong!).

Tip: Need to lighten or darken a shade that wasn’t a good match? You can always try mixing 2 foundations together or use shade adjusting drops to lighten or darken the pigment for a custom shade.

 

3. Not Changing Your Foundation As Your Skin Changes

#3 on our foundation mistakes you’re making list is not updating your foundation as your skin changes. New weather conditions can cause your skin to change in hydration, texture and colouring. Consider changing up your foundation as the seasons change.

For example, I love using a very matte foundation in the summer months to help control my oil, but change to a creamier, more hydrating foundation option during the winter, when my skin tends to be drier and duller.

You may also need to change your shade if you tend to get darker in the summer months from sun exposure or (hopefully fake) tanning.

Health conditions, such as hormonal changes, prescription medications or pregnancy can also cause your skin to change. Aging skin or skin with visible pores also have different foundation requirements, since some foundations can bring out fine lines and texture more than others.

Be aware of how your skin looks and feels over time and adapt your foundation to meet your skin’s changing needs.  That Holy Grail foundation that you loved last year just might not work for your skin today and there’s nothing wrong with that (it just means you get to go foundation shopping, yayyyyy!).

 

4. Not Moisturizing Your Skin Properly

Not properly prepping your skin is one of the most overlooked foundation mistakes many people make.

Moisturizing your skin is essential, even for oily skin types (oily skin can actually pump out more oil if it becomes overly dry). Moisturizer creates a smooth, hydrated canvas for your foundation to lay on and can often help your foundation adhere better and even last longer.

Unmoisturized skin can lead your foundation to go on unevenly and make it more prone to cling to dry patches, if you have them. Your skin can also absorb some of the moisture out of your foundation during the day, causing it to look patchy by the day’s end.

Focus on finding the right moisturizer for your skin type and make sure you use it before applying your foundation!

If you have dry skin or are looking for a dewier finish, try adding a drop of facial oil or primer oil to your foundation for that extra glow.

Oilier skin types will benefit from a moisturizer with a matte finish. If you have combination skin, you may want to use a different moisturizer for different parts of your face that need more or less moisture.

RELATED READING: This Primer Oil Is Giving Me Glowing Skin

 

5. Applying Too Much Foundation = Caking

With makeup application, it’s important to remember that less is often more, but a common foundation mistake is applying way too much product. My goal when wearing foundation is to find a formula that allows my skin to look like skin, only better.

Always start with a thin layer of foundation; you can always add more if you feel you need to, but it is very difficult to blend out foundation if you have put on way too much.

 

Over-applied foundation can look cakey or heavy rather than natural.

Start by applying foundation to the T-zone/centre of the face (which normally requires more coverage) and then begin blending and working outwards. Starting with a thin layer will allow you to easily determine if there are some areas where you require more coverage than others and let you apply your foundation flawlessly!

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6. Foundation Brush vs. Beauty Sponge?

Some common foundation mistakes involve using the wrong application tools. I recommend trying different tools to apply your foundation. Usually, thicker foundations apply better with a foundation brush, while thinner formulas work well with a damp makeup sponge.

However, I always test out both options before making a decision. Sometimes you can mix and match tools; I like to apply my e.l.f. Flawless Finish foundation using the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, but will go over it again, very lightly, with a foundation brush to make sure any excess is picked up or blended further.

Also be sure your tools are cleaned regularly; caked up foundation on brushes or sponges will make blending even more difficult and can breed bacteria!

Test out a few methods to find what works best with the product. For some areas of my face, I find that my fingers are the best blending tool.

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7. Not Blending Enough

Not blending enough is one of the most common foundation mistakes many people make. Nothing says “Hey, I’m wearing heavy foundation today!” like unblended foundation or foundation that starts to separate from the skin.

I like to apply foundation with a small vanity mirror pulled close to my face so I can really see how it’s blending (or not blending) into my skin.

It is much easier to identify blending issues up close as opposed to looking into a mirror that is further away (doesn’t everything look great at a further distance?).

If using a damp makeup sponge, I usually tap the foundation all over my face to apply it and then go back and press the foundation into my skin.

When using a foundation brush, buff the foundation into your skin by using either back and forth sweeping motions or light circular motions. 

Again, don’t be afraid to try both methods; different parts of your face sometimes need different techniques. Blend it down your neck as well!

 

8. Not Setting Your Foundation With Powder

I did a post on the benefits of setting your foundation properly and how to select the right setting powder that you might find helpful, so I won’t reinvent the wheel at this point!

While drier skin types may be against using powder on top of foundation (don’t knock it until you try it!), setting your foundation with powder is essential for oilier skin types or for foundation formulas that feel a bit tacky on the skin after application.

If set well, with the right powder, your foundation will look air brushed and last longer. Try it!

9. Try A Primer Made For Your Skin Type

Makeup primers are a great way to prepare your skin to accept foundation and makeup.

If you suffer from oily skin, a mattifying primer (like the Huda Beauty Mate Perfection primer) will help to control excess oil and shine and help your makeup last longer without separating or looking patchy or cakey.

Other primers are designed to minimize the look of pores and textural imperfections, by using silicone to create a smoother layer on top of the skin (like the NYX Cosmetics Pore Filler Primer – my fave!)

If you suffer from dry skin, a hydrating primer will be your best option to give your skin an extra hydration boost before you apply your foundation.

Dewy primers are perfect options for normal to dry skin types looking for a radiant, “glass skin” look (like the L’Oreal True Match Lumi Glow Boosting Drops). 

However, primers aren’t always the answer for everyone. Many celebrity makeup artists opt to skip primer for a good base moisturizer (Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist is one of them), so don’t just because you bought the best primer on the market that your foundation woes are instantly solved.

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10. Ignoring Your Skin Care

Foundation and concealer can cover up a host of skin care woes, but nothing beats a healthy complexion as a great makeup base. 

Practising great skin care on a regular basis can make a world of difference and finding the right skin care ingredients can help address the skin issues that you are relying on your foundation/concealer to cover.

Looking for skin care tips and routines? You can check out my posts on the skin care ingredients you need to get your best skin ever, as well as the 5 simple steps you can take every day for great skin.

So…are any of these foundation mistakes you’re making? What are your best makeup tips for applying foundation?