A Makeup Artist’s Secret to Getting Truly Flawless-Looking Foundation Coverage

The key to getting your foundation to look just right each and every time? Creating a clean canvas before applying makeup and taking advice from the industry’s best. To learn the secret to getting truly flawless-looking foundation we turned to an expert, Sir John Barnett, L’Oréal Paris’ Celebrity Makeup Artist.

During our interview with Sir John, he explained to us that whenever he has the time he begins every makeup application with a mini 15-minute facial, starting with a clay mask to decongest the pores followed by a facial massage. Whether you’re doing your makeup for a special occasion or just for another day at the office, follow Sir John’s step-by-step guide to ensure flawless-looking coverage.

STEP 1: CLEANSE

No makeup application should begin unless you have a clean canvas to start with. To remove any leftover makeup, dirt, and other impurities from the skin’s surface reach for micellar water. We recommend L’Oréal Paris’ micellar water formulas. You can choose from a formula for normal-to-dry skin, normal-to-oily skin, and one that can remove waterproof makeup.

STEP 2: MASK

Follow Sir John’s advice and reach for a clay mask next—or maybe even three. L’Oréal Paris’ Pure-Clay masks are ideal to use for a multi-masking session and allow you to target multiple skin care concerns at once. Depending on which mask you chose, you can purify pores and absorb excess oil, restore a radiant appearance to the skin, or smooth the skin’s surface with exfoliation. Use one or a combination of all three of the mineral clay masks and then move on to the next step.

STEP 3: FACIAL MASSAGE 

After rinsing off your face mask, it’s time to moisturize. But to get a truly flawless-looking makeup application, consider using your moisturizer or even a facial oil for a simple at-home facial massage. L’Oréal Paris’ Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition Facial Oil is a great option for dry, dull-looking skin. The lightweight oil is formulated with a blend of eight essential oils giving it a truly spa-like relaxing aroma. Drop 4-5 drops into the palm of your hand, rub your hands together and using your fingertips, gently massage the oil onto your skin. Start in the center of your face and sweep your fingers upwards toward your ears and outer eye area. Move on to your eyebrows and hairline, continuing that gentle upwards circular motion—massaging down can tug on the skin and overtime may cause wrinkles and fine lines to appear. Finally, smooth the oil from your neck to your jawline and finish with your upper chest.

Once you’re ready, move onto your primers and foundation. Need a rec? Here are a few of our favorite primers with skin care benefits. You should notice they glide on smoothly to your freshly cleansed and moisturized complexion.

For more expert tips and advice, read our full interview with Sir John here.