As a makeup-obsessed college student, I am constantly trying to find the perfect products to keep my face looking seamless even through the most treacherous of conditions — the humidity of a frat or the sweatiness of on-campus bars. After looking at countless Instagram tutorials, review articles, and of course, consulting the TikTok community, I finally feel confident in saying that I have perfected my base. So, for all of you who have been struggling, here are ten tips to help you achieve the same!
1. The Base of the Base: Your Skin
A major part of my journey was realizing that I was not taking proper care of my skin which definitely showed whenever I applied makeup. Your skin is the most important part of this journey, making your first step to find the products that will battle things like texture or an uneven skin tone. For me, using a chemical exfoliant such as the 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant from Paula’s Choice once or twice a week is enough to remove small bumps and clogged pores. Just remember to moisturize well after using any exfoliant, as dry skin will also ruin your base.
2. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
The second step to perfecting your base is having well-hydrated skin that glows even without makeup. As someone with dry to combination skin, I need a thick, hydrating moisturizer under my makeup to ensure that it will look seamless. For a splurge, the Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream is the best moisturizer I have used under my makeup. However, if the price is too steep, I also recommend the Clinique Moisture Surge Skin Hydrator which has the same hydrating purpose.
3. Primer
I used to scoff at the idea that a primer is something that could make or break your base until I found my holy-grail primer: the Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas. This primer changed my life, especially when I used it in combination with the Dewy Skin Cream. But again, it is a bit of a splurge, so I also recommend the NYX Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer which I find very good. Priming your skin truly does keep your makeup on all day and all night, even through sweat or oil.
4. Finding the perfect foundation
This is one of the most difficult steps just because of the sheer amount of options available. If you do not know where to start, my favorite full-coverage foundation is the Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation which has lasted me through even 12-hour wedding events without looking cake-y. However, when I am looking for something with lighter coverage, I go with the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation which still overpowers my uneven skin tone and texture, but more subtly. If you are not a fan of foundation, my go-to summer product was also the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer which gives me an amazing glow and still feels light even on the hottest of days. The only downside to the Nars Foundations is that their prices are steep, so here are a few dupes. For a full-coverage, long-wear foundation, I recommend the Maybelline Superstay Longwear Liquid Foundation. For a softer, more dewy look, try the Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation.
5. Brush or Beauty Blender?
When I first started doing my makeup, I used a Beauty Blender with my foundation and I could never seem to understand why I was not happy with my base. Then, I made the switch to a makeup brush, and it changed my life. The one that I use is the NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation brush which allows me to buff the makeup into my skin seamlessly. Even though this is the case for me, many people that I know love to use Beauty Blenders and refuse to use makeup brushes for their face. So, my biggest recommendation here is that if you are using a foundation with amazing reviews but for some reason you still do not like it on your face, change your applicator because chances are it is not suited for the product.
6. My Undereye Bags are Not Gucci
For all those spots that your foundation just cannot seem to cover, invest in a great concealer that will last you throughout the night. Since I am a big Nars fan, for my concealer I love the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer or the Maybelline Fit Me Liquid Concealer for a cheaper option.
7. Bronze it Up
One of my favorite TikTok finds so far is using the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Perfector in a darker shade as a liquid bronzer. This carves out my face beautifully and I prefer it over any other liquid or cream bronzer that I have tried. To set and deepen the contour, I will go over it with the Benefit Hoola Bronzer and just like that, I have instant cheekbones.
8. Powder it Down
Powders are again one of those overwhelming makeup categories with countless options. I remember when I was first figuring out my base, I was always struggling to figure out when to use a pressed powder vs. a loose powder. Taking inspiration from TikTok, I find that the best way to set my undereye is with the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder for a bright, long-lasting undereye. I also like the Essence Brighten Up! Pressed Powder as a dupe. Once I set my concealer with a pressed powder, I tackle the rest of my face with a loose powder. My favorite one so far is the Talc-Free Airspun Loose Translucent Powder. I love how this instantly brightens up my face and makes my final look smooth and complete. I especially love to use my powder to smooth out the lines from my contour to give me that “airbrushed” look.
9. Blush (the best part)
My absolute favorite part of face makeup is blush, as it instantly deepens and beautifies any look. It definitely takes some swatching to find the perfect blush for your skin tone, but for me, my favorite blush is the Nars Orgasm X blush which is a deep coral blush with gold shimmer. If I want a blush that is pinker, I love the Volume 4 shade of the Juvia’s Place Blushed Duo. In general, Juvia’s Place has extremely pigmented blushes, even if you have darker skin. Recently, I tried Elf’s new Camo Liquid Blush in the shade Pinky Promise and I loved how pigmented it is while still being super affordable! It can be a little hard to blend seamlessly, but once you master it, it is a beautiful addition to your look.
10. Set it all!
Last (but certainly not least), for a beat that will last you through anything, I have been loving the NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray because not only is it affordable, I can also depend on it to keep my makeup on all day.
I hope this article gives you a roadmap to exploring all things face so that you can also perfect your base! While it does take a lot of trial and error, knowing that you have perfected your face makeup is such an awesome feeling and it completes the rest of your beat. Happy exploring!