How to Put Foundation on with Your Hands

Co-authored by Nine Morrison and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: November 8, 2022 References

Makeup brushes and sponges can be expensive, and you probably don’t carry them with you on the go. Using your fingers as a makeup brush is considered a little controversial in the makeup community, but it can actually make your foundation look more flawless and less cakey. Always make sure your hands are clean and dry before you use them to apply makeup to keep your skin healthy and clear.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Cleansing and Moisturizing

1
Wash your hands with soap and water. Since you’re using your hands to put on your makeup, it’s important to make sure they’re clean and dry. Using hand soap and water, lather up your hands for 20 seconds, then rinse them and pat them dry with a towel.^{[1]
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- Putting on foundation with dirty hands can clog your pores and potentially give you acne.
2
Cleanse your skin and pat it dry. Get your skin wet and lather on a mild skin cleanser. Rinse it off with lukewarm water and then pat your face dry with a clean towel.^{[2]
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- Just like your hands, your skin can pick up a lot of dirt and germs throughout the day. You always want to start with a clean base when putting on makeup.
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Rub moisturizer into your skin and let it soak in.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Nine Morrison
Expert Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 3 September 2018.} Pat a few drops of face moisturizer onto your skin and use your fingers to rub it in. Wait for about 1 minute to let the moisturizer soak in, or until your face doesn’t look shiny anymore.^{[4]
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- Putting on moisturizer before foundation will lock in hydration to avoid drying your skin out.^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Nine Morrison
  Expert Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 3 September 2018.}
- Even if you have oily skin, you should use moisturizer to balance out the moisture levels in your face. This can even cut down on the amount of oil that your skin produces.^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Nine Morrison
  Expert Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 3 September 2018.}
4
Pat a makeup primer into your skin. Squeeze out 2 to 3 pea-sized dots of makeup primer and smooth it onto your skin. Use your fingertips to gently pat the primer into your skin, focusing on your T-zone, or your cheeks, nose, and forehead.^{[7]
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- Pick a primer that’s good for your skin type. For example, if you have oily skin, you might choose a primer that cuts down on oil and shine. Or, if you have dry skin, you might pick a moisturizing primer to reduce flakiness throughout the day.
- Makeup primer helps to close your pores and create a smooth, even base for your makeup to go on top.
- Your T-zone produces the most oil throughout the day, which is why you need to focus on that area for your primer application.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Applying Liquid Foundation

1
Squirt a dime-sized dot of liquid foundation onto the back of your hand. If you’re going to apply your foundation with your hands, stick with liquid foundation for an easier application. Squirt out a little bit onto the back of your non-dominant hand to start with. If you need more, you can always add some later on.^{[8]
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- Liquid foundation is the easiest to smooth out with your fingers. Powder and stick foundation tend to create streaks on your face if you don’t use a brush.
2
Dip your pointer finger into the foundation. Carefully dip your pointer finger into the foundation you poured onto the back of your hand. Try to only pick up a little bit of the product to start with. It’s always better to use too little than too much!^{[9]
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- For faster coverage, use both your pointer finger and your middle finger at the same time.
3
Apply dots of foundation all over your face. Using your finger to apply the foundation, pat dots of it all over your face. Focus on the center of your face, including your nose, your cheekbones, and your forehead.^{[10]
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- Anytime you need more product, use your finger to dip into the foundation on the back of your hand.
- If you’re going for a full coverage foundation, apply more. If it’s a light coverage foundation, apply less.
4
Smooth the foundation onto your skin from the middle outwards. Take both your hands and start wiping the foundation away from the middle of your face, starting from your nose and blending outwards. It should kind of feel like you’re applying moisturizer and rubbing the product into your skin. Make sure you smooth all the way up your forehead and a little bit down your neck, as well.^{[11]
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- The smoothing motion will rub the foundation into the creases and contours of your skin, making it look more natural.
5
Pat the foundation with your fingertips to set it. Once your foundation is in place, go over it lightly with your pointer finger and middle finger in a tapping motion. Focus on any areas that might look streaky still to smooth them out and set your foundation into your skin.^{[12]
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- As your foundation settles and dries, it will adhere to the contours of your skin and look more natural. If you think it’s looking a little strange, give it 5 minutes to dry and then take another look. You might be surprised at how much better it looks!
6
Finish your look with concealer and powder. Now you can move onto the rest of your makeup look! You can pat concealer onto any blemishes, finish your face with powder, or leave your foundation as-is for a light coverage, natural look.^{[13]
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- If you’re using a concealer, go with liquid concealer and apply it with your fingertips the same way you applied your foundation.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Should I moisturize before putting on foundation?

Nine Morrison
Beauty Consultant
Nine Morrison is the owner of WedLocks Bridal Hair & Makeup, the largest bridal beauty company in Colorado. Her work has been featured in Brides Magazine, The Knot, and by Moroccanoil, and her company replicates this standard across 400+ weddings per year. She has been in the beauty industry for over 10 years, and also travels as a beauty educator and business consultant.

Nine Morrison

Beauty Consultant

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You should absolutely moisturize before putting on foundation. How often you moisturize depends on your skin type and the climate where you live, but moisturizing is so important regardless of whether or not you have oily or dry skin. Your makeup will never look as good as a celebrity’s if you don’t have the proper skin prep beforehand.

Warnings

Your hands pick up a lot of germs throughout the day. Make sure you wash them before touching your skin to avoid breakouts and clogged pores.

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