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I am sure that by now we all know that when it comes to creating an even base for your makeup, we can’t deny that using foundation is essential. You can use it as a way to mask imperfections and get the flawless coverage we all want. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that foundation is a beauty staple in the world of makeup. Since I was a teenager there has been the liquid foundation vs. powder debate going on and it’s not showing any signs of slowing down. For a new girl just starting out using makeup, it can be hard to settle on the right formula for you. The way to choose which is best between powder and liquid foundation is to decide what you want from your makeup. Powder foundation will be best if you just want light coverage from your makeup. If your face has any blemish/shadow that you want to hide, the full coverage of liquid foundation will be best. Lucky for you, I am here to assist you. Let’s get the lowdown on foundation powders vs. liquid foundation so you can decide which formula will be the better option for your skin so that you get the foundation that will give you the best results. What Is Powder Foundation? If you prefer using lightweight makeup, powder foundation will be the right choice for you. This type of formula gives your skin a more natural look with a soft touch. Because of the weightless feel that today’s powders have, you’ll be able to give your skin breathable and buildable coverage that can last the day. When you use powder foundation, you won’t have to worry about having a cakey look to your makeup. Product recommendation: L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Compact Makeup or Age Perfect Makeup Creamy Powder Foundation with Minerals. What Is Liquid Foundation? It doesn’t matter whether you’re new to the world of makeup or an experienced veteran, I am sure that you have probably heard about a liquid foundation by now. Liquid foundation is known as a tried-and-true makeup essential. A liquid foundation is a superb option if you love a seamless blend that disguises any imperfections. A girl can’t go wrong with this beauty staple. You can also choose between liquid formulas that have anywhere from light coverage for daytime during summer to full coverage for a night out on the town, depending on the desired look you are going for. The finish is also up to you, whether you want a glowing face or a matte beauty look. Product pick: L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation or Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation. Is It Better To Use Powder Or Liquid Foundation? I’ve spoken to many of my girlfriends about it and when it comes to the foundation powder vs. liquid foundation debate, there still doesn’t seem to be one real winner. It is all about a girl’s personal preference. Use powder foundation if your goal is light coverage for your makeup. Obviously, powder foundations are the logical option if you prefer to avoid heavy makeup at all costs. This type of foundation typically provides your skin with sheer coverage for a light and natural look that’s always on-trend. Powder foundation is really easy to apply with a makeup brush or makeup sponge, and you can totally touch up your beauty look throughout the day with ease. It is a great option if you are pressed for time and need to get your makeup done quickly. Another reason to choose powder foundation is that doesn’t need much blending, making it great for beginners just starting out with makeup. A liquid foundation also has its share of benefits. These include being able to cover up blemishes and other imperfections including stubble – I have seen swimsuit models use liquid foundation on their upper legs to hide stubble from the camera if needed. Liquid foundations offer a variety of finishes, and some formulas even give your skin a touch of hydration. This makes it easy to see why some skilled makeup artists and beauty lovers can’t get enough liquid foundation. Another advantage is that when it comes to applying liquid foundation, you’re not restricted to only one method. You can use makeup brushes, your fingers, or a makeup blender to achieve smooth and flawless coverage. Liquid foundation is better at covering imperfections and "shadow". I believe that new girls should begin practicing with liquid foundation as early in their makeup journey as possible. However, I tell girls that it is a good idea to have a powder foundation in the same shade as your liquid foundation for two reasons. Firstly, if your makeup ever needs retouching during the day it is easier to retouch with powder than liquid foundation. Secondly, the first few times you use liquid foundation you might not get even coverage and you might see some lines in your makeup. A tiny bit of powder makeup will smooth those lines easily. How To Use Liquid And Powder Foundation The good news is that irrespective of whether you pick liquid or powder foundation, the way you apply your makeup won’t differ dramatically at all. For instance, you may choose one brush or tool over another, but most of your makeup steps won’t change at all. Here is a basic step-by-step tutorial on applying foundation that you should be able to master easily. Cleanse Your Skin Before you reach for any of your makeup products, it is vital to start off with a cleansing session. This will help your skin stay in shape, and it will make it possible to sport a flawless makeup look. I grab my L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types and sweep a saturated cotton pad over my skin to lift away dirt, oil, and impurities for a refreshed and balanced feel before starting my makeup. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize Once you have cleansed your skin, it’s time to lock in some nourishing hydration with the help of a moisturizer. I use the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care – Normal/Dry Skin. Depending on your skin perhaps the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care – Normal/Oily Skin or the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care – Extra Dry Skin will work better for you. All three moisturizers are formulated with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid that will help keep your skin soft, supple, and moisturized. Soft, supple, and moisturized skin forms the quality canvass that will help you create a stunning makeup look. Bring On The Primer Do you want to maintain a gorgeous complexion from day to night? If so then you will need to kick your makeup game up a notch with a quality makeup primer. This will create an even base for the rest of your makeup application. This step forms the foundation of my makeup routine. I prefer a matte look, so I prep my skin with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Lock Makeup Primer. Choose the primer that works for you and apply it so that you’ll be ready for the next step. Create Your Complexion Wait a few minutes for your face primer to properly dry and once it has, it will be time to apply your foundation. To apply powder foundation: Use your powder brush or makeup sponge and blend the powder out toward your hairline and also down until you reach your desired level of coverage. Remember that powder is not supposed to start getting layered until you reach full coverage. So don’t try to keep building up layers of powder on one area of your face before you have full coverage of your foundation. To apply liquid foundation: Squeeze a small amount of liquid foundation onto a makeup blender. I use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender. You apply the foundation on your skin using dabbing and rolling motions so that the foundation blends as it goes on. Again, your goal is to get full coverage before you add additional layers of foundation. Conceal Imperfections What many girls don’t realize is that foundation is just meant to create an even base, and not be caked on to hide imperfections. The key to hiding imperfections such as blemishes is using concealer. All you need to do is dot the concealer on if you can still see any spots in need of coverage, then blend out. If you are new to makeup and looking for personal help in choosing shades, ask one of the friendly girls at Sephora. Don’t rush blending your makeup, especially when you are still new to the world of makeup. It will be your blending skills that will make the biggest improvement to your makeup game. Grab Your Bronzer With your foundation and concealer in place, you should be flaunting flawless skin. Now, you’ll want to add some bronzer into the mix. I use the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Bronze It Bronzer. Apply your bronzer to the hollows of your cheeks and your temples. That will give you a sun-kissed glow and will keep your face from looking flat. Add Some Definition It is time to really amp up your face makeup by adding blush. The key is to use a blush that complements your complexion. I use the L’Oréal Paris True Match Blush. Select a blush that is in your perfect shade and apply it on your cheeks for a natural flush of color. What many girls don’t realize is that exactly where you apply blush depends on your face shape so that you can create a more femme look. Luckily for you, I’ve written an article that teaches you how to apply blush based on your face shape. Go and read that here on Pink Femme once you have finished this article. Coat Your Lashes Bring your eyes to life with the help of some mascara. If you are going to do an eye makeup routine of eyeliner, eye shadow, and mascara - now would be the time to do that, as well as your brows. Alternatively, just swipe on a few coats of the L’Oréal Paris Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara, Lasting Volume for a minimalist eye makeup look with lifted and curled lashes. Color Your Lips Finish your makeup look with the help of gorgeous lip color. Swipe your favorite shade of L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Lip Crayon, Lasting Wear Water Resistant across your pout to finish your makeup. If you have thin lips, here is a tutorial on how to over-line your lips to make them look fuller. One of these days I’ll be adding a full makeup tutorial for your lips. Once I do, the link to that will be here. Lock It All In To Prevent Smudging Or Fading You’re done all the hard work. All there is left to do is make sure that your makeup stays put all day long. Do what I do every time I finish doing my makeup and spritz the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray in ‘X’ and ‘T’ shapes across your face. That will give you a “just-applied” makeup look that lasts for hours without smudging or fading. Why not expand your knowledge even further by reading another makeup/beauty article here on Pink Femme? You can find them either via the menu at the top of the page or by clicking this link that will take you to the list of all the beauty articles. When it comes to my choices for makeup and beauty products, I only use L’Oréal Paris (Available on Amazon). I have really sensitive skin and never once have I had any negative reaction to any L’Oréal product.