Finding a decent liquid foundation can be hard enough, however making them last as long as you need them to can be even harder. Many foundation wearers resort to caking layers upon layers of foundation to the face to ensure full coverage – resulting in a heavy and unnatural overall appearance. Follow my expert tips outlined below and worrying about your makeup base coming off too early or having to apply an excessive amount of foundation will be a thing of the past.

Step 1 – Picking the Right Foundation: Every foundation has its own level of coverage depending on how much you need. These are my recommendations for each:

Full Coverage: Dior Air Flash Spray Foundation – this fast drying spray foundation creates a truly flawless airbrushed look by lightly coating the surface of the skin in an even highly pigmented, all-encompassing layer. Applying only 1-2 thin coats of this will seal the deal.

Full-Medium Coverage: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation – with a consistency of liquid velvet, this award-winning dewy foundation melts into the skin and provides buildable coverage with only a few drops. Due to its high pigment content, a bottle of this will last seemingly forever.

Medium Coverage: Face Atelier Ultra Foundation – I love this foundation line not only because it has a built-in primer, but it also has 5 unique color adjusters that can be added to any foundation shade to match your skin tone flawlessly. This makes Face Atelier’s foundation line virtually accessible to everyone. As an added benefit, this silicone-based foundation is also self setting – requiring no powder to seal the foundation in (truly remarkable!).

Medium Coverage: Vapour Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation – Vogue claims that this is that closest natural foundation you will find in comparison to Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk – I could not agree more (minus the product packaging). A little bit goes a long way – thus you can expect to replenish your liquid foundation less frequently. This is an ideal alternative (to Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk) especially for wearers who have sensitive skin as it is free of parabens and other common ingredients found in many mainstream lines that can cause irritation. Additionally, this product is 100% natural and 70% organic!

Medium-Light Coverage: Inglot Cosmetics HD Perfect Coverup Foundation – while still allowing for an everyday natural look that is perfect for younger wearers, this moisturizing foundation prevents excess shine and adjusts to each individual’s skin tone with the help of added HD pigments. This is an absolute favorite of mine to use on talent at photo shoots for a natural every day look.

Light Coverage: Amarte Natural Finish BB Cream – formulated to prevent caking and flaking, this effortlessly sheer and moisturizing BB cream provides uniform coverage that lasts without covering up too much of the wearers naturally beautiful skin. This is great for those looking for light coverage with the added benefits of anti-aging SPF 36 protection.

Step 2 – Prime, Color Correct, and Conceal: With the exception of Face Atelier’s Ultra Foundation, a high quality primer should be applied as the first step towards a long-lasting makeup base. I would personally recommend the new award-winning Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer by Smashbox (I absolutely love the quality and effectiveness of this).

After applying primer, color correct where needed – under the eyes, around the nostrils of the nose, over blemishes or dark spots, etc. Inglot has an incredible line of liquid color correcting primers that are my go-to for accomplishing this. I use them simultaneously with a pore minimizing primer where needed.

Lastly, follow up with concealer on areas where needed as before – under the eyes, around the nostrils of the nose, over blemishes or dark spots, etc. Dermablend has full coverage cream concealers (used often to cover up tattoos) that melt upon application from the warmth of your skin – getting the job done better than ever.

Step 3 – Apply Foundation With A Beauty Blender: After applying liquid foundation via fingertips and/or a foundation brush (with exception of the Dior Air Flash Spray Foundation), use a beauty blender and blot the foundation evenly all over the face and neck via a repeated and firm tapping motion. This evens the foundation distribution on the face and neck – creating a natural yet, perfectly even foundation base. To accomplish this, I recommend using the Pro Blending Sponge by Inglot.

Step 4 – Seal It All In: For wearers that have an oilier complexion, dust and/or pat the face with a setting powder. For a more sheer coverage, I recommend Natural Finish Loose Powder by Chanel. Fuller coverage can be achieved with Translucence Mattifying Pressed Powder by Lancôme. Wearers with normal to dry skin may not need to use setting powders. Lastly, seal it all in by using a quality setting spray. My all-time favorite (and a cult-favorite among top makeup artists worldwide) is All Nighter by Urban Decay.

*Originally published on World Bride Magazine here.