The best makeup tips for a perfect complexion

Here at beautyheaven, we’re always after crystal-clear, glowing skin. Good skin is always in, but we don’t always wake up to a perfect complexion. Sometimes we all need a little help from a good foundation and a touch of concealer.

The makeup world has evolved from covering to enhancing. We want products that mimic the skin’s natural texture while still hiding imperfections.

To get that #wokeuplikethis complexion, here are our best tips to achieving the perfect base.  

RELATED: How to choose the best foundation formula

RELATED: The best concealer for dry skin

Rethink your toolbox

If your foundation is looking a bit blah, it might be time to reconsider your beauty tools. Applying your makeup with a damp sponge is great for buildable coverage and a dewy finish.

You can use a makeup sponge to apply primer, foundation, concealer and even translucent powder to give you a flawless finish. Pressing translucent powder on top of your foundation will set your makeup and make it last for hours. You might think that pressing powder onto your base is a recipe for cake face, but the damp sponge results in a glowing, natural finish.

If you’re using a sponge you need to keep it clean. I love washing my makeup sponge right before I apply my foundation. That way the sponge is clean, damp and ready to use immediately.

beautyheaven member Princess73 can’t stop raving about the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge:

“This definitely does give you a dewy complexion. You don’t need a lot of foundation either for coverage with this sponge. Used damp for liquid foundation works best. [It’s the] first time my makeup has looked flawless.” – Princess73

bh also loves: Manicare Flawless Complexion Sponge, Natio Complexion Perfection Foundation Sponge

Choose skin-loving makeup

It’s good to give your skin a break from heavy makeup, but that doesn’t mean you have to go completely makeup-free. There are plenty of products with both coverage and skin care benefits, so you don’t have to make sacrifices.

Look for formulas with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and vitamins. Swapping your normal foundation for one with added benefits a few days a week helps to improve your skin long-term. It’s skin-loving, multitasking magic.

Always consider choosing products with SPF so your skin is protected from UV rays throughout the day. This protects skin from pigmentation and premature ageing.

beautyheaven member Rebecca777 swears by the Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 30+:

“This is definitely a winning product for achieving that natural look while protecting your skin.” – Rebecca777

But don't fret if your favourite foundation doesn't offer sunprotection. Just make sure your wearing a high-protection sunscreen lotion undernearth, or a moisturiser with SPF.  We love Hunter Lab SPF 50+ Facial Sunscreen which contains aloe vera and vitamin E, leaving your complexion smooth, moisturised and ready for makeup.

bh also loves: Innoxa Renew Erase Serum Foundation, Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation

Highlight with your concealer

Powder highlighters are amazing, but if you wear them during the day you can end up looking like you have a face covered in glitter. A better (and quicker) way to highlight your face is to use your concealer.

After applying concealer underneath your eyes, try dabbing some down your forehead, along the bridge of your nose and on your chin. Use fingers or a damp makeup sponge to blend it in and set with a translucent powder. You’ll have a more natural finish but still get the benefits of highlighting. It’s win-win!

If you’re after that truly lit-from-within glow, try mixing Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat in with your concealer before applying it. This will help to hide dark circles and further highlight your features.  If your dark circles are particularly bad,  try applying a peach-toned colour corrector like the Revlon PhotoReady™ Color Correcting Pen before your concealer.

cazxtee can’t live without the Rimmel London Wake Me Up Concealer:

“This concealer has been one of my favourites over the past year and I have found myself repurchasing this product multiple times.” - cazxtee

bh also loves: M.A.C Mineralize Concealer, Maybelline New York FITme Concealer

Banish creases for good

There’s nothing worse than applying concealer under your eyes only to have it crease within the hour. It’s frustrating and often looks worse than before you applied it. If this happens to you, then you need to try the following tip:

After applying your concealer, immediately press translucent powder under your eyes with a damp sponge or fluffy eyeshadow brush. Apply more than you need – don’t worry, you’ll be dusting most of it away later. Let the powder sit for about five minutes. I like to do my brows, blush and bronzer while I wait.

When the five minutes are up, dust the excess powder away and you should have perfect creaseless concealer. To brighten up dark circles, use a loose powder with a yellow base.

Ashleigh91 is loving the Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder in Pale Yellow:

“I like to use this under my eyes, just a light dusting to stop my concealer creasing (I have the WORST dark circles so they need a lot of cover) and it does a fantastic job of keeping my makeup in place without looking dry or cakey all day.” – Ashleigh91

bh also loves: Australis Ready Set Go Finishing Powder, Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder

Main header image @chiaraferragni

Are you going to try any of these tips? What are your favourite products for a perfect complexion?