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?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
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161 Member Comments
I haven't yet tried using a sponge for make-up application
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Such a great article! I would also set it with a setting spray :)
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I don’t wear foundation, but the Hunter Lab sunscreen has a beige tint to it and just evens out the skin tone nicely while protecting from the sun (always good when it delivers on its core promise).
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really like the sound of the Hunter Lab Sunscreen. trying to get through many other products first, but it is on the list.
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I used to be afraid of foundation/BB creams when I was in my 20's... then I learned that taking good care of your skin is way more important than wearing foundation. A lot of girls I know are wearing wayy too much! That's why I always use a sponge of BeautyBlender/dupes... little goes a long way, and I hardly ever have meltdowns anymore.
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Great article. Personally I’d prefer tinted moisturiser or a light dusting of powder rather than full coverage foundation. I use a damp sponge to apply. I usually use the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponges, but I have also used the Manicare one.
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Great tip for concealer under your eyes, will give it a go
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Great article and the comments are full of useful tips too ;)
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When I wear full makeup I like a foundation that has SPF factor in it and before putting that on I will still wear a Prima and some facial Sunscreen as well. Then I put Translucent Powder over the top to set it and continue with eyeshadow and eyeliner. Etc.
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I completely agree that sponges are the way to go and completely agree that for the price - Real Techniques is worth every single cent.
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Thanks for the tip. I'll have to look out for Real Techniques :)
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I never use foundation anymore these days, every time I do it makes me break out.
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All I was thinking about reading this was that the cover pictures girl looks like her hair is pulled too tight...
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Using my liquid foundation and then setting it with my powder makes my skin look amazing and airbrushed
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I use a setting powder, but on nights out I finish with setting spray. I struggle finding concealer 1) pale enough and 2) with enough coverage. My go to highlighter is NYX for sure though!
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I love my Elizabeth Arden Prevage Foundation with spf30 - it does feel like it's good for my skin especially with the sun protection and anti-ageing ness.
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Sorry I meant highlighters
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I would say using cream blush and highlightera
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Some awesome products here
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My favourite of the awesome is the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation. Gorgeous results.
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I have just bought FIT ME and testing it out now!
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I need a good concealer.
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Always love a good concealer.
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Yes, perfect tips for perfect makeup day. Need to step up my game and dare to do something more. Yes, skin loving makeup is my game
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I want to try the Bobbi Brown BB cream as I hate anything heavy when I do wear makeup!
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