"When I started my career as a makeup artist, Joe Blasco’s cosmetics line was a mainstay in most artists’ kits. Joe was well-known for his prestigious makeup schools, revolutionary formulations, and decades of Hollywood clout," recants Mary Erickson, founder of Camera Ready Cosmetics and professional makeup artist.
"I deemed his Ultrabase Foundation (and still do) to be one of the very best cream foundations on the market." Even today, the biggest names in film and television use this iconic product, including Kim Kardashian and Angelina Jolie. Enjoy our guide on how to apply cream foundation, which will have you applying like a pro.
This creamy, weatherproof, ultra-lightweight foundation is packed with pigment to effortlessly conceal stubborn hyperpigmentation, blemishes, and uneven skin tones without caking or looking heavy. A little goes a long way and will last throughout the day with just a slight dusting of translucent setting powder.
The superior coverage of this product is unparalleled. With over 38 shades to choose from, it’s impossible not to find the perfect shade of makeup cream for your skin tone.
The natural, clean, barely-there makeup look is today’s hottest trend. Most people believe you need a liquid foundation to achieve this “no makeup” look. That’s a myth. Cream foundations can provide excellent coverage from light to full. Read on to learn about the best way to apply cream foundations.
How to Apply Cream Foundation for Light Coverage (To Even Skin Tone):
Generously apply moisturizer. (Your face should be very moist before you apply the
cream foundation
.)
Apply dots of
Ultrabase
Foundation
cream
on the face - one on each cheek, the forehead, and chin.
Blend the
cream foundation
with a
Kabuki brush
in circular motions to achieve a beautiful, sheer glow. For areas needing more coverage, pat
cream foundation
into the skin with your fingertips. For areas that need less coverage, blend lightly with the Kabuki brush.
Set
a cream formula foundation
with
translucent setting powder
for a matte look. Not a fan of the matte finish? Skip the powder. Ultrabase
Cream Foundation
does not have to be powdered because of its pigment-packed formula.
How to Put on Foundation for Extra-Sheer Coverage:
Put a dime-sized amount of
moisturizer
in the palm of your hand.
Using a stainless steel makeup
spatula and palette set
, mix half of the moisturizer with a small amount of Ultrabase
Cream Foundation
.
Apply
the creamy formula
with your fingers, a sponge, or brush.
How to Apply Cream Foundation for Full Coverage (To Conceal Imperfections):
Apply moisturizer to your face and allow it to absorb into the skin for several minutes.
Once your face is dry, apply Ultrabase
Cream Foundation
with a sponge or
foundation brush
. Blend well!
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PRO TIP #1: Blend the foundation onto your neck as far down as possible. Also, lightly apply leftover product from the brush onto your ears to ensure all exposed skin matches your face. Don’t forget the sides of your neck, the collarbone and chest, and the tops of your shoulders if they are visible.
PRO TIP #2: Before applying powder, lightly blot your face with a flat folded tissue to remove any excess sheen. This “blotting” helps to set and stabilize your foundation before applying a setting powder. Blotting also prevents powder from looking blotchy and creates a smooth, flawless complexion.
PRO TIP #3: Never apply powder heavily. Only apply enough to produce a beautiful matte finish. If you can see the powder, you have applied too much. Lightly brush it off.
For extra sheer coverage:
Put a dime-sized amount o
f
moisturizerin the palm of your hand.
Using a stainless steel makeup
,
mix half of the moisturizer with a small amount of Ultrabase Foundation.For full coverage (to conceal imperfections):
Once your face is dry, apply Ultrabase Foundation with a sponge or
foundation brush. Blend well!
How To Choose Your Joe Blasco Ultrabase Foundation Shade
Find the color category of your skin tone at the top of the chart below. On the
color match guide
, you’ll see
foundation cream
color names listed below each color category. Every foundation color shown in the box will work well on your skin tone.
When there are 3-4
cream foundation
colors to choose from, they are all in the same “value” (lightest to darkest). All of the options listed in that category will work on your skin tone. It’s just a matter of experimentation and preference.
If you're unsure, you may
purchase samples
.
After trying our suggestions for the bests way to apply cream foundation, tag us in your Joe Blasco Ultrabase Foundation looks on Instagram and Facebook. For more questions on how to apply cream foundation or recommended products, comment below or email to connect with a Customer Experience Specialist.
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional-grade products without the typical makeup store attitude. Today, our team of beauty industry veterans works together to curate the best quality products on the market.
We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts. If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay...come in and play! Our store is your playground.
How to Prep for Foundation
Moisturize Your Skin
The key to a flawless base is well-prepped skin, so make sure your face is clean and prepped with your favorite moisturizer. We like a lightweight yet hydrating formula, like the Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream, which sinks in quickly and layers well under makeup. To help de-puff and cool down your under-eyes before makeup application, we love the NYX Professional Makeup Face Freezie Reusable Cooling Undereye Patches.
Apply a Primer
Makeup primers help extend the wear of your makeup and can make your skin look glowy, matte or blurred, depending on the formula you choose. For a glowy look, go for the Urban Decay All Nighter Ultra Glow Primer, but if you prefer a matte finish, try the L'Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Matte Setter.
Liquid Foundation
Coverage Level: Varies
Recommended Skin Type: All Skin Types
Best Application Method: Varies
How to Apply Liquid Foundation
Applying Liquid Foundation With a Foundation Brush
Using a tapered foundation brush, paint the liquid onto your face using short, downward strokes. Move the product from the center of the face outwards. Make sure you blend down to the top of the neck to avoid a line of demarcation along your jaw. Pat and blend to erase any telltale lines or creases. For an even more seamless finish, pat on top of the foundation with a damp sponge.
Applying Liquid Foundation With a Stippling Brush
A stippling brush will give you more full coverage than other kinds of foundation brushes. Use a stippling motion (or, gently pressing the brush all over your face rather than sweeping it across your skin) for a full-coverage, camera-ready finish.
Applying Liquid Foundation With a Sponge
Pour a small amount of foundation onto the back of your hand, then dot the product onto your face, starting where you want the most coverage (typically at the center). Then, take a damp makeup sponge and bounce it against your skin to evenly distribute and blend in the foundation. Use patting motions instead of dragging the sponge across the face — the latter will remove product and make the final results appear streaky.
Applying Liquid Foundation With Your Fingers
Some makeup artists swear that no method gives quite the same flawless finish as using your fingers. Squeeze the foundation onto the back of your hand and use your fingers to warm it up. Apply to your face using circular motions, taking care to blend and distribute evenly.
Our Favorite Liquid Foundations
If you want a matte, medium-to-full-coverage foundation, look no further than the Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation, an oil-free, affordable formula that lasts all day. It comes in 40 shades and contains oil-absorbing clay to keep your skin matte and smooth all day.