Back to School Week: Flawless Face Routine (How to Hide Imperfections)

I have freckles, large pores, and the occasional pimple, but on the occasions when I want a flawless face, I use these techniques. It requires 4 products (primer, foundation, powder, concealer). I am including different techniques to try depending on the (what I consider to be on my face) imperfections that need to be hidden. If you are doing a lot of coverage, it will take time to get results. I have never experienced a breakout with the products mentioned. I do not do this everyday--just for special occasions. For this tutorial, I used powder, which I normally don't, so it looks very matte and thicker than usual. I know this tutorial has helped many of you, so enjoy! 

C R I T E R I A: 

easy on the budget (as many drugstore products as possible)

good coverage

--I tried to use as many "for everyone" products as I could. I'm skipping facial primer all over my face because it causes some to break out, instead using it on areas with biggest pores.

--Again, I don't do this everyday, and this can take a little time depending on what you want concealed.

T O O L S:

• Benefit Porefessional Primer
• Revlon 24 Hour Colorstay Whipped (this looks better as the day goes on, I'm convinced)
• Physician's Formula Cover ToxTen (it makes me very matte/hides pores. Rimmel Matte is my recommendation for those with oily skin)
• Beauty Blender Dupe
• Concealer(s) of choice
• Flat top brush
• Powder brush
• Small pointed eyeliner brush

before/after

M E T H O D:

Pores:

• Wet your face with cold water. 
• Using fingers, rub & pat Benefit Porefessional only into areas that have those big pores until blended. You cannot shrink pores--nope--but you can minimize their appearance. 
• To further insure everything is blended, I take a brush and swirl clockwise and counterclockwise until the pores are gone. I give the primer have a few minutes to set and soak in.
• For this tutorial, after doing the steps below, I pushed powder into my pores to completely hide them temporarily, using a powder puff.

Freckles & Redness:

• Dampen your beauty blender dupe & set aside. The damp sponge will help to create that flawless, smooth, airbrushed look.
• Dot the Revlon Colorstay Whipped onto the face. I use the top/applicator to place it on my cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin. I like the Whipped version because it blends so well; however, the original Colorstay has formulas for dry, oily, and combo skin.
• Use the dampened sponge to pat/press and roll the foundation into place--don't use it to drag the foundation. All you'll do is just drag the foundation around and it'll end up on the sponge. 
• I do a small second coat of foundation only if/where needed.
• Use a flat top kabuki brush, like this one from Sigma, and swirl clockwise and counter, just to make sure it's all blended. 
• I let it set while I do my concealer under my eyes.
• Since I have wrinkles (grr), I use the Physician's Formula Cover Tox Ten. I love this and apply with a powder brush, like this $3 one from ELF. Use a clean (or just rub the brush on a towel) powder brush to go back over the face. There should be no product on the brush--it's just to brush off any facial excess. If you have oily skin, you might want to try Rimmel's Stay Matte Powder.
• Optional: You shouldn't need one, using this method, but you can use a setting spray (try Urban Decay or ELF). I DIY my own Makeup Setting Spray. If you have super dry skin, setting spray can dry you out, so keep that in mind.

Pimples:

• I don't have any to cover, but this is how to cover a pimple. Never use concealer to hide a zit unless it matches your skin tone exactly. All you'll do is highlight it, since concealers are usually lighter than our skin tone.
• Use a small, pointed brush and dip the tiniest bit of foundation. I like to dip into the cap/top of the foundation. You'll need the smallest amount. Smaller than you think!
• Dab onto and around pimple and then blend. Repeat if needed until completely covered. Set with powder.

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