18 Life-Changing Foundation Hacks to Try Today for a Flawless Base, Every Time

Makeup hacks for foundation are up there with the most commonly asked beauty questions I get.

Because let's face it (pun intended), foundation can be confusing!

Makeup tips for foundation application. Foundation tips and tricks. How to find your foundation shade online. How to apply foundation. Liquid foundation tips for beginners.

See? Lots to consider, but your good friends at Adore Beauty are here to help.

The thing about foundations is, the right one for me might not be the right one for you.

Your skin type, skin concerns, skin tone and undertone, preferred finish and level of coverage, budget and where you're wearing the foundation can influence which is the best foundation for you.

Because the best foundation tips are often pretty personal - and sometimes even a little bit weird - I begged my AB colleagues to share the best foundation tips and secrets they've found that work for them.

From insider makeup artist intel to foundation application tricks and everything in between, here are 18 foundation hacks that have legitimately changed our lives...

In a very non-dramatic way.

1. "Ever wondered if you should apply moisturiser before foundation? The answer is yes, but I've found waiting 25-30 mins after my skin care before applying foundation is key. I used to go straight in after skin care, and would be so confused as to why the foundation would slip and slide." - Karin.

2. "Learning how to choose the right foundation for your skin type is a game-changer! I'm oily, so Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Makeup Foundation works for me, but one of the best foundation hacks for dry skin is to choose a dewy finish foundation." - Maddy.

3. "A spritz or two of a hydrating mist can work wonders when foundation just isn't sitting right. It's the best way how to make powder foundation look dewy, and even how to blend liquid foundation into the neck and how to avoid foundation lines." - Alexina.

4. "The best way to apply foundation with a sponge is to focus on the centre of the face first, then move and blend product outwards to avoid caking on too much! It's a small detail, but one of the best tips for applying liquid foundation I've tried." - Angela.

5. "How to get glowy foundation to last on oily skin 101 - prep with a dewy or glowy moisturiser. You could also put liquid highlighter on before foundation, but still use an oily skin primer or a shine control primer only in the areas you get shiny like the T-zone." - Hannah.

6. "Foundation application tips and tricks are pretty personal, but one of my top blending foundation tips is using a flat stippling foundation brush. I've used all different types of methods (beauty blender, fingers, other brushes) but nothing compares!" - Amy.

7. "I'm an over 40s makeup expert, and the more product you put on your skin, the more likely it will gather and sit in your crinkles and wrinkles. It’s time to move away from the matte-finish, full coverage, layers and layers of foundation, and towards thinner layers, and lightweight, light-reflecting formulas." - Amanda.

8. "Forget the powder before foundation hack you saw on TikTok - for a filter-like finish, pack on loose powder over your foundation (baking style), then dust it off and drench the skin in setting spray." - Chloe.

9. "Adding more powder to fix foundation that's separated or settled in pores only accentuates skin texture more. Use a small brush to apply powder precisely only to oily areas. Touching up during the day isn't a bad thing - a little touch up keeps foundation looking fresh, whereas packing on powder adds extra texture to the skin." - Marie.

10. I'm a primer-before-foundation girl because I have oily skin and it helps my foundation grip better and not slip around!" - Sadaf.

11. "Learning how to find the best foundation for your skin tone can be tricky, especially when it comes to how to match your skin tone with foundation online. Foundations are broken down into skin tones (how light or dark your skin pigment is) and undertones (the colour that shows through the skin). The Findation tool lets you put in shades of foundations you already love so you can find your shade when buying a new foundation online!" - Megan.

12. "Can you use a concealer as a foundation? Um yes. If I just can’t be bothered to cover my whole face, I conceal my under-eyes and any red bits on my face, and blend it out to even out my complexion." - Maddy S.

13. "I have oily skin and I've mastered these perfect foundation tips: Prep the skin the morning of your event with lots of hydrating skin care. Then before the event when you go to do your makeup, no more moisturiser. Just primer then foundation with either a sponge or flat stippling brush!" - Julie.

14. "I always get asked about foundation tips for freckles! I wouldn't feel like me if I covered mine up, so I pick sheer coverage foundations to even out my skin tone, but use concealer for coverage." - Amy.

15. "A guru once told me to apply foundation like you would nail polish, little by little, layer by layer. If you apply a thicker layer and try to blend it out, it will be a mess. Just like nail polish." - Chloe.

16. If you want to know how to make a dark foundation lighter or how to fix foundation that is too light, I like to turn my makeup desk into a little lab to DIY my perfect foundation. Think: Mixing a sheerer, glowier formula with a medium coverage formula for extra staying power, using a lighter shade to better match a new foundation in the winter months, mixing a foundation with a moisturiser for a subtle tint, or mixing a glowy primer with a foundation for extra glow." - Kathryn.

17. "Getting the best foundation for mature skin result comes down to strategic placement. Take a look in the mirror; where are the zones you’d like more coverage? It’s probably a very small percentage of your face. Build coverage in these zones only. Then, put your brush down. Step back, take a look at the zones that might need a little more coverage, and just build it up in those targeted areas." - Amanda.

18. "90 per cent of the time, flaky makeup is caused by using the wrong skincare product(s), not the wrong foundation. Things like not removing makeup properly, using an exfoliant, picking a good moisturiser and primer." - Marie.

You're welcome.

Did you know it's been a year since we launched the Global Shades movement? We've come so far, but there's still work to do.

If you believe beauty in Australia should include everyone, sign our Global Shades digital petition today and share it using the hashtag #StockAllShades.