It’s safe to say foundation is one of the trickiest makeup products. For starters, there’s learning how to apply foundation correctly. Then you need to decide the best formula for your skin, along with shade-matching your perfect colour.

You’ve undoubtedly watched all the TikToks and seen a bunch of methods, from foundation brushes and blenders to outrageous trends. But if you still haven’t found the right application technique, you may be wondering how pro makeup artists do it on the daily. We’ve all admired the airbrushed, flawless complexions of celebrities, and while some of it may be Photoshop, it could also just be really great foundation.

But when you’ve tried to recreate the same magic, you’re getting streaky and splotchy instead of smooth and soft-focused. What gives? To get to the bottom of things, we asked two pro makeup artists, Nick Barose and Melissa Murdick, to let us in on their methods for applying foundation. Turns out, it’s not as tricky as people make it seem online.

“Applying foundation to give your complexion that healthy glow and even tone is less complicated than most tutorials make it seem,” says Barose, Armani Beauty makeup artist and longtime MUA for Lupita Nyong’o. “First of all, know that your face is not a wall, so you don’t need to apply foundation evenly everywhere. That’s when it’d look unnatural, heavy, and flat. Apply it only to where you need, and always be sure to avoid putting it over areas with lines, like smile lines, since that would bring them out even more.”

Ahead, Barose and Murdick share their definitive guide on how to apply foundation, along with the best products to use.

READ MORE: How to apply concealer and how to apply tinted moisturiser.

Skin prep is everything.

Both Barose and Murdick insist that prepping the skin is a crucial step, so definitely don’t skip it. After all, it makes sense that foundation needs a strong base for seamless and long-lasting coverage.

“Skin prep is super important before foundation,” says Murdick, founder of The Pretty Fix and Selena Gomez’s longtime MUA. “The first thing I do is assess what each person’s skin needs. I will literally feel around their face to see if their skin feels dry or oily. From there, I typically clean their skin with a bit of toner and apply a moisturiser that will leave the skin balanced.”

Murdick recommends Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre, Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream, and the Natura Bisse Diamond Gel Cream to get skin in top shape. “I want the skin to feel soft and supple, but not covered in a thick layer of product that hasn’t absorbed. I may apply a primer that is suited to their skin type.

“Oily folks will typically get a thin layer of Hourglass Veil Primer. Dry folks will typically get the Rare Beauty Illuminating Primer,” she says. Do not use more than a pea-sized amount of primer, since it will be too slippery and potentially cause streaks. Another great trick? “Spritz setting spray over your primer before you do foundation. This really helps everything stay put.”

Barose incorporates a relaxing massage into his skin prep. “I love to first massage a good moisturiser into the skin from face to neck,” he says. “Love Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream. Let it absorb for five minutes, then blot away excess with tissue. This helps prevent excess product from turning the foundation oily.”