Makeup for Men: 4 Foundations That Flawlessly Minimize Imperfections
May 18, 2020There was a time when makeup for men was considered taboo. It’s not exactly a secret that male actors, television hosts and newscasters have long worn foundation and concealer on camera, but it still wasn’t openly discussed. However, thanks to social media and the beauty industry becoming more inclusive, it’s becoming less of a stigma and more men are opting to wear foundation and makeup to help enhance their skin’s appearance both IRL and on video calls. Wanting to diminish the appearances of blemishes and signs of aging and fatigue in a subtle and natural-looking way shouldn’t be exclusive to self-identifying females.
Looking to try foundation but not sure where to start? We’re rounding up four great options for any gender. But before we dive in, here’s a primer on how to apply foundation correctly.
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Step 1
Start With a Clean Canvas
Foundation will only look as smooth as the skin underneath, so maintaining a skin-care regimen is key. Before applying makeup, thoroughly cleanse, hydrate and protect with broad-spectrum sunscreen. Equally important is removing your makeup at the end of the day. To do so, try Dermablend’s Makeup Dissolver.
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Step 2
Prime Your Skin
While primer is not a must, it can help to ensure your foundation stays in place over the course of the day. If you have oily skin, reach for a mattifying primer that can help absorb excess oil on the skin’s surface.
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Step 3
Blend
A big part of achieving a natural finish is to apply foundation the right way. Instead of smearing and rubbing foundation into skin, gently tap and massage it in. The warmth of your fingertips can help to make the foundation melt into your skin. If you don’t want to use your (clean) fingers, use a brush or blending sponge.
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Our Favorite Foundations for Men
Dermablend Smooth Liquid Camo Foundation
This medium-coverage foundation boasts broad-spectrum SPF 25 to help protect your skin against harmful UV rays. It’s recommended for uneven skin tones, or those dealing with hyperpigmentation and/or redness. To help address these concerns, simply apply this foundation as needed and build up coverage as needed. All-day hydration and a lightweight finish are additional benefits you can expect.
For lightweight coverage and a barely-there feel, a BB cream is the way to go. This imperfection-blurring formula from Kiehl’s is hydrating and provides SPF 50 protection.
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Longwear Foundation
For longwear foundation with a matte finish, consider Infallible Pro-Matte your new go-to. It offers medium coverage that applies smoothly and evenly thanks to its creamy texture.
YSL Beauty All Hours Foundation Stick
Stick foundations make application a breeze. This one from YSL Beauty has a unique cream-to-powder formula to control shine and excess oil throughout the day. Use it all over your face or as a concealer to cover up blemishes or uneven skin tone.