Top 7 Tricks to Achieve Full Coverage for Uneven Skin Tone

Scars, the mask of pregnancy or melasma, freckles, and sunspots – these are just some of the skin discoloration issues that a lot of women deal with. They are all sources of insecurity for many of them and makeup is a temporary yet reliable solution.

Currently, there is a nice selection of foundations and concealers that effectively do the trick. For example, Estée Lauder’s Double Maximum Coverage has always been a top pick for full coverage. A small amount of this foundation completely conceals any type of unevenness with skin color. 

Other brands have followed suit – you have Laura Geller’s Cover Lock Cream Foundation, Jouer Essential High Coverage Foundation, No. 7 Stay Perfect Foundation, Maybelline Superstay Full Coverage Foundation, and for a powder option, there is BareMinerals’ Original SPF 15 foundation.

All of these foundations are the best starting point for even, flawless-looking skin with makeup – concealer is even optional because of how potent these products are. 

Needless to say, covering skin imperfections with these foundations is effortless. The only issue you have to tackle now is how to make your skin look naturally beautiful. For this, there are brilliant tips and tricks you can follow, which are shared below.

1.  Choose a foundation formula made for your specific skin type:

Don’t skip that little detail on the container of the foundation that indicates the skin type the formula is intended for. Taking this into account can do so much in ensuring the smoothest finish and longevity of the product, as well as diminish the risk of oxidation.

2.  Always prep your skin first:

Making sure your skin is hydrated, protected, and primed can help a great deal in ensuring long-wear even if most full coverage foundations are all already formulated with longevity in mind. 

Prepping the skin can actually minimize the occurrence of foundation oxidation. At the same time, it can help the product apply more easily – especially if you use Estée Lauder’s Double Maximum Coverage, which is known to set really quickly and has a matt finish. Best of all, it can help prevent your skin problem from getting worse.

3.  Use just a small amount of foundation:

Thick and heavy layers of full coverage foundation are no good. These will just exaggerate fine lines (and even create lines you do not have) and lead to obvious oxidation, both of which do not create a pretty look. 

It is best to use just a pearl-sized amount and see how far it will go in providing your entire face with decent coverage.

4.  Do not go too light with color correction:

You may be tempted to use a really light foundation or concealer to cover dark spots like melasma thinking it will lighten the darkness – do not fall into this temptation. Doing this will just make your entire makeup look seem like a mask. 

Instead, just use your normal shade and let the full coverage foundation do its work. If a little darkness still peeps through, use an orange or peachy-toned salmon concealer just for the spots. This is the best color-correcting solution for dark brown spots.

5.  Use dense brushes for spreading the foundation and concealer:

Apply the foundation using your fingers to target all the dark spots on your face, and then spread the foundation using a dense Kabuki brush. Be careful not to heavily buff the product in. Rather, use a stippling motion. This does not only help create a more skin-like finish, but it also prevents the product from “moving away” from your problematic spots.

However, if you find the foundation too thick on the areas of your face that do not really have skin tone issues, you can be more vigorous with the blending.

6.  Bring back dimension to your face by using a brightening concealer:

Just relying on your foundation for coverage will make your skin look quite flat – it’s okay, but it’s not your optimally healthy-looking skin. So, use a small amount of brightening concealer. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, L'Oreal Paris Lumi Magique Concealer, and Maybelline Age Rewind in Fair are some of the best options for the job.

These will bring dimension to your skin and add a bit more coverage. You can use your clean fingers to blend the product in without “disturbing” the foundation, or a small dense brush such as the Sigma P84 angled brush to tap in the product.

7.  Set everything:

Use a translucent setting powder to lock in your foundation and concealer, particularly if you have oily skin. But, if you have normal skin and the foundation sets matt, you can just concentrate the setting powder on those areas of your face that tend to get oily such as your T-zone. 

A light dusting of Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Powder, Dermablend Loose Setting Powder, or Kevyn Aucoin the Gossamer Loose Powder will do. These powders are so finely milled, they are guaranteed to create a smooth finish.

So, these are the tried and true tips for making full coverage foundation work beautifully for any type of skin discoloration. These techniques will ensure you can benefit from the true effects of your high performing concealer and foundation.

Author bio: Toni Malt is the Middle East's leading international editorial makeup artist and the woman behind the highly anticipated Toni Malt Makeup Academy in the heart of Dubai, now training the next generation of key makeup artists. From minimalistic looks to freestyle artistic creations, Toni's creative work has been published in top international fashion magazines around the world including VOGUE, ELLE, L'Officiel, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, Grazia and Cosmopolitan.