Foundation, Concealer and Powder: How to Layer Your Base Makeup

The products you choose, how you apply them, and even your makeup order can be the difference between flawless, skin-like coverage and a cakey finish.

Despite what your 2016 beauty tutorials may have taught you, a great base isn’t about piling on as much product as possible. It’s about using formulas that are made to layer, so each step works with the next – instead of sitting heavily on top.

Our Wonder Collection is infused with skincare ingredients and designed to sculpt, brighten and blur. Each product has been created to build on the last, helping you create a smooth base makeup look that still looks and feels like your skin.

Below, we'll break down how to layer makeup in the correct order and show you exactly how to build a natural-looking base makeup that lasts.

Base makeup order: a step-by-step routine

Getting your foundation concealer powder order right is one of the easiest ways to level up your makeup skills.

So now, read on for a simple base makeup routine that you can nail in under 10 minutes.

Step 1: Prime your base

Applying makeup onto dehydrated skin is a bit like forgetting to grease a pan when you are cooking – everything sticks where it shouldn't, and nothing moves where it should! To avoid this, always start your base makeup routine with your usual skincare and the right primer.

Our The Face Glue Primer is formulated with polyglutamic acid and maple syrup (yes, really – maple syrup is naturally rich in antioxidants and helps lock moisture into your skin), enabling this lightweight primer to glue your makeup in place for up to 24 hours.

To apply, dispense a small amount of primer and blend evenly across your face. It starts as a white gel – don't panic – it sheers out to nothing as you blend, leaving a smooth, soft-focus finish that's ready for foundation.

Step 2: Apply your foundation in thin, even layers

When it comes to choosing the right foundation for your base makeup, our Make 'Em Wonder Soft Matte Buildable Foundation does more than just cover – its skincare-infused formula combines guarana seed extract for brightening and hyaluronic acid for instant hydration that lasts for up to 24 hours.

To build your base seamlessly:

• Dot the foundation directly onto your face: Forehead, cheeks, nose and chin – rather than applying it to your beauty blender first. This stops the sponge from absorbing the product before it reaches your skin.
• Blend with a damp beauty blender: Damp, not wet – this is your sweet spot for smooth, natural-looking coverage.
• Build in thin layers: One thick coat is the fastest route to a cakey finish. Apply a light layer, blend it out completely, then add more only where you need it.

Step 3: Conceal where desired

Once you’re happy with your foundation coverage, go in with concealer only where you want extra coverage, brightness or shape.

Our Wonder Snatch™ Concealer is designed to deliver buildable coverage with a soft matte finish. Infused with guarana extract for energising, skin-boosting effects and peptides, the waterproof formula blends seamlessly without settling into fine lines, while delivering up to 24 hours of hydration where your skin needs it most.

The applicator is designed to help tailor your snatch, too. Its flat edge makes it easy to swipe product directly onto larger areas of the face, while the pointed tip allows for more precise application when you want to brighten, conceal or sculpt with extra control.

With 12 creamy shades, you can choose your true skin match to conceal – or go slightly lighter for a brighter, extra-snatched look.\

Here's how to use concealer with foundation for the best results:

• Under eyes: Place three small dots under each eye, then blend upward and outward with your finger, brush or sponge.
• Spots and redness: Press and dab concealer over the area instead of swiping. When you swipe, you move the product around and sheer out the coverage.
• Sculpting: Use Wonder Snatch Concealer's pointed slanted tip to trace your nose bridge, inner corners, cheekbones and jawline. Blend the edges softly so the concealer melts into your foundation.

Not sure what shade to go with? Use our virtual try-on tool to find your perfect match.

Step 4: Gently sculpt

Now it's time to add a little definition. Contour is the step in your base makeup routine that creates shape and dimension, helping your cheekbones appear lifted and your jawline sharp.

Our Wonder Stick Contour and Highlighter Stick makes contouring foolproof. Its pen-like design gives you precise control, while the creamy formula glides on seamlessly and blends without leaving behind harsh lines or muddy patches. On the other end, you'll find a buildable highlighter ready to add brightness once your makeup base is complete.

When you layer makeup, focus your contour on the areas where natural shadows would fall, including:

• Cheekbones: Apply just above the top of your ear and blend diagonally toward your mouth, stopping beneath the outer corner of your eye. This helps create the illusion of lifted, more defined cheekbones.
• Jawline: Sweep contour underneath your jawbone to create a natural-looking shadow that adds definition and sharpens the lower half of the face.
• Forehead: Blend along the hairline and temples to subtly frame your face.
• Nose: Draw two soft lines down either side of the bridge and add a small "V" at the tip. Once blended, it creates the illusion of a more defined nose.

Step 5: Powder the face

Setting powder is the step people either skip entirely or overdo – both equally devastating. Done right, setting powder controls shine and keeps your base makeup looking fresh for hours.

Our Wonder Snatch Lifting Setting Powder delivers up to 16 hours of sweatproof, airbrushed wear. If you've avoided loose powder for fear of flashback – that ghostly, washed-out effect that shows up in photos – you’ll love this powder. Infused with green tea and peptides, this setting powder blurs and sets…without leaving a chalky cast behind!

The range comes in both brightening and translucent shades, so you can tailor your set to your base makeup goals. Choose a brightening shade to help illuminate areas like the under eyes, centre of the forehead, bridge of the nose or chin, or opt for a translucent shade to set your makeup more seamlessly without adding extra colour.

To set your base makeup correctly:

1. Apply generously to the areas most prone to movement: under the eyes, the T-zone, anywhere that tends to crease.
2. Leave it for one to two minutes, or up to five to ten if you're baking (pressing powder into the skin and letting body heat set it for a more locked-in finish).
3. Dust off the excess with a fluffy brush.

Step 6: Set and forget with spray

Once your powder is set, seal it with our Dewy Finish Setting Spray. One quick spray melts the powder into your base – softening any powdery texture, extending the wear of your makeup base for up to 16 hours, and giving you a seamless, skin-like finish.

Spritz at arm's length and let it dry naturally (waving your face around like a hand dryer is optional, but widely practised). No touching, no blotting – just leave it to do its thing.

Want to know more about setting spray? Find out why setting sprays really work.

Now that your base makeup is sorted, next up in your makeup order is your lip combo – so get our guide on how to apply lip liner for the perfect pout!