Pro Hacks for a Flawless Base (According To A Makeup Artist)

If you are constantly trying to achieve that flawless base look, but can’t seem to figure out the perfect technique, these tips for a solid base routine are guaranteed to help you get red carpet ready.

Cassandra Candelaria, owner of Candelaria Beauty sat down with 303 Magazine to give us the inside scoop on all the best makeup tips. She has been doing makeup professionally for 15 years and has built an inspiring and inclusive community at her company.

Candelaria prides herself in her ability to be a calming presence to nervous brides and loves being a part of someone’s special day. When asked what inspires her about makeup she spoke about the empowerment she feels through makeup: that it’s not about covering up anything but being able to express yourself. 

A Flawless Base Starts With Skin Prep

All Photos Courtesy of @Candelariabeautyco on Instagram

Now, when it comes to creating a perfect base routine that is sure to be a winner every time, Candelaria shared that it is all about what comes before the foundation.

Skin prep is the most important part of a makeup routine and should not be skipped over or ignored. Inconsistent skin care is the main reason why products don’t appear smooth on the skin or why we sometimes experience pilling of makeup, which is sure to ruin your fun getting ready vibes.

Candelaria’s secret tips include Indie Lee Squalane facial oil, the Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturizer, and a spray of the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray in that order. These steps are especially helpful if the dry climate of Denver is affecting your skin texture. However, for more oily skin, just a spray of the Charlotte Tilbury setting spray will do the trick along with normal skincare. 

Best Primer For Your Base Routine

Getting into actual makeup products, primer is not a necessary step according to this professional. Unless it’s a special occasion where you need the makeup to last for hours on end, Candelaria would go without it. But if you need that extra grip, go for the Milk Hydrogrip Hydrating Makeup Primer, but make sure you remember to wait for it to dry down before applying any foundation on top. 

Foundation Tips For A Flawless Base

For foundation, our main ingredient in this recipe, there are many different ways one can go. One big recommendation Candelaria shared was the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Foundation, raved about for its glowy finish and range in shades.

However, if it’s more full coverage you are wanting, she suggests going for the Estée Lauder Double Wear. With a bit of a thicker consistency, it is sure to cover up any blemishes and hyperpigmentation. Another great option for light coverage and evening out the skin tone is the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.

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Application Techniques

When it comes to application, Candelaria weighed in on the beauty blender versus brush debate, and she stated that it truly depends on the heaviness of the product.

For something that is light like the Luminous Silk, a beauty blender might end up taking more product away than applying it, so a brush is the way to go. But for heavier foundations, a beauty blender will do the job.

Candelaria actually suggests a little bit of both: a brush for applying the product initially and a sponge for adding some extra coverage and blending out the product more thoroughly. Her favorite foundation brush is the Sephora PRO Foundation Brush #47, noting the brush’s perfect mix of density and fluffiness designed to spread product on the face flawlessly. 

Concealer Techniques For A Flawless Base

Next up is concealer, and Candelaria shared with us some tips to avoid an overly bright under eye that might make your base look cakey or unnatural.

Her pick for a hydrating concealer is the Tower 28 Swipe Serum Concealer — though she did shout out a popular favorite, the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer for a thinner consistency.

Her recommendations for applying concealer on the under eye start with color correcting, stating that color correcting is the best way to counteract any darkness (not caking on concealer).

Next, Candelaria recommends applying a concealer that is as close to your natural skin tone as possible and blending that in. Finally, if you want some brightness, use a slightly lighter shade very sparingly on top of that. This should make your flawless base have a perfect blend.

Tips For Powder and Setting Spray

To lock everything into place, choose the right powder for the look you want.

For the glowy fans that like to shine without looking shiny, Candelaria recommends the By Terry Hyaluronic Pressed Hydra-Powder 8HA. It actually has a moisturizing element and creates a smooth finish without taking away the dew.

She also uses the Huda Beauty Easy Bake Blurring Loose Baking & Setting Powder in the color Cherry Blossom. Its light pink hue helps to neutralize under eye darkness. And for overall setting, the RCMA No Color Powder, is a perfect go to for finishing off any makeup look.

Don’t forget to top it off with a spritz of the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray so your hard work lasts. 

These are all the products and tips that Cassandra Candelaria recommends for the best possible base for whatever look you create to express yourself. If you take one thing from this guide, it should be that skin care is always the best product to invest in. The better canvas you start out with, the cleaner the product will be.

Candelaria Beauty is located at 2421 28th Ave Denver, Colorado 80205.