1. Wash & Exfoliate your face: just as a painter sands away old paint before applying a new coat, so we also need to keep our faces clean and smooth. Pick a face wash that works with your skin type (dry, oily, or combination) and invest in a good face exfoliator. These little hand held machines are powered to give you a deeper scrub that will lift any dirt and impurities out of your pores, leaving a clean canvas for your foundation. Here's the one I use and recommend- Mary Kay Skinvigorate Cleansing Brush. But if you don't want to spend the extra bucks on a brush, then any exfoliating product can work, such as St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub.
2. Use a primer: Back to the example of the painter- after he sands away the old coat of paint, he applies a primer so the new paint can adhere to the object he's painting. A face primer creates a smooth barrier between your face and the foundation, filling in lines and pores to create a flawless finish. This is the primer
I recommend on my essential page.
3. Pick a foundation created for you skin type: Not all faces are created alike, and so is the same with foundation. Pick foundations that have ingredients that will work with your skin type. For example, oily skin types will want to look for the words "matte" and "oil control" on the packaging, which help to control shine and excess oil. For dry skin types, words like "hydrating"and "dewy" will tell you that the foundation works to replenish the skin.
4. Set it and forget it: Now that you've done all this work in creating a flawless canvas on your face, you must lock it all in to ensure lasting results. A translucent powder is great to set foundation because its lightweight and does not alter the color of the foundation. However, you can also set it with any face powder, or for even more full coverage, with a powder foundation (check out my post on my favorite powder foundation).
With these simple tips you're on your way to a flawless canvas! Your inner beauty will shine through and no "big bad wolf" will take that beauty away!