The most important aspect to foundation is choosing the proper type for you. There are cream, powder, liquid, and even moose foundations. Personally, I use powder because I have such an oily face. Unfortunately, powder offers the least amount of coverage. Liquid, I would say, provides the most, but does not agree with oily faces like mine (though it does moisturize a drier face). For maximum coverage, some girls apply liquid foundation with a layer of powder on top (beware: making either layer too thick will result in a cakey look). The cream and moose foundations generally provide medium coverage.
As far as an applicator goes, this depends on both the person and type of foundation. Personally, I use a brush for my powder. It is relatively small for a foundation brush (not much bigger than a quarter in diameter) and has compact bristles for a more controlled application. Some people prefer a very big, very fluffy brush for their foundation. For cream, liquid, and moose foundations a make up sponge can be used, but a flat foundation brush (like an over sized concealer brush) generally seems to be a better method. Fingers can also be used, but again, the brush is the way to go (just make sure you clean it often to rid it of the leftover bacteria from your face and to create a more smooth look to your foundation).
Another equally important aspect to foundation is finding your perfect shade. This is a complicated process. The best thing to do is go to a professional make up store (Ulta, Sephore, MAC, Clinique, etc.) and have a store representative do it for you. You have to know what type of undertones your skin has as well as what foundations would match those undertones, and a store representative will be trained in this. Even if you don't buy your foundation from that store, it's a good thing to do. I realize a lot of really high end make up is way out of most people's price range! Just go to your favorite drug store and try to match that shade. If you go home and realize it doesn't match, a lot of stores let you return it. If not, well, just learn from your mistake.
Let's talk about concealer. Just like foundation itself, you have a lot of options. I have actually come across powder concealers (which I haven't tried as I don't understand exactly how it doesn't get swirled around your face with your foundation). The three most popular types of concealer I have seen are liquid, cream, and stick. I have tried all three, though none have worked for me. Usually (from my experience at least) concealer and powder foundation don't mix. After a little of the day's wear and tear, the foundation comes off everywhere except the concealer spots, leaving a very obvious circle. For those of you who can actually wear concealer, let's talk about the different types. All should be used with a concealer brush (this one has relatively soft, very compact bristles and is flat), though both the stick and liquid concealer can be used with just fingers. I think all three types work relatively the same. Here, personal preference seems to be the only deciding factor when choosing a concealer. One tip I have for applying concealer is to cover an area slightly greater than the area you actually want covered. This is so that when you apply your foundation, it does not wipe the edge of your concealer away to reveal whatever you'd like concealed.
Now, on to the fun stuff. Foundation is really only a blank canvas for your face. Contouring and highlighting is the paint. Here are the best places to put your bronzer: temples, under cheekbones, sides of nose, and sides of chin on jawbone. Pinpointing your bronzer adds self-created shadow to your face. Shadow on your temples creates a more stream line look to your face (thinner). Shadow under your cheekbones creates more defined cheekbones. Shadow on the sides of your nose creates a thinner nose. Shadow on the sides of your chin on your jawbone create a more pronounced chin (think Reese Witherspoon, but a little less pronounced than that).
As far as highlighting goes, hit the middle of your forehead, nose, and chin. These are the spots where the most natural light would hit your face. This gives your face a natural glow. Personally I think highlighter should be a shimmery champagne color, but it's really up to the wearer. It can also replace blush and go on your cheekbones or the apple of your cheeks (the protruding part of your cheeks when you smile). You have to find which spot works best for your face.
One last tip for foundation. Put it on after your eye make up! While most women do this the other way around, saving your foundation for last allows you to correct some of the mistakes you made when applying your eye make up. Things like fall out on your cheekbones or a bit of mascara under your eye.
Aaaaand here's the end look! Well, sometimes...
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