There’s no reason to skip foundation if you’re looking to perfect your mug, but the difference between an airbrushed-quality result and a slathered-on pancake look lies in how you put it on, not even necessarily which product you use or how much of it you ultimately layer on.

Professional makeup artist Sandy Linter recommends using “either a damp sponge or a foundation brush to dot it all over your face in tiny amounts,” according to Allure.

This “less is more” strategy is applicable to lots of other products we use on a day to day basis, so take heed when you’re putting on your concealer, powder, blush, mascara and shadow. If you start with just a few strokes and gradually build it up your desired intensity, you’ll be on the road to owning your makeup mastery and applying your products with the control and precision of the most experienced beauty guru.

While you’re on the way to mastering this delicate balance, it may be a good idea to invest in a quality makeup remover for all of the moments where you’ll just have to start over.