Patrick Ta's Layering Techniques

There's a reason a truly great makeup look stops you in your tracks. It's not one product doing all the work; it's the way each layer builds on the last, creating something that feels dimensional, alive, and undeniably real. That's the philosophy behind every Patrick Ta Beauty product, and it's the secret to achieving that signature glowing, sculpted, lit-from-within complexion that Patrick has become known for.

Explore Patrick Ta’s Face Makeup

There are two ways to approach the layering process: the classic method, where you build from skin prep through foundation and then into color, and Patrick's signature underpainting technique, where contour and blush go on before foundation. Both roads lead to a major face; it just depends on the finish you're after.

Method One: Classic Makeup Layering

This is the traditional approach, refined. Each product is applied in sequence, and the result is a polished, full-face look with buildable coverage and precise placement.

Step 1: Foundation

Every look starts here. Choose the Major Skin Crème Foundation & Finishing Powder Duo for a dewy, skin-like radiance with buildable coverage in one step, apply it to clean, primed skin, build to your desired level of coverage, then press the finishing powder onto oil-prone areas to set and blur. For a more luminous liquid skin finish, the Major Skin Hydra-Luxe Luminous Skin Perfecting Foundation delivers a weightless, perfected effect. Shake it well, add one to two pumps to the back of your hand, and work into the skin with a dense foundation brush from the center of the face outward, or use a damp sponge and a pouncing motion for a seamless, second-skin result.

Step 2: Conceal and Brighten

With your base in place, reach for the Major Skin Soft Blur Brightening Concealer. For under the eyes, go one to two shades lighter than your foundation to open and illuminate. For spot-correcting, match your foundation shade for the most natural result. Use the small domed end of the Dual-Ended Concealer Brush to build coverage with precision, then flip to the larger round end to buff the edges seamlessly into the skin.

1: Soften the Edges

Begin by using the fluffy side of your brush to gently blur the outer edges of the concealer. This diffuses the product into the skin, allowing the silky formula to melt seamlessly without disrupting the coverage at the center.

2: Let It Set

Resist the urge to blend immediately. Allow the concealer a few moments to settle into the skin. As it sits, the formula naturally builds in opacity — delivering more coverage without needing to apply extra product.

3: Build with Precision

Switch to the dense side of the brush and press additional pigment exactly where more correction is needed. Use controlled pressing motions rather than sweeping to concentrate coverage and maintain a smooth, polished finish.

Pro Tip

For the most flawless result, complete the look with the Major Skin 5-In-1 Blending Sponge. Lightly bounce it over the skin to fuse everything together and create an ultra-seamless, skin-like finish.

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Step 3: Sculpt and Contour

Now that skin is perfected, it's time to add dimension. Using the Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo and the Major Sculpt Dual-Ended Sculpting Brush, apply the crème contour with a gentle stamping motion along the cheekbones, jaw, forehead, and sides of the nose. Then sweep the talc-free powder bronzer with a fluffy complexion brush across the forehead, nose, and temples, anywhere the sun would naturally warm the skin.

Step 4: Flush With Blush

This is where Patrick's signature crème-over-powder technique comes in. With the Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo, sweep the powder formula onto the apples of your cheeks for a soft, airbrushed flush of color. Then apply the crème blush directly on top with your fingertips or a foundation brush. The crème melts into the powder to create a glossy, dimensional, life-like glow that photographs beautifully and wears all day.

Step 5: Illuminate and Set

Finish with the Major Glow Crème & Powder Light Reflecting Translucent Highlighter Duo. Sweep the powder highlighter onto the high points of your face, cheekbones, brow bone, the tip of your cupid's bow, then layer the crème highlighter on top to melt both formulas into something truly show-stopping. 

Method Two: Patrick's Signature Underpainting Technique

This is the technique that sets Patrick Ta apart. Underpainting flips the traditional order entirely, contour and blush go on before foundation, so that when the base is applied on top, the color and dimension appear to come from within the skin rather than sitting on the surface. The result is a more natural-looking, lived-in finish that blurs the line between skin and makeup, the difference between a face that looks painted and a face that looks perfected.

Step 1: Underpaint, Contour and Blush First

Starting on bare, primed skin, apply the Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo to the cheekbones, jaw, forehead, and nose using the Major Sculpt Dual-Ended Sculpting Brush. Don't worry about perfection here, blending will be easier once the foundation goes on top. Next, apply the crème side of the Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo to the apples of the cheeks with your fingertips. Keep it soft and buildable.

Step 2: Foundation Over the Top

Apply a thin, light layer of the Major Skin Hydra-Luxe Luminous Skin Perfecting Foundation over everything using a damp sponge in a pouncing motion. The key is sheerness, just enough to even and perfect the skin without obscuring the dimension underneath. As you blend, the contour and blush will peek through in the most natural, skin-like way.

Step 3: Conceal Where Needed

With the base now in place, spot-conceal with the Major Skin Soft Blur Brightening Concealer only where needed, under the eyes and any areas that need a little extra brightening. Because your base layer is already light, you'll likely need far less than usual.

Step 4: Intensify on Top

To deepen the look and lock in the dimension, layer the powder side of the Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo over the cheeks and the powder bronzer from the Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo over the contour areas. This locks in the underpainting and adds a polished, buildable finish on top.

Step 5: Illuminate and Set

Complete the look exactly as you would with the classic method: layer the Major Glow Crème & Powder Light Reflecting Translucent Highlighter Duo onto the high points of the face.

Which Method Is Right For You?

Choose classic layering when you want a polished, precise look with full control over coverage and color placement, ideal for events, editorial moments, or any time you want your makeup to feel intentional and defined. Choose underpainting when you want a more natural, diffused finish where skin and makeup become one, perfect for everyday wear, outdoor light, or any time you want your look to feel like an extension of yourself rather than something applied.

Either way, the products are the same. The order is everything.