How To Prep Skin Before Makeup For A Flawless, Long-Lasting Look
Here’s an easy guide on how to prep skin before makeup for a flawless, long-lasting look. Following the tips and tricks below will not only help makeup look better and last longer, but it will also protect the skin.
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Why do I need to prep skin before makeup?
It’s simple: makeup looks and applies better on hydrated (aka well prepped!) skin. Why? Because all the hydration and other benefits from the skincare routine plumps up the skin and adds a natural radiance. Hydrated skin reduces the appearance of fine lines, which means makeup won’t settle into them, and the skin overall looks more even and radiant.
Prepping the skin properly also creates an even base, covering up any dry or scaly patches, ensuring your base products i.e. foundation and concealer looks natural and well-blended into the skin.
Do a full skincare routine to prep skin before makeup
Make sure to do a full skincare routine before applying makeup. This will ensure the skin is clean, balanced and hydrated — and ready for makeup.
For the daytime: cleanser, toner / essence / serum, moisturizer and sunscreen.
For the evening time: cleanser, essence, moisturizer.
Pro tips for skin prep
1. Use a sheet mask or hydrating toner/essence for a flawless application
To avoid the feeling of foundation or concealer sitting on top of the skin or feeling heavy on the skin, be sure to use a hydrating toner or serum before applying moisturizer. This allows the moisturizer to absorb properly into the skin and create an even base, which means any makeup product applied on top will blend seamlessly.
This is the reason why you see many influencers, models and celebrities wear eye masks and sheet masks before getting makeup professionally done!
2. Pay close attention to the formula of the moisturizer
Not all moisturizers look great under makeup. If the formula is more lotion-like and runny, then it might cause the makeup to slip and slide. If the formula is too thick and creamy, then makeup will feel heavy, cakey and may not blend well. My go-to formula for moisturizer under makeup is a gel-cream. These ones work great for acne-prone skin too!
3. Warm up moisturizer in the palms before application
Warm up moisturizer in the palms of your hand for a few seconds then pat and press into the skin. Repeat the pressing motion 2-3 times. This technique allows for maximum absorption and depuffs the face at the same time.
4. Don’t forget the lips — use a hydrating lip balm or mask
After all the skin prep is done, apply a hydrating lip balm or mask while applying makeup and remove it just before lipstick application. This will soften and hydrate the lips, especially if you are wearing a matte or liquid lipstick.
5. During the daytime, always wear regular sunscreen under makeup
Makeup or no makeup, your skin requires proper protection against the sun. Makeup products such as foundations, BB creams, and foundations with SPF do not provide the same level of protection as a regular sunscreen (you would need to apply 4-5 times the amount to achieve the same level of protection, just as an FYI). So, always apply sunscreen under makeup and then you can always go on top with other makeup products with added SPF, if you like.
Related:
Best Sunscreens For Acne-Prone Skin With No White Cast
Why You Need To Try Japanese Sunscreens
6. Using a makeup primer is optional
Little known fact: you don’t have to use a makeup primer, if your skin doesn’t need it. Essentially, makeup primer makes the skin tacky, so the makeup has something to adhere to. If you have excessively oily skin, then use a primer after moisturizer to help the makeup last longer (and not slip off due to oiliness). Some primers are also good for reducing the appearance of pores, so that’s another reason you might choose to use it before makeup application.
7. Take skin prep one step further with exfoliation
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells, unclogging pores and evening skin texture using exfoliants, which can be in the form of a physical scrub, chemical exfoliating toner (AHA or BHA toner) or face mask. This step is after cleanser and before toner/serum/essence and leaves the skin smooth and even for flawless application. My preferred exfoliant is in a toner formula, which I use 2-3x a week.
If you don’t use an exfoliant in your regular skincare routine, but want to exfoliate the skin before makeup, then use a clay face mask for 5-10 minutes. This will help tighten pores and even skin texture.
Related:
How To Use A BHA Exfoliant
8. Always do a double cleanse to effectively remove all makeup
While skin prep is important before makeup application; what happens after matters just as much because your makeup looks as good as your skin feels. Especially, if you wear makeup every day or very frequently, then you pay extra close attention to removing the makeup and cleansing and hydrating the skin properly every night. This also helps prevent breakouts and other skin concerns.
Related:
The Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil Is Great For Oily And Acne-Prone Skin
