This post has been a long time coming. Here’s why one of my most asked questions is “Why does my makeup never look smooth or flawless when I do it?”. The answer to this is having a good morning skincare routine (and nighttime too). In today’s post, I am going to share a few tips that are going to help better achieve a flawless makeup application.
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6 Must-Dos to Prep Your Skin Before Makeup Application
When it comes to doing your makeup, a clean and prepped skin can really make a difference. Your skin is going to glow and ensure that you’re don’t wear off easily throughout the day. Some people actually forget that in order to get that perfect look you also need to prepare your skin for makeup right away.
1. Cleanse
You must wash your face with lukewarm water. I prefer to use a gentle/mild cleanser to help not only remove any oils, dirt but to also help even out my skin tone. This is going to help make your skin smoother.
How do you know if you’re picking the right cleanser?
- If you have acne-prone skin, you are going to want a cleanser that is slightly more acidic since this will help your skin fight off bacteria. [Salicylic acid unclogs the pores and gets rid of excess oil.]
- If you have sensitive skin you are going to want to stay away from cleansers that contain glycolic acid makes that are going to irritate your skin and induce redness. You are also going to want to stay away from cleansers that contain fragrance, parabens, are soap-free, and are hypoallergenic.
- If you have dry skin you are going to want to pick a gentle cleanser with moisturizing ingredients and fatty acids in the form of oil. Look for ingredients that have petrolatum, lanolin, and mineral oil.
- If you have oily skin you want cleansers that contain ingredients like aloe vera and tea tree oil which are both mild ingredients. These ingredients balance oil production and support the clarity of the skin. Stay away from cleansers that contain oil or alcohol which is going to amplify your oily skin type.
2. Exfoliate
When it comes to using an exfoliator you are going to want to make sure that it’s a gentle daily exfoliator that contains tiny granules that are circular in shape. Using an exfoliator helps remove dry dead skin which in return you’re uncovering new smooth skin beneath. Be sure to stay away from rough and irregular ingredients. This could actually do harm to your skin like tear your skin and make it excessively dry.
3. Toner and Serum
With exfoliating your skin you need to restore balance with a toner. By toning your skin, you are balancing its pH level. This is such an important step if you are either oily or dry. Because this hydrates the skin to not only help balance your skin producing oils but also hydrating the skin for those with dry skin.
Before you apply a moisturizer it’s still important to use a face serum that’s meant for your skin. If you have dry/sensitive skin you may want to use a serum that deeply nourishes and hydrates the skin. Like a Hyaluronic Acid Serum. If you have oily skin you want to use a serum that unclogs and minimizes pores.
A few of my favorite serums:
Dry Skin: Good Molecules Ultra Hydrating Face Oil & The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
Oily Skin: The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil,
All Skin Types: Dime Beauty Hyper Glow + Hyaluronic Acid Serum (use code: JV20) & Vichy LiftActiv Supreme
4. Eye Cream
You’d be surprised how many people forget to apply eye cream. Just like using a serum, your eye cream should be thin. This helps moisturize and even out the skin tone around your eyes so that you look more awake.
A few of my favorite eye creams:
- Laura Mercier Eye Cream
- Tula Glow & Get It Cooling Balm (use code:JASMINEMARIA)
- e.l.f Cosmetics Holy Hydration Eye Cream
- Pacifica Beauty Recovery Eye Cream
5. Moisturizers
DO NOT FORGET THIS! This step is also crucial. Even if you have oily or dry skin, you want to make sure you’re applying a moisturizer. When it comes to using a moisturizer before makeup, you want to use a moisturizer that’s light and not going to make the base oily. Another key important factor is that you’re using a moisturizer that’s meant for your skin type and offers all-day hydration.
My recommendations: Amie Clear & Calm Matte Moisturizer (oily skin), CoverFx Custom Blending Moisturizer (all skin types), and Glowoasis Glowburst Hydration Boosting Cream (dry skin).
6. Primer
Once you have done your skincare routine and let soak into your skin for about 10 mins. You want to make sure you are using a primer before applying your face. Just like when you are painting your walls or something, you need a primer in order for it to go on smoothly and for the foundation to last. I’ve talked about primers that I recommend based on your skin type!
Here’s what I use on my clients: Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer Hydrating (Dry Skin), DermaBlend Insta-Grip Primer (All Skin Types), and Tarte Poreless Mattifying Primer (Oily Skin)
I hope you find these tips/steps super easy to do so that your makeup starts looking flawless.
