As with first dates and fancy meals, makeup application requires preparation. Before you apply a single drop of concealer or foundation, you need to ensure that your skin is clean and moisturised. However, you’d be surprised to know that many people skip out on this important skin care routine and just make a beeline for their makeup bags. This is because many don’t understand how critical it is to prep their skin beforehand.
In reality, if you skip prepping your skin before applying makeup, you could end up with clogged pores which will, in turn, lead to breakouts. Even worse, it could entirely ruin the outcome of your look forcing you to do touch-ups throughout the day. So before you use any makeup on your face, you have to first take good care of the skin underneath.
The good news is preparing your skin for makeup is actually pretty simple – all you have to do is follow the below six steps:
How to prepare your skin for makeup
1. Start by cleansing your skin
The first step in your skincare routine should be cleansing because this helps get rid of dirt, oil and any other impurities on the surface of your skin.
How to choose the best cleanser
Choosing the right cleanser is very important. If you have sensitive skin, stay away from cleansers with strong ingredients like hydroxyl and glycolic acid as they could further irritate your skin. Look for something gentle enough to soothe your skin. Even better, go for a pH balanced cleanser. This is because the skin’s natural pH is between 4 and 6.
So if you don’t have a problematic skin, look for a cleanser that matches your skin’s pH. If on the other hand, you have acne, look for a cleanser with a slightly higher pH than that of your skin to help you ward off bacteria. Thoroughly rinse your skin after cleansing to ensure no residue remains behind.
2. Exfoliate your face and neck
No one likes clogged makeup, so to ensure your face doesn’t end up looking cakey- you should exfoliate to get rid of dead skin cells. Exfoliating reveals the smooth skin beneath your face that would have otherwise been hidden.
How to choose the best exfoliator
Just like your cleanser, you should look for a gentle exfoliator scrub with tiny round granules. If your exfoliator has rough, irregular granules, you could end up causing more harm than good to your skin. And don’t forget to also exfoliate your neck and chest as well. When you are done, rinse thoroughly so you don’t leave any granules behind.
3. Splash on some toner or serum
This is a very crucial step that many people ignore. The perfect time to apply serum is just after exfoliation because pores which tend to trap germs will be clean and open. This helps your skin absorb beneficial vitamins and minerals.
How to choose the best toner or serum
Look for a toner or serum that contains vitamin C, sodium hyaluronate or beneficial herbs. Vitamin C helps soothe your skin, sodium hyaluronate seals in moisture while herbs firm and hydrate the skin.
4. Rub on a little eye cream
I bet you didn’t think this step was really important, but it is. Much like toner and serum, eye cream helps moisturise and even out the skin tone around your eye area giving you a more vibrant look. The skin around your eye is thin and fragile, so make sure to rub in just a small pinch of eye cream to avoid irritation.
5. Hydrate your skin with moisturiser
It doesn’t matter whether you have dry or oily skin, this step is non-negotiable. After applying eye cream, you should use a light moisturiser on the rest of your face to create a flawless base for makeup application. The best way to apply moisturiser is by rubbing it in very gently. This will allows it to seep into your skin thus stimulating skin cells.
How to choose the best moisturiser
First, make sure to use a moisturiser that suits your skin type. If you have acne or breakouts, look for a non-comedogenic moisturiser that is oil-free. If your skin is dry, go for a thicker cream moisturiser for a dewy spritzy look.
6. Finish off with primer
A primer is definitely one of makeup’s best-kept secret. It basically sets the stage for flawless makeup application.
How to choose the best primer
For the final step, look for a primer with silicone. This is because silicone helps fill out unwanted pitfalls, leaving your skin perfectly smooth for applying makeup. Another benefit is that primer acts as a separator preventing your moisturiser from mixing with your makeup.
Now that your face is ready for makeup, you can begin to apply foundation and any other products on your evenly smooth skin. When your face is well prepared, your makeup will be easier to apply and will allow you to get a radiant, flawless finish and you can wear it every day without any concern. Just by following the above six steps, you can achieve a magazine-worthy complexion, without using filters!
Have fun as you pamper your face. Check this out for some inspiration:
