How To Prep Your Skin For Flawless Makeup

Step 1: Cleanse

When it comes to skin prep, cleansing your face is essential. Cleansing your skin removes excess oils, dirt, and other impurities, leaving you with fresh, supple skin that aids in the application of makeup. Apply cleanser to your fingertips and rub in circular motions onto a wet or damp face. Rinse with lukewarm water and gently pat dry.

Step 2: Exfoliate

Your skin’s cells don’t last forever. Cells have a tendency to accumulate and clog pores when they die. Your skin may look rough or dull due to this buildup of dead skin cells. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells and impurities and unclogs pores. Exfoliating ensures smoother, brighter, and softer skin, thus improving the overall appearance of one’s skin.

However, if you have sensitive skin, it is important to be gentle on the skin, meaning that you should avoid being too rough and using physical exfoliants. Physical exfoliants contain grainy substances such as sugar or salt, which can be too harsh on sensitive skin. The alternative option is to use a mild chemical exfoliant. Chemical exfoliants contain AHAs and BHAs, also known as alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids. It is always advised to do a patch test before using any product and discontinue if you have a bad reaction.

Step 3: Toners and Serums

For the ladies that have dry skin, this is a step that is beneficial for a makeup base that looks hydrated, plump, and glowy. Furthermore, toner adds moisture back into the skin after cleansing and exfoliating, acting as a calming agent. It also prepares the skin for moisturiser. Apply directly to the face and neck and pat in with your hands, or alternatively, apply using a cotton pad.

Immediately after applying toner, while your face is still damp, apply a hydrating serum. Serums are lightweight skincare products that contain active ingredients that get absorbed and benefit your skin. Additionally, it prepares your skin to better absorb the properties of your moisturiser.

Step 4: Primer For a Long-Lasting Makeup

The previous steps are all critical components of maintaining healthy, youthful-looking skin. But when it comes to creating a makeup look that can last throughout the day, adding primer to your routine is an absolute must. Primer works by creating a smooth canvas for your foundation, blush, bronzer, and other make-up products. There are many different formulas when it comes to primers, so picking the one that best fits your skin type is key. That way, you’d be able to fully enjoy the benefits of it.

The primer you choose is also dependent on the makeup look that you prefer. Whether you prefer a matte or dewy look, you have to choose a primer that will help you get the look that you want. For those who struggle with oily skin, a mattifying primer can be the perfect solution for keeping your complexion looking fresh and healthy without becoming greasy or shiny all throughout the day. For those with dry skin, a hydrating primer is essential in order to ensure a healthy and long-lasting finish.

Step 5: Prepping the lips

Let’s not forget another very important step. That is, prepping your lips for a smooth lipstick application. When your lips are dry, the product may appear rough or scaly. A good routine would include gently exfoliating with a lip scrub. Rinse and apply your favourite hydrating lip product. You could also use a lip primer that will smooth out the surface and allow your lipstick to stay on longer. A personal favourite of ours for supple, soft lips is the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask.

Step 6: Setting your makeup!

You’ve followed all the steps and applied your gorgeous make-up look, but now you have to lock everything in to ensure that everything stays in place all day. When it comes to setting your makeup, you can either use a powder or a setting spray. Using a setting powder can be a great way to keep your foundation in place and prevent it from wearing off throughout the day. Not only does it help hold your makeup, but it also helps reduce the often-sticky feeling or shine that foundation can have after application. Additionally, setting powder is perfect for absorbing any excess oil that may appear on the skin.

A setting spray is a product used to keep makeup in place and prevent it from smudging, creasing, or transferring onto others. It works similar to hairspray by locking your makeup in for long periods of time so that you don’t have to worry about it fading away or moving around.