Your makeup should feel natural and not make you uncomfortable in your own skin. Proper preparation before application is key to changing your cosmetics game.
Think of it as a prelude to your foundation and other products. It primes the skin to create a fresh, clean slate to work your creams and powders into. Here are the necessary steps to prep your skin before makeup.
1. Cleanse and Exfoliate
Skin care does wonders for your complexion and should be done before your morning makeup. Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face that’s not too harsh and will keep your skin nice and clean.
After cleansing your face, use an exfoliant. It’s important to smooth out the skin texture before adding your base to ensure it goes on smoothly. You can use a chemical or physical scrub. Remember to do this only two to three times a week.
2. Cool Your Face
Facial icing is a popular trend that involves rubbing ice cubes onto the skin. Some people rest their faces in a bowl of icy water to accomplish this. Cold temperatures can lessen blood flow in an area to reduce redness and swelling.
The cooling effect is temporary, and there is little scientific evidence to support skin icing. The technique may also trap facial oils in the pores and hinder the absorption of other products. However, it’s still worth testing now and then if you’re dealing with puffiness or pimples. You could also apply a cooling sheet mask or cold compress instead.
3. Moisturise Well
No matter the weather or skin type, moisturiser should be a part of your face prep routine. It can help hydrate your skin and ensure it’s plumped up. A moisturiser also provides a barrier between your face and makeup products.
Creamy moisturisers are good for people in colder climates or those dealing with dry skin since they’re rich in emollients that soften the surface. Those with oily skin could use a more lightweight product like gel or serum.
4. Pay Attention to Your Lips
Skin prep should always include the lips when applying makeup. Lipsticks, especially matte ones, tend to dry and accentuate lip lines. Exfoliate with a lip scrub to remove dead skin gently and wipe the residue off carefully with a damp washcloth.
Use a balm or mask to further smooth the lips, working it in with your fingertip. You can also use lip oil afterwards to add an extra layer of shine and hydration.
5. Add Your Sunscreen
Add a layer of sunscreen before cosmetics to add a line of defence against the sun. Use a high SPF and seek formulas with a moisturising effect to further prep the face. Let the product sit for around 20 minutes to sink into your skin.
As a side note, it’s essential to apply sunscreen after makeup to protect the skin further. Powder and spray-on formulas are available for easy-to-apply sun protection.
6. Try Using Gua Sha
Gua sha is a popular Asian technique where you scrape the skin with a stone. The pressure is meant to help with swelling and pain in the body, but it’s also ideal for the face. You can use a little face oil to help the stone glide.
Use the double notch on your eyebrows and jawline while using the longer edge for the cheeks and forehead. It’s recommended to skip gua sha if you’ve had fillers within the past month or are dealing with skin problems.
7. Pick a Primer
End your skin prep with an excellent makeup primer. There are many formulas, but the main goal is to create an ideal base for your foundation and other cosmetic products. For example, matte primers are suitable for people with oily skin because they keep shine at bay.
Hydrating primers act like a second moisturiser by keeping your skin supple. You can also find illuminating products to add a glow or colour-correcting ones that clear up the gray or redness in your complexion. Gripping primers are also popular for helping makeup last all day.
Bonus: Take Your Time
Some people like to finish up prep as soon as possible, especially when they’re in a morning rush. However, the key to this stage is to take your time. Let your skin absorb each product before moving on to the next. Going slow also means avoiding overwhelming the skin with too many products and lets you simply enjoy the process.
Get Flawless Skin Before Foundation
Skin will always look like skin, even with makeup on top of it. However, proper preparation before foundation helps you achieve that filter-like smoothness and glow. Follow these steps to achieve a flawless base.
