How to Prep Your Skin for Makeup Application

December 27, 2022

If you’ve ever had your makeup done by a professional, you know that your skin looks stunning when it’s finished. How do professionals do it? Flawless makeup application starts with how you prep your skin. Do you know how to prep your skin for makeup? 

In this article, we outline skin makeup prep, step by step, so that you can prep your skin the same way professionals do.

Step One: Wash and gently exfoliate your face

Before you do anything else, clean your face. Long-lasting makeup depends on a clean canvas. If your face isn’t clean, oil, excess buildup, and debris are left behind and this will mix with your makeup. This dilutes the quality of your foundation and diminishes your makeup over time. Your skin will also be more oily, causing your makeup to break down more quickly.

Start your makeup prep with a high-quality cleanser and an exfoliant to ensure your skin is ready for makeup application.

Step Two: Tame under-eye bags and dark circles

Caffeine helps lessen dark circles and bags under your eyes. While applying warm tea bags or a cold compress for several minutes is often recommended, you may not have the time to do that. Our essential eye cream, which contains caffeine, comes to the rescue immediately upon application. It is very effective in helping to diminish fine lines and wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness, and bags under your eyes. Apply by lightly tapping your skin. 

Step Three: Tone your skin

This step is often skipped, but it’s an important step. Toners help balance pH levels, combat oiliness, and remove dirt and buildup. We have a variety of products to choose from, depending on your skin type. 

Step Four: Apply a moisturizer, and gently massage into the skin

Moisturizing your skin is very important, especially after toning. It will keep your skin from drying out. Try our Botanical Oil #1 for a soft, supple feeling. 

Ensure that you let serums/oils/creams fully absorb into your skin—at least one minute—before you apply makeup. Fully-absorbed moisturizer provides a smoother surface for makeup application.

Step Five: Apply a primer

A makeup professional will apply primer to your skin before they apply makeup. Primers add a protective layer between your skin and the makeup. It also creates a tacky layer for the foundation to adhere to. The foundation will bind to the primer and really sink into your skin. Try our matte shine control powder as a primer and to help control oiliness.  

Step Six: Apply foundation and concealer 

Now that your skin is prepped, apply your favorite foundation and concealer. Apply as little or as much as you want, depending on the finish you are aiming for. If your skin is oily, choose a foundation that helps with oil control; if your skin is dry, choose a foundation with oil in the formula, so that your skin has a nice, natural glow. 

Select the right application tool, as well. The foundation packaging or online product description often tells you which type of brush or application tool you should use for perfect application. Fan favorites are a blending sponge or kabuki brush, but you can read all about makeup brushes here.

Step Seven: Finish with a setting mist

The last step in makeup prep is using a setting spray or mist. This step is crucial and will keep your makeup in place all day long. Setting sprays act both as a sealant and a protective barrier. They seal the makeup and protect your skin from any debris that you may come into contact with. Our hibiscus-rose hydration mist will not only set your makeup, but nourish and add an extra glow to your skin. 

Makeup skin prep is easy when you follow these steps to perfect your makeup routine. Prepping your skin for makeup is important for both flawless makeup application and healthy skin maintenance. 

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