Have you ever applied a full face of makeup (and perfectly-so) only to find that it just doesn’t sit right? It’s likely because your skin wasn’t prepared properly, leaving texture, dryness, and uneven oily patches. The solutions are simple and only take a few extra moments. Here’s how to prep your skin for the best makeup application.
Exfoliate…gently
Rough, dry patches just love to cling to your foundation and increase the appearance of texture. Hey, we’re all human and some texture is expected! However, you can mitigate the issue by gently exfoliating the skin to give an overall smoother, more even texture.
You don’t necessarily need a fancy exfoliator to do this, so don’t panic if you are on a budget. An easy way to exfoliate before applying makeup is to use a face cloth and your usual cleanser. Gently rub the cloth over your skin in small circular motions, concentrating on particularly rough areas.
If you are finding roughness and texture to be an ongoing issue, a toner or exfoliator containing AHA’s and/or BHA’s is worth looking into!
Be strategic with hydration
Moisturizer is a crucial step for any skin type. However, this doesn’t mean you need to slather your entire face with a rich cream (unless you are very, very dry).
If you have combination skin that gets “oily here, dry there” you can and should apply products accordingly.
For example, if your forehead gets super oily, just use a light gel-based moisturizer there. If your cheeks get really dry, use a more emollient, richer product there.
It may sound fiddly and time consuming, but it’s really not. Plus, having two different types of moisturiser is handy when the seasons change or hormones wreak havoc, adjusting our skin type.
Don’t forget to prep the eyes
The skin around the eyes is delicate and prone to dryness, lines, wrinkles, and even rough patches for those of us with sensitive skin. When we add concealer, foundation, powder, and eyeshadow to the area, things can get a little iffy.
Avoid dryness and unnecessary lines by plumping and hydrating the eye area pre-makeup. Take a rich eye cream or simply an emollient moisturiser and pat (never pull!) it onto the skin under and around the eyes. Leave the product on the skin for 10 minutes before patting away any excess oil with a tissue.
Exfoliate and hydrate the lips
If you’re planning on using a liquid or matte lipstick, lip prep is unmissable. Even if you’re using a balm or hydrating product, you can maximise the juicy effect by ensuring your lips are in prime condition.
Before you start your skincare and makeup process, scrub the lips with a scrub like the Hey Sugar Lip Scrub to remove any dead skin. This step also gets the blood flowing to the lips for a pouty, plumped effect. Now, add a thick layer of hydrating balm and let it sink in while you do the rest of your makeup. When it’s time to apply your lip color, blot away the excess balm but leave a little as a hydrating shield.
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