Alright, let’s get into it!
Trust me, prepping your skin before makeup isn’t just something fancy beauty gurus say to sound pro—it’s actually a total game-changer. You can have the best foundation, concealer, and all that jazz, but if your skin isn’t happy first, your makeup isn’t gonna sit right. Think patchy, cakey, and just…no. You want that smooth, glowing base that says, “Yes, I woke up like this” (even if you crawled out of bed).
So what should you put on your face before you even touch your foundation or powders? Let’s go step by step so that your makeup’s poppin’, smooth, and stays bomb all day. Strap in, queen!
Step 1: Clean That Face, Sis 🧼✨
This one’s a MUST! If your skin ain’t clean, nothing is gonna go right after that. Like, think about it. You’ve got all those oils, leftover makeup, sweat, or whatever you’ve been up to lately just chilling on your face. Ew.
Grab your fave cleanser and give your face a good clean. You don’t want anything harsh—something gentle and hydrating is usually a good call. I’m all about cleansers with simple ingredients like Cetaphil or CeraVe for an affordable option that works wonders. But if you’re a skincare boujee babe and want to use something luxurious, then hey, go for it! Just make sure your skin is fresh AF afterward.
Girl, clean skin is *essential*. You don’t wanna cake makeup over yesterday’s grime! Keep it clean, keep it fresh.
Step 2: Don’t Sleep on Toners!
Okay, hear me out. I know toner sounds extra, but it’s 2023 and we’re here for fresh. Toners balance out your skin and some will even help with stuff like minimizing pores or giving you that glow. Plus, if your skin tends to get oily during the day, a toner can help control that shine.
Grab a cotton pad (or reusable one if you’re green and glam 🌿) and swipe the toner across your skin, especially in those oil-prone areas like your T-zone. I love the Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner. Smells bomb, works like a charm.
Step 3: Moisturize Like Your Life Depends on It 💦
Let’s be real. Dehydrated skin is NOT cute under makeup. No one wants that dry, cracked, or flaky look when they’re tryna serve looks, right?
So, moisturize! And not just any moisturizer. Pick one that matches your skin type. Oily skin babes? Go for something lightweight that’s oil-controlling, like a gel-based moisturizer (Neutrogena Hydro Boost, yasss). Dry skin sisters? You need something rich and hydrating since your thirsty skin needs to soak that stuff UP.
Don’t skip this. I’m serious. Even if you’re thinking, “Oh I have oily skin, I don’t need it,” girl, YES YOU DO. Oily skin still needs moisture or your skin will freak out and produce more oil to compensate.
Step 4: Sunscreen—’Cause, Duh 🌞
I do not care if it’s cloudy outside or you’re staying in—put on that sunscreen. UV rays are literally all around us, like that ex you can’t get rid of. (We all have one 🙄.) And trust, your future self will thank you for wearing SPF when you’re slaying the no-wrinkles-at-40 game.
Pick a daily sunscreen that won’t make you greasy or mess with your makeup. Personally, I’m obsessed with Supergoop Everyday Sunscreen or EltaMD UV Clear. These won’t clog your pores or make you shiny. If you got other faves, drop them in the comments because SPF products are evolving, and I’m always down to find new holy grails.
Sunscreen is like that bestie who always has your back. They protect you, you glow. Plus, who wants sun damage? Ew.
Step 5: Primer for That Smooth AF Base 🎯
Okay, finally we’re at primer. But first, I gotta spill some tea: primer is NOT optional if you want your makeup to stay slaying all day long. It’s like the bridge between your skincare and your makeup—it makes everything smoother, last longer, and just overall better.
If you’re all about that matte, oil-free finish, go for a mattifying primer (Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer anyone? 😍). Or if you’re more on the dry side and need a touch of hydration, I’m living for Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer. It’s got this sticky-feel that grips your makeup all day.
Another lil’ pro tip? If you’re feeling extra (and you know you are), use different primers on different parts of your face. I do a mattifying one on my oily spots (like my T-zone) and a hydrating one on my dry areas. I’m a primer mixologist, baby!
Primer is like your beauty insurance. Wanna look flawless? Then find a primer that makes your makeup stick and stay fresh, all-day long.
Step 6 (Bonus!): Eye Cream, You Deserve It! 👁👁
This is kinda like that backstage hero, and tbh, you totally deserve some undereye love. An eye cream before makeup helps keep your concealer from creasing and your eyes looking bright and awake (even if you’re running on zero sleep like me 90% of the time).
Look for an eye cream that’s light and quick-absorbing, so no sticky residue. I swear by the Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG by The Ordinary. It literally wakes your under eyes up faster than a Venti Iced Coffee from Starbucks. Hit those dark circles and puffiness with some TLC!
The Finished Pre-Makeup Routine 🔥
Let’s recap, so you truly feel like the skincare queen you are. Here’s the FIERCE order we’re working with:
- Cleanser: Say buh-bye to dirt and makeup!
- Toner: Let’s bounce those pH levels and be snatched.
- Moisturizer: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Your future selfie says thank you.
- Sunscreen: Protect that moneymaker—no UV rays allowed!
- Primer: Smoothen it out and get your canvas ready for the flawless beat.
You’re NOW officially ready to rock that makeup! You’ve got the perfect canvas for anything—whether it’s a full glam, soft glam, or that “no-makeup” makeup look we love on TikTok.
Pro Tips Because We Extra Here!
- Lip Care: Don’t leave your lips out! Get yourself a good lip scrub and balm first, especially if you want those liquid lipsticks to glide on like butter.
- Don’t Skip Your Neck and Ears: Yes, you heard me. When you’re applying all this love to your face, don’t forget your neck and ears because makeup goes there too, and you don’t wanna look two-toned by the end.
- Let Each Product Absorb: This one’s for my impatient babes 🥲. I know you wanna get that makeup on now, but girl, let each product sink into your skin before layering the next. Trust me, it makes a world of difference in how makeup layers.
And that’s a wrap babes! Now light up that ring light, make sure your camera phone’s ready for some close-ups, and let’s see those perfectly prepped and primed faces out there. Drop your skincare tips in the comments—I’m always down to learn something new too! Makeup’s all about experimenting and glowing up together.
Stay fabulous, stay glowing, stay you 💄💕
-Su
