What to Put On Before Makeup?

Okay, let’s talk skincare because it’s the real MVP of every stunning makeup look. Seriously, you can have the best foundation, the most snatched contour, and the bomb lip routine, but if your skin is acting all patchy and dry underneath, guess what? The makeup is just not gonna hit the same.

So, what’s a girl (or guy!) to do?

Let me break it down for you: pre-makeup skincare matters. A lot.

It’s like the base coat for your nails. You don’t skip that if you want your nails looking flawless, so don’t ghost on your skincare before slathering on your favorite foundation either. Now, I’m about to share the tea on what to put on your face before makeup to prep it and make that beat last all day—you’re welcome. 💁‍♀️

Cleanser: Because You Gotta Start Fresh

Okay, first thing’s first—you have to cleanse your skin. LIKE. PLEASE. DO. NOT. SKIP. THIS. It’s one of the basics, but you gotta start with clean skin because life happens. Pollution, sweat, makeup from the day before (side-eye to anyone not removing makeup at night), all that needs to go.

Use a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin out. You want it to hydrate at the same time as cleaning out those pores. Something like CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser? A fan fave for sure. Or if you’re feeling fancy, Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser will leave your skin feeling like baby cheeks.

A pro tip here? Wash your face with lukewarm—not hot—water. Hot water = drying your skin out. And trust me, ain’t nobody got time for flaky foundation.

Toner: The Underrated Step Everyone Skips

I don’t know why people are sleeping on toner, but honey, you need to wake up and get in on this, okay? A good toner resets the pH balance of your skin and helps remove any leftover dirt or makeup that your cleanser didn’t. No shade to my cleanser peeps, but sometimes the little things get left behind.

Toner is like the real MVP no one talks about, but one swipe with a cotton pad and you’ll see why it matters.

If you’ve got sensitive skin, look for ones without alcohol like Thayers Witch Hazel Toner. My skin? Loves it. It’s soothing and non-drying. But if you’re feeling like splurging, Pixi’s Glow Tonic with glycolic acid is bomb for gently exfoliating skin.

Basically, toner gets your skin right for the next steps.

Serum: The Superhero of Skincare

If we’re talking skincare, serums are like IRL superheroes. They’re light and power-packed with concentrated ingredients like Vitamin C or niacinamide that target certain skin concerns. Tired-looking skin? No worries. There’s a serum for that. Blemishes? Redness? Yep, serums got your back.

Serums are like the multitasker friend we all need in our lives.

If you’re dealing with dull skin or discoloration, hit up a Vitamin C serum, something like The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension which is affordable and effective.

For hydration lovers (which should be all of us, thank you hydration gods), go for a hyaluronic acid serum. Personally, I’m obsessed with The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid; it’s light, hydrating, and makes your skin look straight up GLOWY.

Here’s your permission to add this extra step to your routine. Your skin will thank you later.

Moisturizer: Lock In All That Goodness

Moisturizer is non-negotiable. Your skin needs to stay hydrated under makeup, or you’ll run into little makeup disasters like dry patches or flaking by noon. Not cute.

Moisturizing is like the security guard who protects all the good stuff you’ve just put on your face. Seriously, don’t skimp on this step.

Make sure your moisturizer fits your skin type. If you’re oily, try something light and oil-free like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. If you’re dry, go for something rich that keeps your skin plump, like First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, which is basically a drink of water for your skin. I’ve been known to thank the skincare gods after using it—it’s that good.

The key here is to not overload on a greasy formula that’s going to have your makeup slipping off. Let it absorb for a few minutes so your skin can soak up all that moisturized goodness.

Eye Cream: Because Your Eyes Deserve Love Too

Sis, your under eyes are important, okay? Skip them and you’ll wonder why your concealer is cracking by lunch. Dehydrated under eyes are a recipe for fine lines.

Dab on a little eye cream—Olay Eyes Ultimate Eye Cream is affordable and works wonders for puffiness and dark circles—or if you’re bougie, try Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Treatment. Just remember: Less is more! You don’t want to be a greasy mess under your eyes. Tap it lightly into your skin and wait a second before moving onto concealer.

Primer: The Grand Finale

Now, here’s where the real makeup magic happens: primer. This step is non-negotiable… unless you’re cool with your foundation doing a disappearing act halfway through your day.

Primer smooths out your skin, filling in any fine lines or enlarged pores, and gives your makeup something to GRIP onto. Plus, there’s like infinite options for different skin types and needs.

If you’re oily (yeaaaahhh, we know the shine struggle), go with something that’ll mattify like Smashbox Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Primer. This stuff wears like steel armor and will keep that shine in check.

For my dry and thirsty queens? Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Primer is 100% the move. It’s sticky in the best way possible, so your makeup stays in place while being super hydrating.

Trust me, a good primer is the difference between your foundation looking meh and it looking oh-so-flawless for hours.

One little extra tip here: Press your primer into your skin more than rubbing it in. Rubbing can mess with any skincare you just applied. Pressing? It’s the real deal.

Let It All Soak In: The Chill Step

Oh yeah—before you even touch your makeup after all this? Give everything a few minutes to absorb. We get it, you’re excited and in the zone, but rushing into makeup right after skincare is like trying to jump in the pool before it’s actually open. 🏖️

Leaving just 5 minutes for everything to settle in helps avoid cakey, patchy foundation. Yes, I know patience isn’t easy, but your future self will thank you.

Honorary Skincare Mention: Sunscreen (Don’t Skip It!)

Ugh, I saved one of the most important pre-makeup steps for last because, hello, soldier of the sun! If you’re not slathering on sunscreen daily, what are you doing?! That harsh sun is aging you real quick, and trust me: Wrinkles. Are. Coming. (Sorry, they really are.)

Even if your moisturizers or foundations have a little SPF in them, it’s usually not enough. Use a separate sunscreen—Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen is a cult fave for a reason. It has an invisible finish and won’t mess with your makeup. But remember: Apply it after moisturizer and before primer.

And no, SPF isn’t just for sunny beach days. UV rays are sneaky, y’all. Even on overcast days in winter, they can still do damage, which means daily SPF is a must. No excuses.

SO. THE REAL DEAL:

Here’s a quick skincare-before-makeup checklist, simplified for those who love fast notes:

Now that you’ve got your face prepped and primed, you’re ready to slayyyyy whatever makeup look you’re about to create. Whether it’s a full glam moment or a no-makeup, makeup look—you’re set.

And honestly? Your skin owes you big time.

Remember: Glowing skin makes everything look better: your attitude, your selfies, that latte you’re about to sip on at Starbucks. Go forth and glow, my friend. Your skin is ready, and the world (well, at least your Insta feed) is not ready for the radiant bombshell that is YOU. 💁‍♀️💄