Setting up your skin before applying makeup is just as important as setting your makeup once you’ve applied it. This is the groundwork that sets up the foundation (no pun intended), and can mean the difference between makeup staying in place all day, and cakey or patchy skin. Think about it, if you have flaky skin, no amount of moisturizer is going to prevent foundation from separating or getting cakey, and a setting spray isn’t going to prevent your lip gloss from feathering. What you want is skin that’s hydrated and balanced, so every product can do its job without trying to fight through dry skin or oiliness.
You begin by acknowledging the state of your skin that day. If it’s drier, you may use something to give it more moisture. If it’s oilier, you might use something to help keep shine at bay. Then you cleanse your face, possibly using the trendy double-cleanse method to remove makeup and dirt without harming your skin. After, you use a toner that balances the pH of your skin and helps your face accept the products that will come later. Finally, you use a serum, which can help with radiance, elasticity, or sallowness. You might use a hyaluronic acid serum that brings water to the surface of the skin to give it that full, dewy look under your makeup.
The type of moisturiser used will affect the longevity of your make-up. If your skin is very dry, you will get a better finish if you use a cream and it will stop your make-up from sticking to your skin. If your skin is oily or combination, it’s best to use a gel-cream or a lotion. When applying moisturiser, massage it into your skin in an upwards direction to increase blood flow and help penetration. Leave it to sink in for a few minutes before applying a primer – this will mean that the moisturiser doesn’t cause your make-up to pill and is instead trapped underneath.
Primer is the mediator between your skincare and color products. It can help minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines, or give you a luminous glow, depending on the type you choose. Silicone-based primers will provide a glass-like canvas for your foundation, whereas water-based primers will be your go-to if you prefer something lighter. When used in moderation and applied only where you need it (on the areas that tend to get textured or oily), primer won’t leave your face looking cakey. When it’s applied correctly, your skin should feel baby-soft, slightly sticky, and totally primed for foundation (no pun intended).
Last but not least, good skin preparation pays off in the final result. The make-up looks more vivid, the colors less distorted, the general impression less caked on. You have a lot more leeway for dramatic make-up or for going almost bare if your skin is clear and well cared for. With every application, regular skin care enables you to wear your make-up like a second skin, not a disguise.