How to Properly Prep Your Skin Before Applying Makeup
To achieve flawless makeup application, remember to prep your skin correctly with cleansing, toning, and moisturizing.
Prep Your Skin: Tips for Ideal Hydration
Contrary to popular belief, achieving flawless looking makeup isn’t only about the concealer, eye shadows, and mascaras you use, it’s also about how you prep your skin beforehand. Figuring out the right skincare products and incorporating them into your skincare routine in the correct order is crucial for your makeup look, something makeup artists emphasize. Properly prepping your skin helps to ensure even application of beauty products and maintain the overall health of your complexion.
What does "prep your skin" mean?
"Prep your skin" is a transformative ritual. It sets the stage for achieving a luminous, healthy complexion that enhances any makeup application.
This essential process is more than just a routine—it's an investment in your skin's health and beauty. By prioritizing cleansing, toning, treating, and moisturizing, you imbue your skin with the vitality it needs to glow from within. These steps create a flawless canvas, allowing makeup products to glide smoothly and adhere longer, unleashing your most radiant self.
Correct skincare preparation significantly influences makeup performance. It diminishes imperfections, offering a polished look.
Not only does this enhance aesthetic appeal—by addressing individual skin needs such as hydration or pore-minimization, you assure your skin remains in optimal condition—thus transforming each beauty regime into a moment of self-care.
Embrace these enriching practices for glowing skin, and relish the newfound confidence as each nuance enhances your natural allure. These expert-recommended steps are poised to be a cornerstone of your self-care journey, presenting you with a world where skincare is artistry, inspiring you every day.
So, instead of reaching for your foundation right away, consider following these six easy steps to properly prep your skin before applying any makeup.
Step 1: Start with clean skin
Before you do anything, you’ll first need to remove your makeup and cleanse your skin. For your skin to be free of blemishes and dead skin, it needs to be clean of any grime and oils. However, you must choose a cleanser that isn’t too harsh on your skin. If you don’t it’ll end up stripping it of its natural oils, causing it to become dry and/or inflamed. For this reason, it’s best to opt for a cleanser that comes in the form of a cream, gel, or oil as these tend to be more gentle on the skin. This will reduce the chances of skin irritation but still adequately cleanse it. When you’re finished, gently pat your skin dry with a towel.
“Prepping your pout can make for a smooth canvas before putting on your favorite bold colors.”
~ Jessica Mae
Step 2: Tone it up
Next, you’ll want to apply a balancing toner as a final step to your cleansing process. This will allow you to remove any additional impurities and dead skin cells that your cleanser may have missed. Along with this, toners also serve as a base for the rest of your skincare products. Whether you apply your toner by spritzing it on your face, or by saturating a cotton pad and wiping it onto your skin, is completely up to you. Although either method is okay, most dermatologists will recommend using a cotton pad because it’s more effective in getting rid of any cleanser residue and diluted water chemicals that occurred from step one.
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Step 3: Treat with care
After you cleanse and tone your skin, it's best to incorporate any skincare treatments and SPF into your skincare routine at this time. When your skin is free of oil, dirt, and other pore-clogging buildup, treatment products like an anti-aging cream or acne spot patches, for instance, have a better chance to penetrate the skin. Keep in mind that the type of products you use will be dependent on both your skin type and needs. For some people, preventing fine lines and wrinkles may be their biggest skincare concern, whereas other people may be more concerned with fighting off their unwanted blemishes. Whatever your focus is, remember to be selective when choosing your treatment as these products are designed to be rich with highly concentrated ingredients so that you can attain optimal results quickly.
Step 4: Boost skin hydration
Natural makeup looks for women in business by makeup artists at WarPaint International.
Regardless of the skin type you have, moisturizing is a must. In addition to enhancing your natural glow, using a daily moisturizer can promote an even application of foundation or concealer and help your makeup stay on longer. There are a variety of ways you can add moisture to your complexion. Between face serums, oils, and moisturizers, it’s easy to boost skin hydration. While all of these skincare products can pair well with each other, you should still be mindful of your skin type before deciding which of these products you’d like to incorporate in your skin regimen. Those of you with dry skin, for example, may benefit most from using a hyaluronic acid serum first, followed by a moisturizer with a heavy-cream based formula. Depending on how flakey your skin is, you may also want to apply one or two drops of face oil to lock in the moisture. For those of you with oily skin, on the other hand, you’ll want to avoid pairing these types of products together as they may cause excess shine and clogged pores. Instead, stick with using an oil-free moisturizer so you can condition and hydrate your skin without leaving it feeling greasy.
Step 5: Prep your pout
As you wait for your skin to absorb the added moisture, it’s time to move onto your lips. For all you lipstick lovers out there, this is an especially important step for you to follow. Prepping your pout can make for a smooth canvas before putting on your favorite bold colors. To achieve this, try using a lip scrub! Lip scrubs are an efficient way to exfoliate the dead skin cell buildup on the surface of your lips, making for desirable soft lips. All you have to do is apply a little bit of the scrub onto your lips and massage in a circular motion and leave on for two to three minutes. Despite the fact that you can purchase a lip scrub from many makeup brands, you can also try creating your own using a few common household ingredients, such as raw honey and brown sugar. To learn about different DIY lip scrub recipes, check out this link!
Step 6: Prime your base
Now that you’ve cleansed, toned, treated, and hydrated your skin, you’re ready to prime your base. Primer is the last and arguably one of the most essential steps to prepping your skin before applying your makeup. This product serves to support a polished, long-lasting make-up look because it’s designed to smooth fine lines, wrinkles, and large pores. Primers can come in the form of mists, gels, or powders, so make sure you pick one that aligns with your skin type and suits the overall look you’re going for. For a seamless finish, apply a small amount of primer to your fingers and massage onto face. For liquid primers, wait a couple of minutes to ensure your skin is dry before you start putting on other makeup products. Or, if you’re using a powder-based primer, you’ll want to begin by tipping a small amount of powder into the lid of its jar first. Then, grab a makeup brush and tap off any excess powder and apply it to your face in a circular motion.
For great tips and advice on how to prep your skin, check out Skincare Routine 101 For Every Skin Type by Natural Acne Clinic.
Professional Makeup Assistance with WarPaint International
For those special events where you want to look your absolute best, consider booking a professional makeup artist from WarPaint International, a renowned beauty agency in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago, and Jacksonville, offering on-site makeup services. Their experts can assist with both your skin prep and makeup application, ensuring a flawless look tailored to your unique style and event needs. Whether it's a wedding, gala, or any important occasion, WarPaint International's artists bring their expertise and creativity to enhance your natural beauty, leaving you confident and radiant.
For brides-to-be, a wedding makeup artist can make all the difference in ensuring a picture-perfect look on your special day. These professionals are skilled not only in choosing the right shades and products that match your personal style but also in understanding the best techniques to make your makeup last through the tears, kisses, and celebratory dances. If you’re looking for that flawless finish and a stress-free experience, hiring a wedding makeup artist could be the key to shining brightly on your wedding day.
Book a Private Makeup Lesson
Elevate your beauty routine by booking a private makeup lesson with WPI Beauty Agency Artisans. This personalized session offers an exclusive opportunity to learn expert skin prep techniques and discover a new makeup look tailored to your unique features and style. Under the guidance of skilled artisans, you'll gain insights into selecting the right products for your skin type, mastering application techniques, and achieving a flawless finish. Whether you're preparing for a special event or simply seeking to enhance your everyday routine, this lesson empowers you with the knowledge and confidence to create stunning looks that reflect your individuality.
Behind Every Amazing Makeup Application Is Great Skin Care
Ladies, I am here to tell you that if you do not take good care of your skin your makeup will not look good either. Think of your skin like the foundation of your home. If the foundation is solid, then a beautiful home can be built on it.
Skin Care, AHHH!
As a child growing up, we're told "Wash your face!", "Put sunscreen on!" from our parents. A task that as kids, we most likely had a sassy comment back or at least rolled our eyes. Now, through years of experience and self-education, I've learned how important a good skincare regimen is. I'd put myself in the skincare enthusiast category.
Enter Adulthood... I've been working as a professional makeup artist for 10 years, you could say that I've seen it all {or almost all}. With that in mind, what shocks me the most is when I ask a client about their skincare and they tell me "Oh I just use bar soap." or "Does splashing water on my face before bed count?" or the worst of them all "I don't wash my makeup off ever.". (<--- if this is you stop it right now! For every day you don't wash you makeup off your skin will age by 7 days!!)
Before and after shots above: Experts said Anna's skin aged by ten years as a result of not removing her make-up for an entire month. Original Article from DailyMail.co.UK. Read More.
Why Don't You Wash Your Face?
I hear these comments more often than not these days. It's left me asking...WHY? I don't think it's due to lack of resources or education. There are more skincare products out in the market than we can count. I also don't think it's due to the lack of being able to find products that are affordable. I do, however, believe that two things are happening:
- We are relying too much on the facade that makeup will make everything perfect. I know this because I've had women say to me "Why would I waste money on skincare when makeup can make me look perfect?".
- Social media has given a false sense of reality. This is not a new epiphany. We know that social media often is "smoke and mirrors" especially when it comes to images of beauty. With tons of filter & editing options, we're able to hide any flaw on our face in an image, and in an instant.
LADIES..., I am here to tell you that if you do not take good care of your skin your makeup will not look good either. Sure, you might not see the effects right away, but over time this will absolutely be the case. Think of your skin like the foundation of your home. If the foundation is solid, then a beautiful home can be built on it. If your skin is well taken care of, a beautiful makeup application can be applied and you'll look amazing! It's that simple. Now, I know that skincare products can be costly but they don't have to be. I also know that mother nature has a funny way of intervening and sometimes it's a challenge to get our skin to cooperate. What I'm talking about here is simply the need for us to take better care of our skin and ourselves. Here are a few tips for an easy, effective and affordable skincare routine.
STEP 1
Cleanse both morning and night. I really like the Gentle Daily Cleanser from Arbonne. For $28 it's a high-quality product that won't break the bank. For those that are acne-prone, I'd recommend Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Wash ($5). Start off by using it once a day (and your other cleanser for the second wash) then increase to twice a day, but if you get dry or flakey back it down to just once a day. Make sure you are getting all of your makeup off - especially mascara. Use an eye makeup remover to ensure it's gone for the day.
STEP 2
Exfoliate 2 to 3 times per week. Exfoliating can help improve your skin's overall tone & texture as it removes dead skin cells. This also allows your skincare products to penetrate deeper into the skin. If you like to use a granular exfoliant, make sure that you are really gentle and don't rub your skin harshly. Using gentle circular motions - polish your skin.
STEP 3
Moisturize Day and Night. This is a crucial step. Properly moisturizing your skin will help with anti-aging and also help your makeup application go on smoothly and last throughout the day. My two favorites moisturizing products right now are Ultra Sheer from Skin Medica ($58) and Water Balm from Sonia Roselli ($48). Both are a little spendier but so worth it. Water Balm is a multi-use product as well, so there's lots of bang for your buck! Don't forget a good night cream. I like No 7's Beautiful Skin Night Cream ($15).
STEP 4
SPF! The sun is one of the leading causes of aging and not to mention the risk of skin cancer. Apply after your serum / moisturizer / eye cream. I really like Skin Medica's Tinted SPF ($68), I use that one as a foundation replacement in the summer. Neutrogena's Age Shield Face Lotion ($13) is also a great affordable option.
STEP 5
Go to see an esthetician. Regular facials can make a huge difference. An esthetician will treat your skin based on its needs. This is especially helpful for those pesky blackheads. He or she will do extractions to clean out the pores and leave your skin soft & supple. A good facial will run you around $80, but look for deals on places like Groupon if you're sticking to a budget.
BONUS: To REALLY make a difference in your skin (do all of the above of course) invest in a Clarisonic. Seriously. They are a bit expensive, but so worth it. I've had mine for 2 years now and I can't speak highly enough about how it has changed my skin. I now have the confidence to go sans-makeup and still feel beautiful. I attribute a lot that to using my Clarisonic every day along with great skincare products. Save your pennies and get one. You won't regret it!
Me, no makeup - no filter!
Those are the basics. Start with those 5 steps and your skin will thank you, as well as your makeup artist. If you come to a makeup appointment with skin that hasn't been cleaned in a week, your makeup will not be all that it can be and you can't blame your artist if the makeup lacks the level of perfection you were expecting - there's only so much we can do. Take the extra few minutes a day and invest in your skin, invest in YOU!
Lastly, none of the above really matters unless you are well-rested and in good health. Starting with good sleeping habits can not only change your life but accelerate great skin care (among many other things). To learn more, read this article about: