How To Prep Skin For Makeup Application

Before you apply your makeup, it's essential to lay the groundwork for a flawless base. Properly prepping the skin ensures smooth and seamless makeup application, enhancing the longevity of your makeup and promoting a radiant complexion. Even with the most comprehensive makeup routine, without a healthy skincare foundation underneath, it is very difficult to create a flawless appearance. Learn all you need to know about the importance of skincare before makeup and follow our step-by-step guide on how to prep skin for makeup.

Why should you use skincare before makeup?

Before diving into the specifics of skin preparation, let's take a moment to understand why applying skincare before makeup is crucial. Skincare is a foundation for your makeup, providing a hydrated and nourished base for smoother application. By incorporating skincare into your makeup routine, you can prolong the wear of your makeup, prevent it from settling into fine lines and creases, and achieve a radiant and healthy-looking complexion. Healthy skin tends to respond better to products, reducing the appearance of cakiness or flaking.

How to prep skin for makeup application:

Step 1: Cleansing

The first step in skin prep for makeup is cleansing, removing dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin's surface, allowing skincare products to penetrate more effectively. Choose a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type, whether it's dry, oily, combination, or sensitive. For dry skin, opt for a hydrating cleanser that replenishes moisture without stripping the skin, like the Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée with 15 Amino Acids. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, look for a foaming or gel cleanser that helps control excess oil and prevents breakouts, like the Re-Nutriv Hydrating Foam Cleanser. Consider double cleansing for a deeper clean, starting with an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining impurities.

Step 2: Toning

Another important step in applying skincare before makeup is toning. After cleansing, it's essential to rebalance the skin's pH levels and prepare it for the next steps in your skincare routine. Toning helps remove any residue from cleansing while hydrating and refreshing the skin. Choose a toner suited to your skin's needs, whether it's a hydrating toner infused with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or a gentle exfoliating toner containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to refine the skin's texture and promote cell turnover. The Micro Essence Treatment Lotion Fresh with Sakura Ferment is perfect to help fortify and soothe the skin to provide an even, luminous complexion.

Step 3: Applying serum

Using a serum before makeup can transform the texture of your skin. Serums are concentrated formulations packed with active ingredients that target specific skin concerns, such as hydration, brightening, or anti-ageing. Apply a serum after toning to deliver potent ingredients deep into the skin for maximum efficacy. Consider using Estee Lauder's iconic Advanced Night Repair Serum, formulated with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to hydrate, repair, and protect the skin, leaving it smooth, plump, and radiant.

Step 4: Moisturising

Moisturising is essential for all skin types, even if you have oily or acne-prone skin. Using a moisturiser before makeup application will ensure a hydrated complexion that makeup can sit comfortably on top of. A lightweight moisturiser helps lock in moisture, create a smooth base for makeup application, and prevent dryness throughout the day. Choose a moisturiser suited to your skin type and concerns, whether it's a rich cream for dry skin, a gel moisturiser for oily skin, or a lightweight lotion for combination skin. Estee Lauder offers a range of moisturisers tailored to different skin types, including the Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Creme Moisturizer for mature skin and the DayWear Matte Oil-Control Anti-Oxidant Moisture Gel Creme for oily or combination skin. Discover the best moisturiser for your skin type. 

Step 5: Priming

Priming is the final step in skincare before makeup application. A primer creates a smooth and even base for makeup, blurs imperfections, and extends the wear of your makeup throughout the day. Choose a primer suited to your skin type and desired makeup finish, whether it's a hydrating primer for a dewy glow, a mattifying primer for a shine-free complexion, or a pore-minimising primer. Estee Lauder offers a range of primers to suit different needs, including the Futurist Aqua Brilliance™ Watery Glow Primer for a radiant finish as opposed to the DoubleWear Smooth and Blur Primer for a velvety matte finish. For those who want a makeup-ready glow, try the Futurist Peptide-Power Serum Primer for a flawless complexion.

Incorporating skincare before makeup is essential for achieving a flawless and long-lasting makeup look. By following these steps and choosing products suited to your skin type and concerns, you can create a smooth and radiant canvas for makeup application. Remember to tailor your skincare routine to your needs and experiment with different products to find what works best for you. With the proper skincare prep, you can enhance the beauty of your makeup and reveal your skin's natural glow.