Many people believe that the secret to long-lasting makeup lies in the makeup products they use. But what if we told you there's so much more?
That's right, forget about your best foundation, because this time it's all about taking care of your skin. No, we're not just talking about putting on your favorite moisturizer and hoping for the best, we're talking about customizing your skincare routine and prepping your skin so your makeup lasts all day.
As a beauty writer, I spend most of my day talking to makeup artists and they all say the same thing. Indeed, this is the secret to shining from within.
So what does the art of skin preparation have to do with it? Well, that's where the experts come into play. We spoke to NARS National Senior Makeup Artist Rebecca Moore and London Skinfluencer Senior Cosmetician Rida Syed about prepping your skin before applying makeup, and it's a lot easier than you might think.
Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about the art of skin prep…
Is it important to prepare the skin before applying makeup?
The short answer? Very. “Preparing the skin is the most important step in applying makeup. Everything you do in this step will determine how your makeup looks, feels, and feels throughout the day. This is a good time to address any skin concerns, such as dryness or excess oil,” says Moore.
"It also helps smooth skin and tighten pores," adds Syed. "Overall, your makeup will look better and last longer."
So let's start preparing.
What ingredients should be used to prepare the skin for makeup?
"I would recommend looking for products with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C," says Syed. “Moisturized skin is radiant skin, great for makeup. This is why hyaluronic acid is your skin's best friend. It's a great moisturizer that locks in moisture."
© Provided by Marie Claire UK This MAC serum contains a blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramide, and Japanese peony extract to hydrate and brighten skin. The great thing about it is that it acts as a primer, making it the perfect way to prep skin before makeup.
“Incorporate vitamin C into your skincare regimen for that extra glow, but be careful about the type of vitamin C you use. As a general rule, oily skin types cannot tolerate high percentages."
Lastly, don't forget to apply a primer underneath. Syed recommends using one that contains silicone. "A foundation with silicone usually gives a smooth finish to the skin." So if you want your foundation to glide on your skin, Syed suggests using something like Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Primer.
© Provided by Marie Claire UK Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Instant Soft Focus Beauty Flash Foundation
This soft-focus, radiant foundation creates a subtle makeup canvas for a beautiful, radiant finish.
© Provided by Marie Claire UK Nars Smooth & Protect Primer SPF50
We also love this smooth foundation from Nars. Helps reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines and protects skin from UVA/UVB rays and pollution.
What foods should be avoided when working with leather?
“The most important thing to remember when caring for your skin is to make sure you don't use products that are too rich for the makeup you wear. it won't feel good on the skin,” says Moore, so be sure to choose a lighter product that absorbs into the skin and sits well under cream.
"Another thing to remember is to use skincare products that suit your skin type," adds Moore. "This will help the makeup set better and last longer throughout the day." So if you have dry skin, you can opt for more moisturizer, while those with oily skin can choose matte moisturizers and foundations that prevent shine and make your makeup last longer. As Moore says, "improper skin care can lead to excess oil or excessive dryness."
How to prepare skin for makeup
Now that we've established the importance of skin prep, how do you go about it? “Using skincare products like serums and moisturizers is great for prepping your skin. Use a generous amount of product and rub it into your skin. Treat it like a mini facial. It will leave you with a thick, damp canvas,” says Moore.
Leaving the skin prep mistakes in the past, we asked Syed how to prep the skin step by step.
Step 1:
“The first thing you need to do is make sure your skin is nice and smooth, so try exfoliating after cleansing. Don't use harsh exfoliators that will clog or dry out your skin. choice".
© Provided by Marie Claire UK ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Brightening Cream
ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Scrub contains magnesium crystals to exfoliate dead skin cells for clean, smooth and even skin.
Step 2
Syed then said to make sure the skin is moisturised. "This is easy to achieve with hyaluronic acid, and I love iS Clinical's Hydracool serum."
© Provided by Marie Claire UK iS Clinical Hydrocool Serum
This serum contains botanical hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 and brightening mushroom extract to rejuvenate and hydrate skin.
Step 3:
An unnecessary (but feels good) extra step is using cryo sheets to actually absorb the hyaluronic acid into the skin. Not only is it incredibly refreshing and brightens the skin, but it also helps reduce puffiness in the morning.
© Provided by Marie Claire UK Oxygen Boutique Cryo Facial Device
This cryofacial from Oxygen Boutique is the perfect addition to your morning skincare routine.
Step 4:
The fourth step is vitamin C. “This will give your face a glow, but the vitamin C you choose should suit your skin type. I use iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum,” added Ride.
© Provided by Marie Claire UK iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance
iS Clinical Vitamin C Serum contains olive leaf extract and pure vitamins A and E to provide antioxidant protection to the skin.
Step 5:
Finally, apply a moisturizer that not only helps moisturize the skin, but also restores the skin's barrier function, and finally, don't forget about the SPF.