If you want your make-up last all day without making you feel uncomfortable and clogging your pores, you need to prepare your skin for make-up. You mustn’t skip the preparations even if it means getting up 10 minutes earlier every day. Here are the essential stages of preparing your skin for applying make-up.
Why is it so important to prepare your skin for make-up? First, when the skin is prepared, your make-up will look flawless and last throughout the day. Prepping your skin for make-up application helps to avoid a cakey complexion. Second, a pre-make-up routine helps to protect your skin from comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredients contained in some make-up products.
Prepping your skin for make-up involves several simple steps. The first step is, naturally, cleansing. Beauty brands offer all sorts of facial cleansers including gels, foams, mousses, lotions, oil-based cleansers, cosmetic soaps, and more. You should choose the cleanser that is most suitable for your skin type. We recommend that you avoid products containing aggressive surfactants such as SLES (sodium laureth sulfate).
How to choose a cleanser according to your skin type? If you have oily or combination skin, check out light cleansing gels or foams that help to regulate sebum secretion and don’t strip your skin off moisture. Cleansing lotions are better suited for dry skin because they are enriched with nourishing ingredients that prevent flaky skin.
The next step of your pre-make-up routine is applying skin toner. Using a toner before applying make-up solves several important tasks. First, a toner helps to restore the natural pH level of your skin that might have been disturbed by cleansing and shrinks the appearance of pores. Second, a toner produces a refreshing, astringent, matte, moisturising and soothing effect. There are different kinds of toners. If you have dry or sensitive skin, your should avoid those that contain alcohol.
Apply the toner gently using a cotton pad. Don’t try to rub the toner into the skin or stretch your skin. Then wait for a couple of minutes until the toner absorbs and proceed to the next step, hydration. It is important to keep in mind that all types of skin need moisturising, even those that are oily by nature. You just need to find the moisturiser that is suitable for your skin type.
For example, if you have dry skin, you should try a regular day cream that combines moisturising and nourishing properties. Light, fluid creams and moisturising lotions are great for oily and combination skin. You should also choose your moisturiser depending on weather and season. Thick, heavy creams will help to protect your skin from cold and harsh wind in winter, whereas in summer you’ll need a moisturiser with SPF to protect your skin from UV rays.
The next step is prepping the thin and delicate skin around the eyes. The skin in this area needs intensive hydration. Besides, it is eye make-up that often gets messed up during the day. An eye serum, cream or gel will keep the skin around the eyes hydrated and prepare it for applying eyeshadow primer. Be very careful and gently press the cream/gel/serum into your skin instead of rubbing it.
If you’re running out of time, these steps are enough to make your make-up last. But if you have some time left, don’t rush and pay some attention to your lips. Just like the rest of your face, your lips need exfoliation. You can use a special scrub or a soft toothbrush to remove dead skin and make your lips plump and supple. Of course, there is no need to exfoliate your lips daily, once a week is usually enough. Once your lips are all smooth, apply some lip balm and let it absorb. It will help to keep your lips hydrated and prevent your lipstick or lip gloss from feathering.
Proper preparation of the skin for make-up is the key to its health and beauty. If you carefully follow all the steps and don’t skip the make-up removal routine, which is also very important, you will forget about common problems that might be caused by make-up, such as clogged pores, pimples and blackheads, irritated and flaky skin, etc. Of course, using high-quality make-up products made with natural ingredients will also help to keep your skin healthy and flawless.
