skin prep 101: the first step to flawless makeup
I would argue that skin-prep is the VIP of makeup. Seriously! If your skin prep is lacking, your makeup will lack. In my eyes, there is no point in wasting your time putting together a perfect makeup look when it will crumble and crack off your face from lack of moisture. Or if it will slide off due to sweating and oiliness!
Don't fear
I'm here to save the day! In today's blog post we are going to explore everything there is to know about skin prep, why it is so important for your makeup routine and why you'll thank me later! You want your skin to look like the beautiful model Cici over here?! Then keep on reading, girl!
Dry Skin?
I suffered from dry skin at one point in my life so I can speak from experience when saying, I know it's rough! When you are not properly taking care of your dry skin it can leave you with flakes, uneven skin tone and patchiness.
Cleanser-Cleansing the skin should be the first step to any great makeup application. Leaving grime and natural oils on your face will create for an uneven base to start with. You might as well not even apply makeup! For Dry Skin I recommend a hydrating cleanser like the Mario Bedascu Enzyme Cleansing Gel. This cleanser is lightweight and non-drying, leaving your skin with a plumped and refreshed feeling!
Exfoliator-Exfoliation is key to getting rid of dead skin cells and allowing for new growth! When you remove the excess dead skin sitting on top you will immediately reveal a brighter, more even layer. This is especially important for us babes with dry skin because we tend to get a build up. Exfoliation is not something that you should do daily, I recommend 1-3 times per week depending on your skin sensitivity levels. If you have a big event coming up and you have sensitive skin, I recommend exfoliating 1-2 days before your event. You will still see the brightening effects but won't risk any irritation for the big event! I use and love Sonia Roselli Beauty Sexapeel Instant Exfoliation Spray. You can spray this right onto your face or hands and rub in circular motions all over your face and you will physically see the dead skin coming off in your hands! GROSS, I know but you will appreciate it after!
Toner- Some people swear by toner, other people don't reach for it ever! This is seriously going to be a personal preference here but I don't typically recommend toner's to my dry skin clients. The reason is that most toner's are another form of a cleanser and can leave the skin feeling even more dry! Toner can be great to balance out the level of pH in your skin but can also dry you out. If you are interested in using a toner for your dry skin, I recommend the Botanic Farm's Avocado Honey Rich Toner. This toner is made specifically for all of the dry gal's out there and will add that extra moisture you might looking for!
Moisturizer- Our biggest combative measure for dry skin is you guessed it... moisture!! Obviously drinking the right amount of water daily will help your skin, but I'm talking about products will help bring your skin back to life!
Moisturizer is going to be your most important step for dry skin, you want something that is THICK! Thicker creams tend to stay emollient for longer than thinner creams. Apply your moisturizer within 15 minutes after your shower! This is when your pores are the most open and is the best time to get the full benefits of your moisturizer. I recommend the Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre. This lotion is crafted in France and leaves the skin feeling buttery and healthy. Wait 5-7 minutes after applying your face moisturizer to apply any makeup products. You want to give the product time to sink into the skin!
Primer- Next up is going to be a highlighting primer! Something that adds dewi-ness but doesn't make you look like a tin-man. Ya feel? For this, I recommend the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector. This primer has a thin consistency so it doesn't feel too heavy on the skin but leaves a beautiful sheen underneath that will allow makeup to stick to it better and create a glow from within look!
Upkeep- Hopefully by following the above steps you won't have any issues but sometimes all of the skin care in the world won't keep dry skin from popping through! During the day to refresh your makeup and add a bit of moisture I recommend using the Mario Bedascu Rose Water. It not only feels amazing on the hot summer days here in NC but it bring life back to your makeup!
Oily Skin?
Now y'all, when I moved down to NC my skin threw me for a freaking LOOP! I had always been the girl struggling with dry patches and flakes. Getting to this humid climate, my skin balanced out and is truly combo now. Some days I am super oily, other days I am super dry!
Cleanser- Often times ladies with oily-skin end up getting stuck with cleansers that leave their skin feeling tight and dry. This is not what you want out of your cleanser. When you wash your face, you want to feel refreshed and radiant, this means getting a cleanser that is balanced with moisture and oil-combating ingredients. We recommend The Body Shops Aloe Calming Foaming Wash! This face wash is meant to clean out pores of excess oil and dirt. Oily skin girls are typically acne-prone due to the excess of oil production, the aloe-vera in this product helps calm irritation from acne and soothes sensitive skin!
Exfoliator- Exfoliation is not just for my dry skin babes!! That excess of oil creates for a nice layer of dead skin on the top! Removing that layer will reveal a brighter, more even skin tone. Plus, exfoliation can seriously help to prevent further acne from popping up! I recommend the Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Face Exfoliator. While
this exfoliator is great for all skin types, the umbrian clay is especially great at neutralizing acidity, absorbing excess oil and refining the appearance of pores. This stuff rocks!
Toner-Toner for oily skin is a MUST in my opinion! Toner helps to calm the skin and balance out the pH which means, less oil production baby! We recommend the Mario Bedascu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion! This toner is a perfect balance between balancing your skin and not drying it out. It will leave you feeling refreshed and your skin feeling ready for some makeup!
Moisturizer- The most common mistake with oily skin is that people are afraid to moisturize it as to "produce more oils." Well, I am here today to tell you that that is just a myth! Using an oil-free moisturizer will be the exact quench of thirst that your skin is reaching for. You can't deprive your skin of moisture because it will just produce more oil than it did in the first place. Think of it like taking one piece of chocolate instead of depriving yourself and eating the whole box an hour later.
Yeah, now you get me! I recommend using the Origins Oil-Free Moisture Lotion! This oil-free moisturizer is quickly become a fan favorite for acne-prone skin and the babes that are naturally dewy. While it states being oil-free, it is free from mineral oil but includes lots of skin nourishing essential oils. It helps to clear skin and mattify with its salicylic acid and silica in it!
Primer- Having a great oil-free primer will be the life saver for all of my oily girls. Mattifying primers immediately knock down the shine and allow for a smooth makeup application!! I use the Becca Mattifying Poreless Primer on all of my oily skin clients. This primer creates a matte finish on the areas it was applied! When applying use a small amount and a apply a thin layer with patting motions. If this product is applied to heavily, it will pill up and come right off the skin!
Upkeep- When you produce excess oils you always need to powder your foundation after application! The trick here is to ensure that you do not over-powder. This goes back to the over-drying thing we talked about with the moisturizer! When you over-powder you are tricking your skin into thinking that it is dry and needs to produce more oil; no bueno! As oil starts to peek through throughout the day, never just apply more powder over oils. I recommend starting by using oil-blotting sheets like these Clean & Clear ones! Blot away any excess oils and then re-apply a bit of powder and you are set to go!
helpful Tips & products for any skin type!
Facial Massages- Facial Massages are proven to produce better blood flow to the skin on the face and you know what that means?! Plump skin!! I really love using this Pink Quartz Roller. Not just because it's pink, ok maybe I like it because it's pink. Put your facial roller in the fridge over night, when you wake up you can use it to penetrate your favorite serum!!
Sweating- Most of us sweat, if you're like me then you're a head-sweater which means 5 minutes into a hot NC day and your hair looks a bit damp! Using a product like the Mehron Skin Prep Pro at the beginning of your makeup routine will seriously prevent any and all face sweating. I know, it seems impossible and crazy but it really does work! When applying, use a cotton round and apply a thin layer over areas that you are prone to sweating in. Areas like the sideburns, top of the forehead and upper lip are the most common! If you get a white film over the applied areas it means that you have applied a bit too much. You will also need to apply this to completely clean and dry face, that means no moisturizer either! This product is meant for days like your wedding that you'll need to be in the sun for a long period of time and need your makeup to stay put!
Large Pores- Some women struggle with the appearance of larger pores. Large pores will often appear in areas on and around your nose, your cheeks and your chin. If not filled in, these pores can be emphasized after makeup application, especially with the wrong products. The magic of makeup is that there are primers that can help combat this! I recommend Benefit's Poressional Primer. Only apply in small doses in the specific areas that you struggle with large pores.
Dry Lips- Some people don't consider this part of their skin prep routine but today is the day that you change your mind!! I apple Bite Beauty's Agave Lip Mask to my lips after my entire skin prep routine. I let this mask sit on during my makeup application and it softens my lips like no other! It is filled with healing antioxidants creating the perfect rejuvenating and hydrating formula!
Don't be overwhelmed!
Finding the right skin prep products specifically for you takes time and energy. Don't be discouraged if you try a product and you're ready to throw it in the trash! You could be using it incorrectly or it could just not be right for you. Not all products are meant to go on every person's skin! Keep trying and eventually, something will stick!
And most importantly, NEVER skip out on your skin!! I don't care if you're 18 or 78. At the end of the day your skin prep and care will be worth 10x more than the amount of makeup you put on it!
XOXO
Megan
Disclosure: Some the links above are affiliated links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.