How to Prep Your Skin Before Makeup for a Flawless Base

The secret to flawless, long-lasting makeup? Your pre-makeup skin care routine!

Ask any good makeup artist, and they will tell you that the secret to flawless-looking makeup is knowing how to prep your skin properly. It is not enough knowing how to apply foundation, or how to keep that highlight poppin'. You want to make sure that your skin is also in optimal condition, which can actually improve the appearance and performance of the makeup products you use!

Whether you're getting ready for a big day, or just looking for a little self-pamper session before work, below is a quick and easy step-by-step guide you can follow to make sure your makeup looks and stays flawless the whole day:

STEP 1: Cleanse, exfoliate and tone

You want to start with a clean base, so do your double cleanse or wipe away any impurities with a micellar water or toner. If you notice any dry patches on your skin, grab an exfoliating pad (like the Neogen Real Charcoal Pad) and quickly swipe on your skin to get rid of them.

If you're looking for a product that can do all three (cleanse, exfoliate AND tone), you can't go wrong with the all-time makeup artist favourite Son & Park Beauty Water!

STEP 2: Assess & target your skin

The next step is a little bit more straightforward, which is simply assessing your skin and figuring out what it needs. (Psst, if you're unsure about what type of skin you have, take our skin quiz!)

If your skin is looking a little dull, pop on a quick brightening mask like the By Wishtrend Natural Vitamin C21.5 Enhancing Sheet Mask. Looking puffy after last night's ramen? The Heimish Black Tea Mask Pack is here to the rescue! Whatever skin concerns you want to target, there's plenty of products out there that can cover all your bases.

STEP 3: Moisturise & prime

As the last step, you’ll want to properly moisturise your skin so makeup don't stick to dry patches, or seep into fine lines. For this, it is important to choose a moisturiser based on your particular skin type. Someone with dryer skin might get a heavier, oil-based cream, while someone with oily skin might prefer a gel-based moisturiser to lightly hydrate without greasiness.

Related article: The Importance of Moisturising, Even for Oily Skin

Let the moisturiser sink properly, or wait for 5-10 minutes before applying makeup so it doesn't pill or make your complexion look oily. Don't forget to also prime your lips with a lip balm, or use an eyeshadow primer if you're looking to do a more dramatic look.

Our Laneige Lip Glowy Balm will keep your lips hydrated, without hampering your lip product's colour payoff!

Sometimes, the issues you might have with makeup are actually skin care issues! This is why you should invest in your skin first, before makeup. What other pre-makeup skin care tips do you have?