Every beauty look follows a makeup routine, and it can vary from person to person. Some start with their primer and foundation; others start with their eyebrows and lips.
The order in which you apply makeup can be subjective. While there are no strict application guidelines, following a few basic steps can help you step up your makeup game. Keep reading to find a handy makeup routine and recommendations that work for you.
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Simple Makeup Routine to Enhance Your Beauty
Prep Your Face Before Your Makeup Routine
Face prep is vital to ensure your makeup looks its best. However, it depends on your skin type, how much makeup you want to apply, and how long you want it to last.
Start by washing your face every morning and applying a light moisturizer or hydrating serum. Then finish with SPF, preferably one that doubles as a moisturizer and primer. Afterward, wait about 15 minutes to let the cream settle into your skin before you apply makeup.
Use Your Primer
Primer is the unsung hero of any makeup. It hides visible pores, controls excess shine, and makes your makeup last longer. Use it to target your major skin concerns before applying makeup.
Apply Your Foundation & Concealer
Should you apply your foundation before your concealer? The answer is up to you. It’s okay to try different techniques until you see what works. But as a rule of thumb, choosing which one to apply first depends on your skin’s needs. If you have an uneven tone with blemishes, even out your face with foundation. But if dark under-eye circles are your main concern, brighten them with a concealer.
Once you even out your skin, you’ll get a clean canvas and your products will pop better.
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Apply Contour and Bronzer
After using foundation and concealer, apply bronzer and/or contour. Bronzer adds warmth and dimension and balances your face tone with your body.
Fill Your Brows for Your Makeup Routine
Your brows help frame your face and create a finished look. Whether you use pencils, powders, gels, or combine any of these formulas, brush out the hairs first, trim off, then fill in only where needed. This creates a soft, natural brow look.
Apply Your Eye Makeup
Eyeshadow and liner help to add more allure to your look. Pick your vibe: smoky eye, winged liner, or a colorful eyeshadow palette. Anything works so long as it aligns with your overall makeup goal.
Once you’re done, add your mascara to the mix. If you plan to use an eyelash curler, do so before applying mascara to keep the formula from sticking to the curler and pulling out lashes. Also, ensure the mascara is fully dry if you want to touch your shadow or liner afterwards.
Apply Blush and Highlighter
Applying blush toward the end of your makeup routine lets you tailor the color to your overall look. For extra points, match your lip color to your blush by wearing similar undertones for a more cohesive result.
There’s no right or wrong answer on whether to apply blush or highlighter first. But note that the product you apply first is usually more prominent. If you want a glowy look with a pop of color, apply the highlighter first and diffuse the blush into the glow. If you prefer a colorful look with a subtle glow, apply the blush first and diffuse the glow into the color.
Wear Lip Makeup
Lip makeup tends to be applied at the end of everything else. Do you want a matte or glossy finish, or a subtle or bold lip? Make your choice. Then apply your lip liner and lipstick, as needed.
Apply Powder for Your Makeup Routine
If your skin is oily or you’re prone to creasing, you may want to set your concealer with powder right after applying it. But waiting until the end has some benefits. It allows you to apply other products without minding if it’ll affect the powder. Also, applying powder at the end lets you cover specific areas more strategically, especially parts of your face that may have already been set by products like powder blush.
Set Your Look
Finish off your makeup look with setting spray. It’ll prolong your makeup wear and keep you looking gorgeous all day long.
At the end of the day, the order in which you apply your makeup doesn’t really matter. But the best way to find your ideal makeup routine is through trial and error and finding what works best for you. Experiment with different products and application steps. That’s what makes makeup fun and exciting.
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