You are probably here because you want to know the best order in which to apply makeup. You may be wondering if you are applying makeup correctly. It is a hotly debated topic, and there are many arguments about what should be done first. There is no perfect rule of thumb for applying makeup.
There are some general guidelines that you can follow to achieve a flawless makeup canvas. This article will answer the majority of your questions, such as should you use concealers or foundation first? Which should you use first, eyeliner or shadow? The order is: Eyeliner, eyebrows, etc. Scroll down to learn the correct order of applying makeup products.
How do you apply makeup products?
1. Prep Your Skin
Prepping your skin is the first step in applying makeup. Your skin must be well-hydrated for makeup to look flawless. Otherwise, you might notice dry patches on your face if you suffer from dry skin. No matter what your skin type is, moisturizing it is essential. Yes, oily skin requires moisturization too.
Wearing sunscreen is the next thing to do if you’re going out in the sunshine. You can select your SPF based on the length of time you will be exposed to sun. It is recommended to apply your SPF 20 minutes prior to going out in the sun.
2. Primer
After prepping the skin, you would apply primer. Primarily, a primer’s job is to make the skin look seamless and even. It is not necessary to use a primer. If you do decide to use primer, choose one that will address your skin concerns and smooth out your skin. Try a primer that hydrates, like the e.l.f Cosmetics hydrating face primer. If you have oily skin, opt for an oil-free mattifying primer such as Lancome La Base Pro Oil Free Longwear Makeup Primer and L’oreal Infallible Pro Matte Lock Primer.
To correct the skin color, use a skin-colour correcting primer such as REVLON’s Photoready Color Correcting Primer. Benefit Cosmetics’ The POREfessional Primer for Pore Minimization is a primer that minimizes pores. Look for primers that are non-comedogenic, such as L’Oreal Infallible Infallible Pro Matte Lock Primer, if you have acne prone skin.
3. Foundation
How to apply makeup in the correct order
Many people are confused as to whether you should apply concealer or foundation first. The answer is that foundation should be applied first, followed by concealer. This is because the foundation matches your skin tone exactly, which will even out the complexion. Concealer then covers the darker spots. When applying foundation, make sure that the concealer is not wiped away during the blending process. There is an exception, if you use a colour corrector to neutralize your skin tone.
After a while, foundation can oxidize. So it’s quite essential to pick your exact shade. You should read my article on How to select the correct foundation shade for your type of skin.
You should choose foundation according to your skin type. You can choose a hydrating foundation for dry skin or a matte foundation for oily skin. If your skin is acne-prone, you should use a foundation that contains salicylic acid. Non-comedogenic cosmetics are designed to not clog your pores. Salicylic acid can help clear acne and prevent further breakouts.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Tint, Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + smooth Foundation and Maybelline New York Fit Me Dewy+ Smooth Foundation are recommended for dry skin.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation and Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation are recommended for oily skin.
The Best Foundations for Acne Prone Skin Neutrogena Oil-Free Skin Clearing Makeup, Maybelline Matte + Poreless Foundation and Estee Lauder Stay-in Place Double Wear Makeup
4. Concealer
In the correct order, apply concealer after foundation. To cover dark circles, choose a concealer that is a couple of shades lighter than your skin. To cover blemishes, choose a concealer that is the same color as your skin. Apply the concealer to all blemishes and imperfections, including dark spots, undereye circles, pigmentation and acne scars.
As with foundation, you should choose concealer according to your skin type. Concealer for dry skin should provide hydration. To keep shine at bay, oily skin types can opt for concealers that mattify. Acne-prone types of skin should choose concealers that do not cause acne.
Covergirl Clean Fresh Hydrating Concealer is a good choice for dry skin.
Choose a concealer for oily skin: M.A.C Studio fix 24-hour smooth wear Concealer; Maybelline New York Fit Me Contour Concealer; Smashbox Studio Skin Flawless 24 Hour Oil-Free Concealer
The Best Concealer for Acne Prone Skin: Smashbox Studio Skin Flawless 24 Hour Oil-Free Concealer and Dermablend Quick Fix Full Coverage Concealer
5. Powder
This is the correct way to apply powder after concealer and foundation, whether you are using compact powder or a loose powder.
Use powder to set your cream-based bronzer, blush, and highlighter. Otherwise, your face will look cakey.
6. Bronzer, Blush And Then Highlighter
The correct order for contouring the face is bronzer, blush and highlighter. These are available in liquid, cream or powder formulas. Powder formulas are suitable for all skin types, but work best on oily skin. Cream formulas are usually hydrating and therefore beneficial to dry skin. The liquid formulas are easy to mix and absorb into the skin quickly. After applying liquid or cream formulas, apply powder.
How to Apply Bronzer?
To achieve that sculpted, sultry face. Apply bronzer to your brush. Use it on your forehead hairline and lower cheekbones, as well as the side of your nose.
You can also learn how to get perfect wing eyeliner every time.
How to Apply Blush ?
Use your blush applicator to add color on your apples of cheeks.
How to Apply highlighter?
The application of highlighter depends entirely on which part of your face you want to emphasize. It is usually applied to the cupid’s bow, bridge of nose, upper cheekbones, browbones, centre of forehead, corner eyes for an awake look, and the chin. Applying a highlighter to the cupid’s bow will give the appearance of fuller lips.
Try: Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Highlighter & Bronzer Face Palette Kit, Maybelline New York Fit Me Blush.
7. Eyeshadow
Next, add definition to your eyes. You can adjust the eyeshadow to suit the makeup you want to achieve. Blending is the key to getting the perfect eyeshadow.
Use a nude lipstick to bring the focus on your eyes when creating an intense or dramatic eyeshadow look.
8. Eyeliner
Always eyeliner first, then eyeshadow. Choose the eyeliner according to your experience in using it. You can start with pencil eyeliners such as L’oreal Pro-Last waterproof Pencil Eyeliner if you are a novice. The pencil eyeliner will help you create a smokey eye in a flash. On the market, you can also find gel eyeliner or liquid eyeliner. Gel eyeliners last a long time. Liquid eyeliner delivers impressive outcomes. If you are familiar with eyeliners, then liquid eyeliner is a great option. Try Nyx Professional Makeup’s Epic Wear Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeliner for liquid eyeliner. For gel eyeliner you can use L’Oreal’s Infallible Lacquer eye.
9. Mascara And False Lashes
Apply a few coats of mascara after curling your lashes. Mascaras have a certain charm that can elevate any eye makeup. Try Too Faced’s Better Than Sex mascara to volumize, lift and lengthen curls. Loreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Maskcara is a great drugstore option. It offers intense length and voluptuous volume. This is where you place your false eyelashes after applying mascara. However, this step can be skipped. False eyelashes are the best for a smokey eye look or dramatic eyes. False eyelashes take the dramatic look to a whole new level.
10. Eyebrows
I often prefer doing my eyebrows before my eye makeup. The eyebrows should be done after the eyeshadow and mascara, to enhance the intensity of your eyes and face makeup. You can choose from a variety of eyebrow enhancers, including pencils, powders, gels, and pomades. Use eyebrow powder to enhance eyebrows. Use an eyebrow pencil to shape your eyebrows. You can add definition to your eyebrows by using eyebrow pomades like Nyx Professional makeup Tame & frame Tinted Eyebrow Colored Pomade. Use Benefit Cosmetics GimmeBrow+ Tinted Volumeizing Eyebrow Gel to tame eyebrows all in one spot.
11. Lipliner and Lipstick
Lipliner can be used as a cosmetic. If you want fuller lips but have thin lips, you may consider liplining first. Lipliners also smooth out uneven lips. Lip liner should be a close match for your lipstick.
Lipstick is applied last in the order of makeup application. You can use a lip balm with a tint or choose matte, glossy or satin lipstick.
If you are wearing a lot of eye makeup, choose a matte lipstick such as Maybelline SuperStay Matte Lipstick Seductress. Try MAC Retro Matte Lipstick Ruby Woo Lipstick if red is your favorite lipstick, or NYX Professional MAKEUP Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick Kitten Heels if you’re going to a party.
Order of application: Outline the lips first with a lip liner that matches your lipstick color, then apply lipstick and finish with lip gloss.
12. Setting Spray
It is optional but if you want your makeup to last longer, spray the setting spray onto your face. Avoid getting it in your eyes. Try the NYX PROFESSIONAL Makeup Makeup Setting Spray. This setting spray comes in matte, dewy and radiant finishes.
The conclusion of the article is
Here we conclude our post about the correct order of applying makeup products. Let’s sum up the post. Order of application: Prepping skin, primer and foundation, concealer and powder (if using liquid or cream bronzer or highlighter powder, go after those), bronzer, cheek, highlighter and eyeshadow. Also, false eyelashes and mascara, eyebrows and lipliner. Most makeup artists agree on this order. This article is a great read and I hope it helps you in your daily makeup routine. This is the way I prefer to do my makeup. I usually apply eyeshadow before contouring. What order do you use makeup? Let me know what you think in the comments section below.