Your vanity must be lined with the latest makeup products and kits! But every time you get ready to head out somewhere and reach out for your makeup kit, keep in mind that before applying any makeup it’s very important to prepare and prep your skin. This will ensure that your makeup will last all day long without creasing easily. Prepping your skin is also a great way to relax the facial muscles and open up your pores, allowing your makeup choices to show off your best.
For this to happen, it’s important that you take out a few minutes and understand a few basics of your skin – your face shape, your skin type whether its oily, dry, combination, sensitive or normal, your usual problem areas on the skin, blemishes you need to hide, part of your face that you want to accentuate, checking the weather, the place where you’re heading to, and what kind of a look you want to create with the makeup.Once you’ve decided on all of the above, follow these five basic steps on how to prep skin for makeup.
How To Prep Your Skin For Makeup
1. Cleanse Your Face:
Choose a facial cleanser based on your skin type – dry, normal, oily, combination or sensitive.
If there are any traces of previous night’s makeup or an earlier makeup application, make sure you remove all of it with a makeup remover, giving special attention to your eyes and creases. Nicely clean your face by rubbing the product in circular motions, not to forget, your neck and throat area as well.
2. Exfoliate:
Once you’ve cleansed your skin, the next step is to exfoliate your skin, neck and throat area. Again, buy an exfoliating product that is apt for your face, keeping in mind your requirement and skin type. Once you damp your face, apply the product on your finger tips and rub across your face in circular motions.
3. Applying Toner:
Once you’ve properly cleansed and exfoliated your face, the next step is to maintain the skins PH balance with a toner. Dab some of your favourite toner on a damp cotton pad and wipe it all over your face.
4. Moisturize:
This will be your final step in the CTM routine – Cleaning, Toning, Moisturizing. Get a moisturizer that will suit your skin needs as this is an extremely important step for all the skin types. Moisturizing your face properly will ensure you keep the skin well hydrated and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
5. Sunscreen:
Whether you are applying any makeup or not, this is the one step that you absolutely cannot afford to forget 365 days a week. Dab it properly all over your face and neck (and any other exposed areas) to let the product seep in through your skin layers allowing it to work better. Applying a good SPF helps in reducing the effects of the harmful rays from the sun. It also protects you from skin cancer as excess exposure to the sun without a proper protection can cause severe skin cancers.
Tips: A few tips to remember while you are all ready to prime the skin:
1. If you have dry skin, go for a cleanser that will adequately hydrate your skin without leaving the skin feeling stretched. A cream-based or a moisturizing face wash may be your best bet here. For oily skin, choose an oil-free light cleanser and if you have a sensitive skin you can pick a very mild cleanser. In case your skin is prone to acne, do look out for salicylic acid in the ingredients as this is always good for the skin with frequent acne attacks. If you have any skin problems or damaged skin, you may benefit from a medicated cleanser.
2. Try and remove all your makeup every night before going to bed. Sometimes if you sleep with your makeup on, remember to clean your face properly the next morning, giving special care to the eye area and other creases. Apply an eye-makeup remover to take off any last-bit traces of kajal, mascara or eye-shadow.
3. Follow the CTM routine as much as you can. It’s a great way to keep your skin hydrated and fresh all the time making you feel healthy and fresh.
4. Apply your sunscreen at least 30 minutes prior to stepping outdoors.
5. Once you’ve moisturized and applied sunscreen on your face, let it work for at least 10-15 minutes before you start applying any makeup on it.
A few very simple things to do that will keep your skin lovely and beautiful, don’t you think? Hope all your queries on how to prepare your skin for makeup is cleared. Do drop in your comments.