How to Properly Prep Your Skin Before Applying Makeup
To achieve flawless makeup application, remember to prep your skin correctly with cleansing, toning, and moisturizing.
Prep Your Skin: Tips for Ideal Hydration
Contrary to popular belief, achieving flawless looking makeup isn’t only about the concealer, eye shadows, and mascaras you use, it’s also about how you prep your skin beforehand. Figuring out the right skincare products and incorporating them into your skincare routine in the correct order is crucial for your makeup look, something makeup artists emphasize. Properly prepping your skin helps to ensure even application of beauty products and maintain the overall health of your complexion.
What does "prep your skin" mean?
"Prep your skin" is a transformative ritual. It sets the stage for achieving a luminous, healthy complexion that enhances any makeup application.
This essential process is more than just a routine—it's an investment in your skin's health and beauty. By prioritizing cleansing, toning, treating, and moisturizing, you imbue your skin with the vitality it needs to glow from within. These steps create a flawless canvas, allowing makeup products to glide smoothly and adhere longer, unleashing your most radiant self.
Correct skincare preparation significantly influences makeup performance. It diminishes imperfections, offering a polished look.
Not only does this enhance aesthetic appeal—by addressing individual skin needs such as hydration or pore-minimization, you assure your skin remains in optimal condition—thus transforming each beauty regime into a moment of self-care.
Embrace these enriching practices for glowing skin, and relish the newfound confidence as each nuance enhances your natural allure. These expert-recommended steps are poised to be a cornerstone of your self-care journey, presenting you with a world where skincare is artistry, inspiring you every day.
So, instead of reaching for your foundation right away, consider following these six easy steps to properly prep your skin before applying any makeup.
Step 1: Start with clean skin
Before you do anything, you’ll first need to remove your makeup and cleanse your skin. For your skin to be free of blemishes and dead skin, it needs to be clean of any grime and oils. However, you must choose a cleanser that isn’t too harsh on your skin. If you don’t it’ll end up stripping it of its natural oils, causing it to become dry and/or inflamed. For this reason, it’s best to opt for a cleanser that comes in the form of a cream, gel, or oil as these tend to be more gentle on the skin. This will reduce the chances of skin irritation but still adequately cleanse it. When you’re finished, gently pat your skin dry with a towel.
“Prepping your pout can make for a smooth canvas before putting on your favorite bold colors.”
~ Jessica Mae
Step 2: Tone it up
Next, you’ll want to apply a balancing toner as a final step to your cleansing process. This will allow you to remove any additional impurities and dead skin cells that your cleanser may have missed. Along with this, toners also serve as a base for the rest of your skincare products. Whether you apply your toner by spritzing it on your face, or by saturating a cotton pad and wiping it onto your skin, is completely up to you. Although either method is okay, most dermatologists will recommend using a cotton pad because it’s more effective in getting rid of any cleanser residue and diluted water chemicals that occurred from step one.
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Step 3: Treat with care
After you cleanse and tone your skin, it's best to incorporate any skincare treatments and SPF into your skincare routine at this time. When your skin is free of oil, dirt, and other pore-clogging buildup, treatment products like an anti-aging cream or acne spot patches, for instance, have a better chance to penetrate the skin. Keep in mind that the type of products you use will be dependent on both your skin type and needs. For some people, preventing fine lines and wrinkles may be their biggest skincare concern, whereas other people may be more concerned with fighting off their unwanted blemishes. Whatever your focus is, remember to be selective when choosing your treatment as these products are designed to be rich with highly concentrated ingredients so that you can attain optimal results quickly.
Step 4: Boost skin hydration
Natural makeup looks for women in business by makeup artists at WarPaint International.
Regardless of the skin type you have, moisturizing is a must. In addition to enhancing your natural glow, using a daily moisturizer can promote an even application of foundation or concealer and help your makeup stay on longer. There are a variety of ways you can add moisture to your complexion. Between face serums, oils, and moisturizers, it’s easy to boost skin hydration. While all of these skincare products can pair well with each other, you should still be mindful of your skin type before deciding which of these products you’d like to incorporate in your skin regimen. Those of you with dry skin, for example, may benefit most from using a hyaluronic acid serum first, followed by a moisturizer with a heavy-cream based formula. Depending on how flakey your skin is, you may also want to apply one or two drops of face oil to lock in the moisture. For those of you with oily skin, on the other hand, you’ll want to avoid pairing these types of products together as they may cause excess shine and clogged pores. Instead, stick with using an oil-free moisturizer so you can condition and hydrate your skin without leaving it feeling greasy.
Step 5: Prep your pout
As you wait for your skin to absorb the added moisture, it’s time to move onto your lips. For all you lipstick lovers out there, this is an especially important step for you to follow. Prepping your pout can make for a smooth canvas before putting on your favorite bold colors. To achieve this, try using a lip scrub! Lip scrubs are an efficient way to exfoliate the dead skin cell buildup on the surface of your lips, making for desirable soft lips. All you have to do is apply a little bit of the scrub onto your lips and massage in a circular motion and leave on for two to three minutes. Despite the fact that you can purchase a lip scrub from many makeup brands, you can also try creating your own using a few common household ingredients, such as raw honey and brown sugar. To learn about different DIY lip scrub recipes, check out this link!
Step 6: Prime your base
Now that you’ve cleansed, toned, treated, and hydrated your skin, you’re ready to prime your base. Primer is the last and arguably one of the most essential steps to prepping your skin before applying your makeup. This product serves to support a polished, long-lasting make-up look because it’s designed to smooth fine lines, wrinkles, and large pores. Primers can come in the form of mists, gels, or powders, so make sure you pick one that aligns with your skin type and suits the overall look you’re going for. For a seamless finish, apply a small amount of primer to your fingers and massage onto face. For liquid primers, wait a couple of minutes to ensure your skin is dry before you start putting on other makeup products. Or, if you’re using a powder-based primer, you’ll want to begin by tipping a small amount of powder into the lid of its jar first. Then, grab a makeup brush and tap off any excess powder and apply it to your face in a circular motion.
For great tips and advice on how to prep your skin, check out Skincare Routine 101 For Every Skin Type by Natural Acne Clinic.
Professional Makeup Assistance with WarPaint International
For those special events where you want to look your absolute best, consider booking a professional makeup artist from WarPaint International, a renowned beauty agency in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago, and Jacksonville, offering on-site makeup services. Their experts can assist with both your skin prep and makeup application, ensuring a flawless look tailored to your unique style and event needs. Whether it's a wedding, gala, or any important occasion, WarPaint International's artists bring their expertise and creativity to enhance your natural beauty, leaving you confident and radiant.
For brides-to-be, a wedding makeup artist can make all the difference in ensuring a picture-perfect look on your special day. These professionals are skilled not only in choosing the right shades and products that match your personal style but also in understanding the best techniques to make your makeup last through the tears, kisses, and celebratory dances. If you’re looking for that flawless finish and a stress-free experience, hiring a wedding makeup artist could be the key to shining brightly on your wedding day.
Book a Private Makeup Lesson
Elevate your beauty routine by booking a private makeup lesson with WPI Beauty Agency Artisans. This personalized session offers an exclusive opportunity to learn expert skin prep techniques and discover a new makeup look tailored to your unique features and style. Under the guidance of skilled artisans, you'll gain insights into selecting the right products for your skin type, mastering application techniques, and achieving a flawless finish. Whether you're preparing for a special event or simply seeking to enhance your everyday routine, this lesson empowers you with the knowledge and confidence to create stunning looks that reflect your individuality.
The 2024 Ultimate Pre-Date Beauty Checklist
Here are six essential steps for your ultimate pre-date beauty checklist. Start the magic before the date.
Pre-Date Vibe Check
Contrary to popular belief, the magic doesn’t just happen in the midst of the date night, it happens before too! Properly preparing for the occasion will not only impact your level of confidence, but it can also impact the success of a date. That’s why you need to follow these beautifying steps before you spend a romantic night out with that special someone.
Six Essential Steps for Your Ultimate Pre-date Beauty Checklist
Step 1: Exfoliate Your Skin
To keep your skin looking soft and smooth, you must exfoliate. Scrub off those dead skin cells from your body by using a loofa or exfoliating gloves. Regular exfoliation will help improve circulation and allow your skin to appear brighter and more energized. Make sure that you’re hitting every area of your body, but be careful that you aren’t scrubbing too vigorously. Otherwise, your skin may become red or irritated, especially in more sensitive regions, like the chest or face. To ensure you don’t show up to your date with blotchy-looking skin, try exfoliating in the shower the night before your scheduled plans.
Step 2: Shave Your Body
Part of attaining soft and smooth skin involves shaving. It’s not always a necessity, but depending on what you’re wearing, you may feel better if you shave off those prickly, unwanted hairs. Unfortunately, this task can sometimes be tricky, especially for those of you with lighter hair who don’t realize you missed a section until it’s too late. Although shaving can be time-consuming, it’s imperative that you dedicate time to this activity so that you don’t miss any areas on your body or risk your chance of getting razor bumps and/or ingrown hairs. To alleviate the chance of this happening, you should apply shaving cream before shaving to soften the hair follicles and lubricate the skin.
Step 3: Moisturize From Head-to-toe
When you’re finished exfoliating and shaving, grab a lotion, ointment, or cream, and moisturize your body from head to toe. This will give your skin the perfect dewy finish for your date. Along with this, it will also help to replenish the natural barrier of your skin by locking in moisture. And while you may choose to lather yourself in a scented lotion, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a fragrance-free ointment or cream instead as they usually treat skin more effectively.
Step 4: Master Your Skin-Care
Next, it’s time to concentrate on skincare for your face. Unlike the other areas of your body, prepping your face will require some additional steps before it’s ready for make-up. For the most part, your skin-care routine should consist of the following: a cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturizer. However, depending on your unique skin type, the routine you follow and the products you use may vary. If you have acne-prone skin, for example, you may also want to use a high-strength acne cream to treat your blemishes leading up to your date. On the other hand, if you have dry, sensitive skin, you may want to incorporate certain essential oils in your skin-care regimen to help maintain its hydration and soothe any redness.
Step 5: Plan Your Make-Up
Now, your skin is officially ready for some make-up! But before you start caking it on, you should first think about the type of date you’re getting ready for. Are you preparing for a dinner date at a fancy restaurant? Or, are you and your date planning to spend the day hiking outside? Needless to say, different dates usually call for different make-up styles. With a dinner date, you have more freedom to experiment with colorful lipsticks and eyeshadows. By contrast, physical activities like hiking may cause you to sweat, which could result in running makeup. For this reason, it’s critical that you also consider how your beauty products respond to environmental factors and find the best ways to keep it from running.
Pro Tip: Book an On-site Makeup Artist/Hairstylist. For many people, going out on a date (or going out to an event) is a special occasion. We’re not doing it every day of our lives, so looking and feeling our best can be a really fun adventure. If you’re working on all these categories to ensure the night is a success, then why not bring a professional on-site beauty team into your home or hotel to apply the finishing touches and seal the deal? Consider a beauty agency such as WarPaint International which offers on-site hair and makeup services from experienced Artisans who are vetted, technically tested, and background checked for your safety.
You can book on-site hair and makeup from WPI Beauty in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago, and Jacksonville Florida.
Step 6: Fragrance
Finally, spritz yourself with your favorite body mist or perfume. Smelling good is one of the best ways to subtly attract your date and build your confidence. Even though some scents are stronger than others, you must remember that a little goes a long way. Plus, you can always pack your fragrance in your purse and apply it when necessary. To make your fragrance last, be sure to spray it on your “pulse points.” Perfume is activated by body heat, so applying it behind your ear, throat, back of your knees, and the inside of your elbow will keep you smelling great all night long.
As a side note to fragrance, be thoughtful when using these products. Today, human society has built various sensitivities and allergies to some of the toxic chemicals that have long been used in many perfumes and beauty lines. Some people will have an anaphylactic attack by simply being in the same space as a perfume. If you’re going on a new or blind date, our best advice is to go light on your fragrance choices or to avoid them completely during the first encounter. Perhaps… get to know your audience. If you’re not up to speed with the prominence of perfume allergies, watch the video in this article about how chemicals in perfumes and other products can make us sick.
Bonus Tip: Choose Your Handbag or Purse
Selecting the ideal handbag or purse is a personal journey that depends on several key factors. Whether intended for everyday use, work, a special occasion, or travel, this initial decision lays the foundation for your choices. You can opt for classic, bohemian, minimalist, trendy, or vintage designs, each allowing you to align your choice with your fashion aesthetic.
Size is a crucial consideration. The size of the handbag matters significantly. Consider clutches for formal events, crossbody or shoulder bags for daily use, and larger totes or backpacks for work or travel. The right size ensures functionality and practicality.
Choose a smarter leather purse with the right color or pattern, which can significantly influence your overall look. While neutral tones like black, brown, and beige offer versatility, bolder colors or patterns can make a style statement. But you can also combine unique color combinations to express your fashion sense.
Moreover, it's vital to set a budget without compromising the quality. You can buy reasonably priced handbags or purses from reputable brands in physical or online stores. Lastly, don't forget to consider the functional features. Compartments, straps, and materials such as leather or canvas can significantly affect how well the handbag suits your daily needs.
Endrizzi Italian Handbags
If you want to take your drip to a luxury level at a reasonable price, check out Moda Endrizzi Handbags. Endrizzi handbags are hand-crafted in the heart of Florence Italy in limited runs. They’re a small, boutique brand that offers extremely high-quality products with leather sourced from local farms in Tuscany. Their latest special edition bags the ‘Mia’ Tote Bag and ‘Bianca’ Tote Bag offer stylish, practical, and spacious luxury that just hit different. They are great options for daytime as well as for an elegant evening out.
5 Bachelorette Party Ideas 2019
For the bride to be, the perfect bachelorette party doesn’t always have to involve a night out on the town. Whether you actually prefer beer over wine or are in need of a short getaway, there are plenty of fantastic options to tailor a bachelorette party for you and your friends. Here are our favorite creative ideas for a bachelorette weekend getaway.
For the bride to be, the perfect bachelorette party doesn’t always have to involve a night out on the town. Whether you actually prefer beer over wine or are in need of a short getaway, there are plenty of fantastic options to tailor a bachelorette party for you and your friends.
Here are our favorite creative ideas for a bachelorette weekend getaway.
There’s something for everyone with these fun bachelorette ideas!
Glamping
For those who want a relaxing getaway in the outdoors, glamping is the perfect option for you! Grab your girls for a luxe weekend retreat and book your ticket to the great outdoors. At Soap Lake Resort decked-out cabins and hotel rooms are situated near a mineral lake. Known for its holistic wellness properties, this natural spa is the perfect place for some fun bachelorette party games and charming restaurants. Soap Lake Resort’s bridal packages and room offerings make it the perfect place to make some memories. To book your reservation, make sure to check out their website.
(Image via Soap Lake Resort Flickr)
Distillery
Instead of opting for a vineyard or winery, try hosting your bachelorette weekend at a distillery! While most vineyard parties require travel to a different state, a great distillery is always a great in-state opportunity to drink and have a great time. Your bachelorette party can get tipsy during their bar crawl, then opt for mani-pedis and great food afterward. This affordable yet memorable bachelorette party will create memories for years to come.
Staycation
Does your bachelorette party need to be short and sweet? A staycation is an amazing opportunity to have a vacation away from home. Plan a fun night or two for you and your gals at a local nearby hotel, and let your inner child embrace the ultimate sleepover! The opportunities are endless with matching pajamas, themed games, and slumber party snacks.
Tea Party
Host your very own tea party! A low key but still celebratory event, a tea party can be a great last-minute option for guests who won’t be in town until a couple of days before the wedding. From customized napkins and tea favors, a tea party can still be customized to your needs for a personalized feel. Cousins and college friends can break the ice over scones, petit fours, and tea for an untraditional yet memorable time. This easy to execute idea makes it one of the best bachelorette party ideas for 2019.
City Stay
You don’t have to go to Sin City for your bachelorette weekend! While Vegas is the perfect destination for some, consider traveling to other cities for a more intimate experience. A fun weekend trip to Nashville or Portland might be the ideal bachelorette party, packed with tons of cool restaurants, shopping, and bar crawls. In addition, choosing a city in between old college friends makes it easier for everyone to gather together. Get your itineraries ready and book your next trip. And while hitting a night on the town, don’t forget your on-site hair and makeup!
Plan the Perfect Bachelorette Party Today
So what are you waiting for? With plenty of options to choose from, start brainstorming your perfect bachelorette weekend now.
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