Your Makeup Will Last Longer If You Follow These 7 Skin Prep Steps

Why Skin Prep Is an Essential Part of Makeup Application

Gray believes that “skincare is the most important step in makeup, especially for a flawless base. She says that “it’s impossible to make the skin look flawless without a great skin prep tailored to your skin.” But why exactly is skin prep so essential beyond giving you a flawless makeup base? “Without skin prep before putting on makeup, skin tends to be dry or oily, perhaps with some texture,” Gray explains. “All of this skincare helps prep the face better for the makeup to lie on. It’s like prepping your canvas for a painting.”

For those with dehydrated or dry skin, hydration is key, but it’s also essential for other skin types. “Hydration might be the most important,” says Gray. “Without proper moisture, it’s like applying makeup on a dried-up raisin.” Exfoliation is also a necessary skin prep step, especially for those who struggle with skin texture. “Whether it be acne, larger pores, fine lines, or wrinkles, exfoliating helps diminish the appearance of that texture and also provides a smooth base for any makeup,” Gray continues.

Beyond helping your makeup go on smoothly, skin prep also helps with the longevity of your makeup. Gray shares that this is especially essential for those with oily skin. “For instance, on people with more oily skin, if the skin is not prepped for oil control, it can completely disrupt the base. The oil can completely break down the makeup; however, with proper skin prep, that oil is under control and doesn’t break down the makeup (and doesn’t make your skin look shiny and oily),” she says.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Prepping Your Skin for Makeup

Gray shares her six-step routine for prepping skin before you apply your makeup. Following all these steps and using the recommended skincare products can help ensure your makeup stays put and lasts longer.

Step 1: Start With a Cleanser

Before you apply any product, you must start by washing your face. “I would recommend starting with a cleanser,” says Gray. “This removes any lingering dirt, oil, and leftover makeup.” She recommends the ABÉ & MASON Yudono Cleansing Water because “it’s a gentle cleanser and works for every skin type.” For dry skin, the FRESH Soy pH-Balanced Hydrating Face Wash contains nourishing soy proteins, cooling cucumber extract, and balancing rosewater to gently cleanse the skin while also acting as a toner. A great cleanser for oily skin is the LAVIDO Thera Intensive Oil Control Clarifying Gel Wash, which is formulated with salicylic acid, cinnamon, sage, and spearmint to cleanse and balance oily skin. Skin a little sensitive? Try the FIRST AID BEAUTY Pure Skin Face Cleanser, which is fragrance-free and gently removes makeup, dirt, and impurities without upsetting sensitive skin.

Step 2: Exfoliate If Necessary

Gray says that sometimes exfoliating with a cleanser is enough. But there are other times when you need to do a little something extra. Dry skin types know this all too well. She says she prefers a chemical exfoliant for this step, with her fave being the DR. DENNIS GROSS Alpha Beta® Ultra Gentle Daily Peel. “They are quick and leave no mess and no redness. They’ll leave your skin super soft and ready for makeup application.” While some can use a chemical exfoliant, others may require a physical exfoliant; this all depends on your skin type. For those who want to get rid of redness or blemishes, the AVANT SKINCARE Glycolic Acid Rejuvenating Face Exfoliator will help refine, brighten, and renew your skin. Dry skin types will likely need a physical exfoliant, like the GIRLACTIK Fruit Superfood Sugar Face Scrub, to buff away dead skin cells and other impurities.

Step 3: Use a Toner

After you exfoliate, you should go in with a toner to balance your skin’s pH, tighten pores, hydrate the skin, and prep it for the rest of the products to come. The BYROE Mini Pro-Berry Pore Refining Toner helps to clear your pores so you don’t have to worry about any texture showing up in your makeup application. Dry skin will love the DEW OF THE GODS Ultratonic Watermelon Extract Toner because it contains alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), vitamins, hyaluronic acids, and watermelon to keep skin calm and impurity-free. Ideal for all skin types, the SKIN&CO ROMA Truffle Therapy Face Toner utilizes black winter truffle, rosemary, calendula, and cucumber to soothe, protect, and refresh.

Step 4: Apply a Moisturizer

Gray says to next go in with a moisturizer of your choice—and no, this step should not be skipped. “You should 100% be applying moisturizer before applying makeup. Hydrated skin is a necessity for foundation, concealer, and your base to adhere well to makeup.” You heard the expert: Use moisturizer before applying makeup. The type of moisturizer you use will depend on your skin type. Gray says to use a gel-based, oil-free moisturizer on oily skin and a creamy one on dry skin. The KORRES Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Probiotic Gel-Cream works great for oily skin types with its light and airy formula that contains a blend of prebiotics and probiotics to help balance out your microbiome and soothe stressed-out skin. The FIRST AID BEAUTY Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 is always our recommendation for those with dry skin, because it delivers all-day hydration along with sun protection. One final recommendation for mature skin (and really all skin types) is the PERRICONE MD Vitamin C Ester Photo-Brightening Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30. It contains vitamin C ester, which works overtime to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and minimizes discoloration over time.

Step 5: Add Some Eye Cream

Once your moisturizer has settled, it's time to use some eye cream to even out the under-eye area. Gray says this step is also not to be skipped, otherwise you run the risk of your makeup caking underneath your eyes. Who wants that? Nobody. The GOLDFADEN MD Bright Eyes Dark Circle Radiance Concentrate helps brighten the area and minimize the appearance of fine lines and dark circles before you go in with a concealer. We also like the SATURDAY SKIN Yuzu Vitamin C Bright Eye Cream because it always delivers hydration, smoothness, and brightness thanks to yuzu, niacinamide, and the brand’s Active Vital Complex.

Step 6: Don’t Forget Primer

After all that hard work, you would be remiss not to use a makeup primer. It is essential to lock all your products in place while allowing your makeup to stay put. When it comes to deciding on a primer, Gray says that “there are many different types of primers: smoothing, oil control, brightening, and hydrating. Pick the one that’s best for your skin type.” The ACE BEAUTÉ Hydrating Face Primer is ideal for dry skin because it keeps your skin moisturized all day long. Gray swears by the CATRICE COSMETICS The Mattifier Oil-Control Primer for oily skin because “it prevents shine, helps control any excess oil on your skin, and reduces the look of large pores. Definitely a must to extend your makeup wear throughout the day.” Combination skin will benefit from using the YENSA BEAUTY YENSA Primer due to antioxidants that help boost your glow, minimize pores, and keep flaky skin at bay.

4 Common Skin Prep Mistakes to Avoid

Gray’s biggest makeup tip is to always use a primer. We know we stressed the importance of it already, but we have to do it again. Too often, whether we’re pressed for time or don’t feel we need it, we don’t apply primer to our skin. Doing so will only prevent your makeup from lasting as long as it should. "Your makeup isn’t going to last as long, and also it's not going to look the best it can be,” Gray says on skipping primer. Moral of the story: Always use a primer.

The next mistake to avoid that we’re totally guilty of doing ourselves? Not taking our time. “Be sure to take your time in between skincare steps,” she urges. Wait for the product to fully dry before you go in with the next. This can take a bit of time, but it will be so worth it in the end. As Gray says, “I definitely recommend waiting for skin prep to dry completely before applying makeup. If you don’t, sometimes the products can pill and create unwanted texture.”

Moisturizer is also a big topic within the category of mistakes that can easily be avoided. “Another mistake I see made is over-moisturizing oily skin or putting too heavy a moisturizer on oily skin. This can completely backfire on the skin prep and cause more oil! You cannot weigh down oily skin.” Again, you don’t want to use too heavy of a lotion, but rather something like a gel that may offer a matte finish. The NIP + FAB Vitamin C Fix Hybrid Gel Cream 5% helps keep oil at bay so you’re left with a dewy glow and not a greasy sheen.

Gray’s final mistake to avoid? Not exfoliating skin before makeup. “Sometimes you don’t know what kind of texture the skin has until you put foundation on it, and all of a sudden, you see flakiness. This can completely ruin a base, so always check for texture before you apply your beauty products.” You may not need to exfoliate every time and certainly not every day, as that can lead to over-exfoliation, though a gentle exfoliator before you apply your makeup can do the trick. The AVANT SKINCARE PHA Delicate Resurfacing & Refining Microfoliant is great for all skin types, delicately buffing away dead skin cells, improving skin tone and texture, and drawing water to sensitive skin.

Reminder: Skin Prep Is Essential

Six steps are all it takes to ensure your makeup stays put, lasts longer, and looks its best on your skin. From cleansing and toning to moisturizing and priming, using the right skincare products in your skin prep routine will ensure your beauty products work as intended.

Don’t forget to shop IPSY for your skincare prep essentials, along with more makeup products you may need to complete the look. Maybe a little eye makeup or some lip balm? Oh, and definitely a setting spray. We’ve got you covered, so be sure to shop here!