Most of us use trial and error to figure out the sequence for applying makeup and skincare products. Along the way we suffer makeup mishaps such as racoon eyes. We had a sneaking suspicion we weren’t get maximum effect out of some very pricey skincare products. Beauty experts tell us our sequence does not have to be perfect but does need attention to detail. Starting with a clean face is an absolute. Letting products dry maximizes effect. Excellent blending is more critical to a finished look than the order of applying makeup.
Here’s a sequence of application that will make sense of the array of products crowding your bathroom shelf. If you don’t use some of these, don’t worry. Just skip and go down the list to your next favorite.
Skincare Application Order
A clean face is the perfect canvas for any makeup that follows. Don’t even think about makeup until you’ve cleansed, moisturized and protected your skin. Leave enough time to let each product dry before you apply another.
Waking hours treatment is as different from bedtime routines as day and night. Substitute a night cream for sunscreen at night and you’ll get intensive moisturizing. One rule of thumb is to apply lightweight formulas before heavier creams for maximum penetration of ingredients.
- Cleanser
- Treatment mask
- Toner
- Acne spot treatment
- Anti-aging serum
- Eye cream
- Moisturizer
- Facial Oil
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm with SPF
Makeup Application Order
Put foundation on before your mascara, blink and you end up with raccoon eyes. You’ll have to re-apply not just mascara but also foundation and under-eye concealer. That’s a big pain in the neck. The same goes for applying eye shadow before foundation. Follow this order of makeup application and eye shadow stays on your lids instead of winding up on your cheekbones. You can avoid wasting time and makeup.
You swear by one method and your best friend defends another, but here’s a surprise. Blending is more important in the end than following an exact order.
- Primer
- Eye shadow primer
- Eye shadow
- Eyeliner
- Mascara
- Brow pencil
- Foundation
- Color corrector
- Concealer
- Contour
- Bronzer
- Blush
- Highlighter
- Setting powder
- Lip liner
- Lipstick
- Lip gloss
- Setting spray
