What Is The Correct Order To Apply Makeup Products

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If you have landed here I presume you are looking for what is the correct order to apply makeup products. You might be wondering are you applying the makeup in correct order? Let me tell you it is a highly debating topic and lots of arguments are there on what goes first and next. Well, there is no ideal thumb rule for makeup application orders.

However, there are some general practices that we need to follow in order to perfect the makeup look and have a flawless canvas. This article will answer most of the queries like should you apply foundation first or concealers? Should you apply eyeliner or eyeshadow first? Eyeshadow or eyebrows first and so on. So just keep scrolling down to find answers to the correct order to apply makeup products.

What Is The Correct Order To Apply Makeup Products?

1. Prep Your Skin

The first and foremost thing in makeup application order is prepping your skin. Yes, your skin needs to be well hydrated in order for the makeup to appear flawless else you may notice dry patches especially if you have dry skin. Moisturizing your skin is vital be it any skin type. Yes, oily skin requires moisturization too.

If you are stepping out in the sun then the next step would be to wear sunscreen. Depending upon the duration you are exposed in sun you can choose your SPF accordingly. Customarily it is advisable to wear your SPF at least 20 minutes before heading out in sun.

2. Primer

The second step after prepping your skin would be to apply primer. The job of a primer is primarily to make your skin appear seamless and even out the skin tone. Using a primer is totally optional. However, if you plan to use a primer reach out for primer that addresses your skin concerns while smoothening out your skin. If you have dry skin give an attempt to hydrating primer like e.l.f Cosmetics Hydrating Face Primer. For oily skin opt for a mattifying oil-free primer like Lancome La Base Pro Oil-Free Longwear Makeup Primer or L’oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Lock Primer.

For correcting the skin colour try skin colour correcting primer like REVLON Photoready Color Correcting Primer. To minimize pores reach out for pore minimizing primer like Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Pore Minimizing Primer. If you have acne-prone skin look for non-comedogenic primers like L’oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Lock Primer.

3. Foundation

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Often people are confused about in should you apply foundation or concealer first? Well, the answer is foundation goes first followed by concealer. The reason here is the foundation is in the exact shade of your skin tone which evens out the complexion first and then concealer conceals the spots that appear still darker and requires coverage. Also, applying foundation first make certain that concealer does not get wiped off during the blending of the foundation. However, there is one exception if you are using a colour corrector concealer then that goes before foundation to neutralize the colour.

Foundation often oxidizes after some time of application. So it’s quite essential to pick your exact shade. I highly recommend you to read my post on How to choose the right foundation shade for your skin type.

It’s crucial to reach out for foundation as per your skin type. If you have dry skin opt for hydrating or dewy foundation and if you have oily skin opt for the matte foundation to stay put through oil whereas if you have acne-prone skin try a non-comedogenic foundation infused with salicylic acid. Non-comedogenic products are formulated in a way that doesn’t clog pores. Salicylic acid helps to clear acne and prevent future breakouts.

Recommended Foundation For Dry Skin: Maybelline New York Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint

4. Concealer

After foundation, it’s time for concealer in the correct order to apply makeup products. Pick a concealer a shade or two lighter than your skin tone to cover dark circles. Choose a concealer in the same shade as your skin tone to cover blemishes. After choosing the required concealer apply it on all the blemishes, dark spots, undereye dark circles, pigmentation, and acne scars to conceal all the imperfections commendably.

Similar to foundation, concealer should also be chosen as per your skin type. For dry skin types, the concealer should be such that renders hydration. Oily skin types should opt for mattifying concealers to keep the sheen at bay. Acne-prone skin types should look for concealers that are non-acnegenic.

Recommended Concealer For Dry Skin: e.l.f Hydrating Camo Concealer, Covergirl Clean Fresh Hydrating Concealer

Recommended Concealer For Acne-Prone Skin: Dermablend Quick-Fix Full Coverage Concealer, Smashbox Studio Skin Flawless Oil-Free 24 Hour Concealer

5. Powder

Whether you use compact powder or loose powder this is the step to apply powder, right after foundation and concealer.

Note: If your bronzer, blush and highlighter are in the cream or liquid-based formula, use powder after applying these cream or liquid products otherwise your face may appear cakey.

Try: Maybelline New York Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder

6. Bronzer, Blush And Then Highlighter

Now comes the face contouring, the correct order is a bronzer, blush, and then highlighter. They are usually available in powder, cream and liquid formulas. The powder formula although suits almost all skin types but works best for oily skin. The cream formula generally has a hydrating element in it thus making it beneficial for dry skin. Liquid formulas are easier to blend and absorb quickly into the skin. If you choose liquid or cream-based formulas make sure you apply Powder after applying these.

How To Apply Bronzer?

In order to acquire that sultry sculpted face. Dab some bronzer onto your brush. Apply it to your forehead hairline, lower cheekbone, jawline, side of the nose.

How To Apply Blush?

Using your blush applicator pop colour on the apple of your cheeks.

How To Apply Highlighter?

Well, the application of a highlighter absolutely depends on the part of the face you would like to highlight. Generally, it is applied on the bridge of the nose, upper cheekbone, browbone, cupid bow of lips, the centre of the forehead, corner of the eyes for a wide-awake look, and chin. If you covet to create the illusion of fuller lips do not miss out on applying a highlighter on the cupid bow of lips.

Try: Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Highlighter & Bronzer Face Palette Kit, Maybelline New York Fit Me Blush.

7. Eyeshadow

The next step is to add definition to the eyes. Depending upon the makeup look you’re trying to achieve, you can create the eyeshadow look in accordance. Remember, the key to achieving the perfect eyeshadow look is blending and just blending well.

Tip: If you are creating a dramatic or high-intensity eyeshadow look, opt for nude shade lipstick to get the limelight on your eyes.

Try: Morphe 35C Everyday Chic Artistry Palette. This palette features 35 super-wearable shades for any occasion.

Read: How To Create Brown Smokey Eye In Easy Steps

8. Eyeliner

It’s always eyeshadow first and then eyeliner. You can choose the eyeliner as per your expertise in handling it. If you are a beginner you can use pencil eyeliners like L’oreal Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner. Pencil eyeliner is best for creating a captivating smokey eye look with a breeze. There are also gel eyeliner and liquid eyeliner out there on market. Gel eyeliners are long-lasting. Liquid eyeliner delivers impressive outcomes. You can get your hands on liquid eyeliner if you have a little hang on using eyeliners. For liquid eyeliner try Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Wear Long Lasting Liquid Eyeliner and for gel eyeliner, you can try L’Oreal Paris Infallible Lacquer Eyeliner.

Read: The 12 Best Drugstore Liquid Eyeliner That Gives Impeccable Look

Read: How To Create Perfect Winged Eyeliner Every Single Time In 5 Easy Ways

Read: 5 Different Eyeliner Styles To Transform Your Look

9. Mascara And False Lashes

Curl your lashes with the curler and apply a coat or two of mascara. Mascaras has that charm that elevates any eye makeup. To volumize, lengthen and lift curls try Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. If you are exploring drugstore options reach out for Loreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara this mascara offers voluptuous volume and intense length. After applying mascara, this is the step where you would place your false eyelashes however, this step is optional. Smokey eye or dramatic eye look appears best with false eyelashes. False eyelashes proliferate the look of dramatic eyes to another level.

Read: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara Review

10. Eyebrows

I often prefer doing my eyebrows before my eye makeup. However, ideally, eyebrows are done after eyeshadow and mascara to complement the intensity of the eyes and the entire face makeup. There are galore options in eyebrow enhancers from an eyebrow pencil, powder, pomade to gel. If you wish to enhance your eyebrows use eyebrow powder. To shape the eyebrows use an eyebrow pencil. If you would like to add more definition to the eyebrows try eyebrow pomade like Nyx Professional Makeup Tame & Frame Tinted Eyebrow Pomade. To tame your eyebrows in one place you can use an eyebrow gel Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Tinted Volumizing Eyebrow Gel.

11. Lipliner And Lipstick

Lipliner is completely optional. However, if you have thin lips and you like fuller lips do consider outlining your lips first. Also, lipliners smoothen out the uneven areas of the lips. Apply a lip liner that is a close match to the shade of your lipstick.

The lipstick goes on the last in the makeup application order. You can just swipe a tinted lip balm or you can swipe matte, glossy, satin, lustre, or sheer lipstick whichever type you covet.

If your eye makeup is intense and dramatic opt for a nude lipstick like Maybelline New York SuperStay Matte Lipstick in Seductress. If red is your favourite lipstick or you are out for a party try MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo Lipstick or NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Kitten Heels.

The order to apply lipstick: Firstly outline the lips with an outliner coordinating with your lipstick shade, apply lipstick followed by lip gloss.

Read: How To Do The Perfect Ombre Lips – Bold And Beautiful

12. Setting Spray

This step is optional, however for your makeup to stay in place longer spray setting spray on your face avoiding contact with your eyes. Try NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Makeup Setting Spray. This setting spray is available in a matte, dewy, and radiant finish.

Conclusion

So here we end our post on what is the correct order to apply makeup products. Let’s summarize the post quickly. The order of makeup application is Prepping your skin, primer, foundation, concealer, powder (if you are using liquid or cream bronzer, highlighter or blush powder goes after them), bronzer, blush, highlighter, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara and false eyelashes, eyebrows, lipliner and lipstick, setting spray. This was the most commonly agreed-upon makeup application order by most makeup artists. I hope you relished reading this article and find it helpful in your daily makeup routine. I mostly prefer doing my eye makeup before face contouring, this is how I like most of the time. In what order do you apply makeup products? Do let me know in the comments below.

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