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7. Prepare Your Skin Before Makeup in just 5 Steps

Makeup is meant to highlight, not hide! A great pre-makeup skincare routine will go a long way in your makeup to make it stay in place longer while making the skin smoother and healthier. Learn from the expert- Arushi Thapar, Senior Brand Manager Plum.

Have you ever noticed little bumps or breakouts appearing on your skin after a few makeup heavy days or weeks? Does your skin sometimes feel irritated when you take off your makeup at the end of the day? Or do you sometimes see you makeup fading or caking mid-way, sooner that you’d wanted? Prepping is the answer.

Trust us, these little steps may take an extra 3 mins out of your morning snooze or coffee time, but they’re well worth it. Read on.

Step 1: A deep cleanse or exfoliation. This is key. If you apply your moisturizer or makeup on uncleansed skin, your chances of acne, or an inflammation or reaction go up. Make sure those pores are cleared out to get them ready to prime! Be careful about experimenting with new or harsh exfoliants on a day you’re applying makeup as chances of reaction are higher. Keep it simple.

Step 2: Nourish it up. Whether you’re a toner, essence or serum type of gal, this is the time to get that extra step in. Makeup can cause excess strain on your skin, so the additional care you give it can only help. Don’t forget to let this settle for 30-60 seconds before you move to the next step.

Step 3: Hydrate – your skin & your lips! This is the step that’ll get your makeup looking natural & smooth and to keep your skin happy too. If you skin is dry, your foundation could start to cake, lines could appear in your concealer and lipstick could start to crack. Unlike night hydrators though, unless you have very dry skin, we’d recommend you go with a light, non-sweaty moisturizer and pair it with a hydrating primer & dewy finish foundation.

Step 4: Sunscreen, please! Unless you’re applying a powder SPF over your makeup, this is the moment to get your skin sun safe. Apply an SPF30 to SPF50 to stay sun protected while you’re out & about during the day!

Step 5: Lastly, make sure you prime. The bridge between skincare & makeup, this step will fill out your pores, even out your skin texture and make sure your foundation or concealer look seamless and stay on for longer.

Here are some pro tips to get that skin prep on point:

- Don’t forget the neck & undereye when you hydrate – these areas can be the most sensitive

- Make sure you pick products that suit your specific skin type, don’t beg, borrow & steal

- Rinse & repeat at the end of the day – plus a makeup remover, minus a sunscreen & primer!

That’s all! You’re ready to go prep that skin like a bonafide pro.