Want Flawless Makeup? Prep Skin First!

The best way to achieve a natural, flawless look with makeup is to start with healthy-looking skin. Properly preparing skin is a sure way to achieve a radiant, even finish so everyone will notice your clients beautiful skin, not your makeup, says BENEV. Follow these simple tips before applying your clients' makeup to achieve the look she wants.

  1. Help your client choose an appropriate, pH-balanced cleanser and be sure she rinses it thoroughly to enhance the longevity of makeup. If the cleanser is not pH-balanced, skin may still be chemically changing to its normal pH level when skin care products or makeup are applied, and this can cause makeup to wear off faster and skin to become irritated or experience a breakout. Make sure your client rinses thoroughly because any slight cleanser residue left behind will emulsify makeup. If makeup either disappears or cakes up on the skin, and she is rinsing thoroughly, then the cleanser is probably not right for your client, and you should consult with your client to choose a different one.
  2. Remove dulling dead skin cells with light hydroxy acid exfoliators (salicylic and glycolic acid). This will provide a smoother and softer appearance of foundation. A buildup of dead skin cells will give your makeup a cakey, thick look, lending to a look of thick, textured skin.
  3. Masking is beneficial for specific skin conditions to improve the coverage and longevity of makeup. Cover-up is often unnecessary for skin that has been recently masked. Oily skin tends to look shiny about two hours after makeup application, and people will often apply a lot of powder to correct this, which can cause closed comedones (blackheads) and acne breakouts. A better option is to use an absorbent mask with ingredients such as sulfur, tea tree oil and hyaluronic acid to balance surface oils and moisture levels before applying makeup. A nutritious conditioning mask is best for dry/dehydrated and/or sensitive skin to minimize dry fine lines, reduce redness, hydrate for a supple appearance, and even out skin tone.
  4. Hydrating the skin can help your client achieve a softer and smoother application of makeup by plumping up the surface of the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a good choice for all skin types and conditions, as it is a substance found naturally in skin cells.
  5. The ingredient acetyl hexapeptide-8 is a must-have for a smooth makeup application. Used for tightening, it has been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps prevent new lines from forming by inhibiting muscle contractions.
  6. Use one of the best-kept secrets in the professional makeup industry: silicone. Silicone spray or gel, applied before foundation, works for all skin types. Silicone “fills in” creases and crevices so foundation and powder will not seep in and make them more obvious. Silicone also acts like a physical barrier, keeping moisturizer and your skin’s oils from mixing with makeup.
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