Concealer before, or after foundation? Eyebrows or blush first? Let’s settle it once and for all.
Have you ever wondered if you’re applying your makeup products in the right order? Or maybe you noticed your favorite beauty blogger apply concealer after foundation, and now you’re left wondering if you’ve been doing makeup wrong this whole time?
Don’t worry, you’re definitely not the first, and won’t be the last person to get confused about the correct order of applying makeup products. It is a tricky matter and you’ll notice that even the most popular makeup artists sometimes can’t give one straight answer. So, let’s clear up the confusion once and for all!
Step 1. Prep & Prime
Before anything else, start by cleansing your skin and applying a moisturizer to smooth out the texture of your skin – and follow by a primer right after to build a solid base for the rest of your makeup, and ensure it stays on for longer.
Step 2. Concealer
Although some makeup artists recommend applying concealer after foundation, you want to do it the other way round – especially if you’re using colored concealer so that the colors don’t show through the layer of foundation.
Step 3. Foundation
Foundation, similarly to skincare, is a crucial step toward building a solid base, so applying it before moving on to other parts of your face is a must. That way, you can blend it to your heart’s content and not worry about smudging your blush or eyeshadow.
Step 4. Brows and Eyes
Yes, applying makeup to your eyes (eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara) before contouring is the way to go. It’s possible you may need to have another go at smokey eyes (or two!), and it’s a lot easier to touch up the foundation and work your magic with a blender, than it is to start with contouring all over again. Right?!
Step 5. Bronzer, Highlighter, Blush
Whether you choose to do a full-on contour or just warm up the skin, adding some color back into your complexion when you’re almost done with your look can help create definition with either a bronzer, highlighter, or blush – or all of them.
Step 6. Lips
No makeup look is complete without either lipstick or gloss, but to avoid smudging it or blurring the outline of your lips, it should always be one of the last products you apply.
Step 7. Finishing Powder or Setting Spray
Finally, the last step! Before you head out, use either translucent finishing powder or setting spray to really lock in your look and make it last for hours.
