Ask one million folks their make-up routine, and you will probably get one million solutions. Some begin with lips, others swear by underpainting, and some merely wing it each time. All this to say, each make-up routine is totally different, and the order during which that make-up is utilized is, finally, subjective. However whereas we love the creativity and self-expression that comes with make-up, generally that “do no matter feels best for you” mentality can really feel a bit overwhelming.

That is why we went to the specialists—skilled make-up artists Michele Shakeshaft, Jamie Greenberg, Melissa Murdick, and Tobi Henney—to get their recommendation on the age-old query: Is there a “greatest” utility order for make-up? Although there isn’t any singular proper method to do, effectively, something with regards to make-up, a sample did emerge. Forward, we have rounded up the order most of our professionals and wonder editor associates adhere to with regards to make-up utility. Plus, the MUAs share all their suggestions for locating your excellent routine.

Meet the Knowledgeable

• Michele Shakeshaft is an expert make-up artist and Bobbi Brown Professional Artist.
• Jamie Greenberg is a star make-up artist and founding father of Jamie Make-up.
• Melissa Murdick is a star make-up artist, educator, content material creator, and ColourPop companion.
• Tobi Henney is a star make-up artist based mostly in New York Metropolis.

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Pores and skin Prep

Make-up can solely achieve this a lot; correct pores and skin prep is vital to getting essentially the most out of your make-up. And, like most issues in magnificence, correct pores and skin prep relies on a handful of things—your pores and skin kind, how a lot make-up you are sporting, how lengthy you want your look to final, your targets, and so forth. And it is necessary your pores and skin prep is carried out within the appropriate order, too.

When unsure, we go for a three-step pores and skin prep routine. Begin with a light-weight, hydrating serum, like The Outset’s Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum ($46), to plump and prep the pores and skin with out leaving a heavy end. Observe with a moisturizer that most closely fits your wants—we just like the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Each day Moisturizer ($36.99) for shiny and acne-prone pores and skin sorts, the Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre ($29) for balanced pores and skin sorts, and Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream ($100) for drier pores and skin. Lastly, and most significantly, end with the SPF of your alternative.

Byrdie Tip

When you’re seeking to save money and time in your routine, go for an SPF that works double time. A lot of right now’s greatest sunscreen formulations moonlight as moisturizers and primers, just like the Kosas DreamBeam Sunscreen ($40).

02
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Primer

Consider primer as a long-wearing booster to your make-up routine. It is a chance to focus on your primary complexion considerations earlier than making use of any make-up to your face. With that in thoughts, go for a primer that addresses your specific wants.

When you’re coping with extra redness, strive a color-correcting primer like Make Up Eternally’s Step 1 Primer Redness Corrector ($39). If seen, enlarged pores are of concern, search for a system with pore-filling and blurring properties—we just like the Caliray So Blown Blurring and Hydrating Primer ($36). For oilier pores and skin sorts, mattifying primers are a good way to fight seen shine and lengthen make-up put on; the One/Dimension Safe the Sweat Primer ($34) is broadly beloved for its sweat-proof, oil-resistant system. Briefly, there is a primer for each concern you may consider.

And, if nothing specifically involves thoughts, go for a light-weight hydrating or gripping primer. Our tried-and-true favourite primers embody picks from Too Confronted, NYX, Tatcha, and extra.

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Basis and Concealer

As we have stated, make-up utility order is subjective—and that is very true with regards to complexion merchandise. A lot of our specialists point out the nice concealer-foundation debate (which comes first?), and the reply is not a easy one. “Mess around and uncover what works for you,” Murdick says. “I’m a ‘concealer over basis’ individual, however some folks like to put it beneath basis. It is okay to strive a couple of totally different strategies and see what you favor.”

For Shakeshaft, the reply relies on her evaluation of the pores and skin’s specific wants. “If I see uneven pores and skin tone—redness, blemishes, and the like—my first step shall be to even out the pores and skin with basis,” she explains. “If the under-eye darkness is what stands out, I’ll start by neutralizing the darkness and brightening the under-eye space utilizing [color] corrector and concealer. When the pores and skin is evened out, you create a stupendous, clear canvas, and the colour merchandise will pop, utilizing much less product.”

When it comes to normal make-up utility order, Greenberg says it is closely depending on the kind of make-up you put on. Whereas she usually begins with brows and eyes first, “I discover that with extra ‘pure’ make-up, making use of your base first is a superb possibility because the eyes and brows are minimal.”

The 6 Greatest Basis and Concealer Combos, In response to Byrdie Editors

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Contour and/or Bronzer

Whereas all of our make-up artists have a tendency to use blush afterward, Shakeshaft makes a degree to use bronzer and/or contour at this level, following basis and concealer. (And sure, there’s a distinction between bronzer and contour.) In reality, she goes as far as to contemplate this step a half of the complexion course of: “Bronzer provides heat and dimension to the pores and skin and helps join the floor tone of the face to the physique,” she explains.

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Brows

As soon as you’ve got set your complexion, it is time to fill within the brows. For Henney, doing the brows earlier than the eyes is crucial, because it frames the face and helps create a extra completed look. Whether or not you go for powders, pencils, pens, pomades, gels, or some mixture of the above formulation, brush out the hairs and fill in solely the place wanted to create a mushy, bushy-but-tamed forehead.

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Eyeshadow and Liner

It is necessary to caveat right here that many individuals consider in beginning their make-up routine with eyeshadow, notably if they are going for a smokier, darkish eye. That is based mostly on the premise which you could clear up any fallout earlier than making use of your base. Whereas it is undoubtedly a sound and well-used method, most of our professionals choose to start with complexion and then do their eye appears to be like. “When you find yourself making use of coloration subsequent to a darkish beneath eye, the tendency is [to get] a bit heavy-handed with the attention make-up as a result of it is competing with the darkness,” Shakeshaft explains. “So I have a tendency to use concealer and coloration corrector first.”

As for what, precisely, this step entails, that is once more totally as much as the consumer. For cream shadows, you may usually go proper in with the system, however if you happen to plan on utilizing powder shadows, think about including a primer beneath to assist enhance longevity and discourage creasing. Greenberg suggests searching for eye merchandise that set properly and are straightforward to use, just like the Lime Crime Electrical Slide Eyeshadow and Brush Sticks ($14).

Observe with liner if you happen to so select; we have included each within the step collectively since eyeshadow is commonly used as eyeliner and could also be blended out or labored into the look with eyeshadow brushes.

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Mascara

As soon as you’ve got accomplished your eye look, it is time to go in with mascara. When you plan on curling your lashes, achieve this earlier than making use of mascara to maintain the cheesy system from sticking to the roller and probably pulling out lashes. And be at liberty to the touch up your shadow and liner as wanted after the actual fact; simply make sure that your mascara is absolutely dry.

08
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Blush and Highlighter

Ready to use blush means that you can actually tailor your blush coloration to go with the whole face of make-up. Shakeshaft suggests contemplating the lip coloration you intend on utilizing and pairing your blush throughout the identical coloration household—they do not need to be the identical coloration, however attempt to choose for a similar undertones for a extra cohesive completed look.

“There may be usually the query of whether or not to use blush or highlighter first,”
Shakeshaft says. “Once more, there isn’t a proper or unsuitable reply, however take into accout the product you apply first will normally be extra distinguished. When you like extra glow and wash of coloration, apply the highlighter first and diffuse the blush into the glow. When you like a pop of coloration and a delicate glow, apply the blush after which the highlighter, diffusing the glow into the colour.”

Byrdie Tip

Utilizing a really mild contact, apply a little bit of blush to the middle of your eye, utilizing a fluffy shadow brush and mixing till it is barely noticeable. Don’t fret, it will not learn as pink lids—it will assist convey concord to the face.

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Lips

Lips tend to return towards the top of the make-up routine with one caveat: When you’re going for a daring lip, be at liberty to swap its spot within the lineup with eyeshadow. “I really like ending with the lip, as it may be modified simply and… alter the look dramatically,” says Henney.

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Powder

Whereas oiler pores and skin sorts and people susceptible to creasing ought to set their concealer with powder instantly after utility, it might repay to attend till the top. This lets you use cream and liquid formulation as you would like with out contemplating the powder in any respect. Plus, you may spot-set extra strategically since some areas of the face shall be set naturally by different powders (corresponding to powder blush).

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Setting Spray

“On the finish of the day, the order during which you apply your make-up does not actually matter,” Greenberg dishes. “However I all the time be sure that I am ending off no matter order I do with setting spray and a lippie.” Whereas most setting sprays are merely meant to lengthen the wear and tear of make-up, think about your most popular end and make sure it aligns together with your targets.

The Last Takeaway

As you may inform, there’s actually no cut-and-dry reply with regards to make-up utility. Our specialists agree that the easiest way to seek out your preferrred utility order is thru trial and error—and doing what feels proper to you. Do not be afraid to mess around with totally different merchandise, textures, and orders of utility.