How to prep your skin for makeup

Don’t we all wish that we too looked like the celebrities gracing the billboards and magazine covers? The flawless skin, the twinkling eyes and the lustrous and glossy hair. It’s all absolutely breathtaking and the epitome of beauty. Or so we think. 

Much of what we see is the product of hours spent photoshopping the ‘flaws’ and ‘imperfections’ of those that we consider to be nothing short of absolute perfection. But little do we realize that it’s our real and bare skin that’s actually beautiful, not because it’s free of blemishes, pores and wrinkles, but because it’s what makes us uniquely who we are. 

And once we begin to embrace ourselves just the way we are, the makeup we use goes from something we use to ‘hide’ our imperfections to something that we use to ‘enhance’ our natural beauty. And it all starts with giving your natural skin love, attention and pampering for makeup to be able to do its job. 

So if you’re interested to learn how you can give some love to your skin so that the makeup you apply makes it appear glowing and radiant, keep on reading! 

For makeup to blend seamlessly and stay put for more than just a few hours, skin prep is extremely important. It also ensures that the makeup doesn’t start melting or become smudged as that is something you don’t want. 

The following are a few steps you must follow before putting on any makeup:

• Cleanse and exfoliate

You would think that this goes without saying but so many people don’t follow this. But applying makeup on a face that probably has dirt and sweat on it is an absolute no. It can result in clogged pores, causing blackheads and acne breakouts. The uneven and bumpy skin as a result of these bumps means a less than even makeup application. Therefore, cleansing the face and going in with a gentle exfoliation just before applying your concealer and foundation will not only help to remove impurities but also gently slough off dead skin cells, preparing your skin to become much like a blank and smooth canvas, ready to be painted on. The Leovard Multicleanser makes a perfect product to use for gentle cleansing and exfoliation. It contains oatmeal and papaya extract, along with the goodness of several other natural ingredients. 

• Prep your under eyes 

You must’ve noticed that the first area to crease is the under eye. That’s because the skin around your eyes is extremely thin and fragile and more prone to wrinkling than any other. An eye cream or balm, especially one containing vitamin C, really helps to prep and brighten the area, enabling the concealer to last longer. The Leovard Lip Luster, originally formulated to give you smooth, plump and luscious lips, doubles as an under eye balm. Not only does it contain vitamin C for brightening, it also contains polypeptides, lending the area a youthful appearance.

• Don’t skip toner

This is another step that people often skip as part of their skincare routine, considering it unimportant. However, it’s anything but. Especially when it comes to prepping the skin for a smooth makeup application. It helps to tighten and refine the pores, helping to give the skin a smooth and even texture. If you’re looking for one that also helps to calm the skin and lend it a blissful feel, try out the Leovard Tonic.

• Apply a face serum 

For a makeup application that looks glowing and dewy, hydration is key. And a serum can help you achieve that. Look for something that has moisturizing and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and vitamin E, like the Leovard Serum to really give a boost to your skin’s suppleness, helping to plump it up. 

• Moisturize the skin

Didn’t I just say that hydration is key to a flawless makeup application? Next, go in with a lightweight moisturizer to really lock in all the moisture. This will ensure that the foundation and concealer stays put without cracking, giving you a flawless base to apply a rosy blush and highlighter. The Leovard Multicream is a great pick!

• Don’t forget the lips 

Nothing’s worse than chapped lips which make for an extremely poor and botched lipstick application. Gently scrub off any dead skin from the lips and apply and hydrating lip balm a few minutes before applying your favorite lip color. If you want a subtle plump, the Leovard Lip Luster makes a great choice!

• Setting spray 

Once you’re done with your makeup, spritz on some setting spray to prevent the makeup from smudging and smearing. 

Now you’re ready to head out the door! 

Takeaway 

Makeup to enhance your beauty is so much more than just applying a few products. Instead, it’s actually the skin prep before the makeup application that really makes or breaks your look. So don’t slack on that and follow the steps mentioned above to really rock your look!