Step one: Cleanse
For the purpose of this article, let's say you're getting ready at the end of the day for an evening occasion. It may be tempting to reapply makeup over the top of an existing look, but if you have the time, it'll always sit better on freshly cleansed skin. Choose a gentle, conditioning formula such as The Cream Cleanser which will nourish your skin as it gets to work.
Top tip: After your first cleanse, apply a thin layer of The Cream Cleanser over your face and leave on for 10 minutes for a mini nourishing mask before removing.
Step two: Exfoliate
This will be a game-changer for ensuring your base applies as seamlessly as possible, gently buffing away dry flaky patches and resurfacing the skin to smooth uneven texture. Add a couple of drops to a cotton round and pay special attention to areas where makeup tends to cling to, such as the nose, forehead and chin.
Step three: Hydrate
Fresh Rose Pore-Minimising Hydration Mist
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Moisture Essence
'Glass skin' is a term used all over social media, with many striving for flawless, glowing skin. Reminder: flawless doesn't exist. The secret to achieving a plump, radiant complexion? Hydration. And no, this doesn't mean simply drinking gallons of water (although that will help). Boost your skin's hydration levels with a hydrating mist, essence or serum which will help plump out any fine lines and give you a supple, dewy complexion. It will also help prevent your foundation from going patchy during the day.
Step four: Prime
Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50+
Once you've added hydration to the skin, the final step is keeping it there, and that's where moisturisers come in. Looking for a cream that layers well under makeup and doesn't pill? We put The Moisturiser to the test and 91% agreed that it provides a good base for makeup application.* The lightweight yet nourishing, whipped texture and hydration-boosting formula helps prevent water loss and smooths out fine lines and dryness, creating the perfect canvas for foundation. If this is your morning routine, make sure you finish off with sunscreen. A great choice that won't disrupt your makeup is the Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF50 +.
Words by Katie - Team Skin Rocks
Qualifications - BTEC, Beauty Therapy Applied Sciences
*Based on 87 participants after using the product daily for 4 weeks. Independent User Trial 2022.
