How to Prepare Skin for Foundation

So, you reckon you’ve mastered the whole makeup application thing? Figured out how to perfectly blend your foundation, concealer and bronzer? And not to mention the eye shadow? Even when you’ve got the elusive smokey eye down pat, you might not have mastered your routine just yet. With all the focus on what’s on the top of your skin, you may be forgetting about your skin itself and the canvas that sits beneath your perfectly blended makeup. If you haven’t focused on a proper base for all your beautiful makeup, you may not be getting the best out of it. While blended, the texture of your foundation may be uneven, or you may find your perfectly applied base may not last as long as you want without proper preparation. The good news? Prepping your skin for foundation, the proper way, is actually pretty easy! Follow these five simple steps and your complexion will be good to go for hours on end.

Start with clean skin

The very first step in your routine before putting on your perfect face should always be cleaning your skin with a gentle facial cleanser. Removing all the dirt, oil and impurities from your skin before you start applying your makeup is a crucial step. We suggest a gentle cleanser that will refresh your skin without stripping it of its natural oils. Wash dirt away easily with a simple cleanser, like the Revitalift Milky Cleansing Foam that gently foams to leave skin refreshed, cleansed, and comfortable. For a boost of pre-beauty hydration, opt for the Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser, formulated with hyaluronic acid for smoother, plumper skin.

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Splash on some toner

Post-cleanse you should always be reaching for a toner. This can help remove any remaining impurities from your skin that might be left over, even after a deep cleanse. The Age Perfect Classic Face Toner is enriched with magnesium and vitamin C to gently brighten the appearance of dull skin and even skin tone. The delicate formula will help your skin feel refreshed and revitalised pre-makeup. Saturate a cotton pad then rub it gently over your face and wait until it has almost completely dried before you move onto the next step. Easy as. 

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Boost your hydration

Once we’ve cleaned all that excess dirt and grime away from your skin, it’s time to get your hydration on with either a serum or a moisturiser. No matter your skin type, this step is a non-negotiable. Hydrating your skin is crucial to getting a perfectly even base for your makeup. Not sure which product is for you? Never fear, we’ll take you through some of our favourites.

Want to plump your skin and fight visible lines and signs of ageing while also getting an intense moisture kick? We’ve got just the thing. The Revitalift Filler 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum is highly concentrated with Hyaluronic Acid which infuses the skin with hydration while re-plumping the skin.

Want something a little more nourishing? Then the Revitalift Filler Hyaluronic Acid Day Cream might be the one for you. This nourishing hydrating formula is designed to boost radiance and smooth the skin.

Prefer something a little lighter? Maybe you’re not a fan of rich moisturisers and that’s okay! Get the benefits of firmer skin and less visible wrinkles without the heavy texture thanks to the Revitalift Classic Light Day Cream. The lightweight texture absorbs quickly, leaving you feeling refreshed and without any sticky or greasy residue.

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Prime your pout

Planning on putting a coat of lipstick on when you head out? Ensure you get the best finish (you know no flaky or dry bits) by prepping your lips before you put on your colour! Pucker up with a gentle lip scrub that will help lift the dead pieces of skin away and reveal soft supple lips, primed for a beautiful coat of colour. Our favourite? The Sugar Scrubs Glow Face Scrub can be used as a lip scrub as well. The 3 fine sugars and cocoa butter nourish as they gently exfoliate. After you’ve scrubbed, apply a lip liner (in a similar colour) to avoid bleeding of colour around the lips.  

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Smooth on primer

This oft-overlooked part of prepping your skin should be the last phase of readying your face—and it’s possibly the most important. Primer can help create a smooth base for your makeup application as well as help extend the wear of your foundation, concealer, and more. Find your primer match below.

If you have oily skin…use the

If you have dry skin…try the Infallible Magic Essence Drops. The formula is perfect for dry, dull and tired looking skin. Simply squeeze a few drops into your hands and rub over your face, adding a little extra to those drier areas. With a radiant finish and a liquid formula, this one’s perfect for you dry skin babes.

If your skin has uneven texture…don’t stress just get the Nude Magique Base Magique Primer. This silky-smooth cream formula easily glides over uneven skin and instantly smooths pores and transforms the skin. Not only does the lightweight formula minimise the look of pores and fine lines but it also creates a perfectly smooth surface, primed for your favourite foundation.

If you have mature skin…pick up the Prime Lab Pore Minimiser. Sometimes mature skin can appear slightly dull. This formula instantly gives you a super glowy radiant look, perfect for combatting dry, dull skin. The ultra-lightweight formula means it’s easy to apply and lets skin breathe once it’s on. In fact, the finish is so pretty you can even wear this primer alone!

After primer, you’re officially prepped for makeup application! As far as your makeup look goes, your options are essentially endless. From long-lasting to nourishing, there’s a foundation tailor made for you. And afterwards, always remember to use setting spray for a completely flawless complexion that will last you hours upon hours. Pair your perfect base with perfect brows, with our expert guide that spells out How To Get Perfect Full Eyebrows.

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{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "subjectOf": { "@type": "ItemList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type":"ListItem", "position": 1, "url" : "https://www.lorealparis.com.au/skin-care-hub", "item":{ "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type":"WebPage" }, "headline":"Skin Care Hub", "image":{ "@type":"ImageObject", "url":"https://www.lorealparis.com.au/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/au/articles/local-articles/skin-care-hub/skin-care-hub-banner-v2.jpg?rev=4b51c317b74141c390a2b5791b02d3da", "height":900, "width":2000 }, "datePublished": "2020-12-03T00:12:00+00:00", "dateModified": "2024-04-28T12:50:40+00:00", "author": { "@type": "Brand", "name": "L'Oréal Paris" }, "publisher":{ "@type":"Organization", "name":"L'Oréal Paris", "logo":{ "@type":"ImageObject", "url":"https://www.lorealparis.com.au/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/shared/baseline/navigationext/loreal-paris-black-logo.svg?rev=a43411e171da48ef888a91b0e2ef7b7c", "width":189, "height":60 } }, "description":"<p style="font-size:22px;"><strong>Care about your skincare? So do we.</strong></p><br /> At L’Oréal Paris we create advanced, effective <a href="https://www.lorealparis.com.au/skin-care"><span style="color: #E32847;">skincare</a></span><span style="color: #000000;"> – for all skin types and concerns. From our tolerance-testing to our independent clinical trials, you can be safe in the knowledge we are committed to the safest skincare that really works.<br /> <br /> Our latest obsession: glowing, dewy, youthful skin. The key to your best skin yet? A dedicated skincare routine carefully tailored to your skin type and concerns. With skincare products for <a href="https://www.lorealparis.com.au/face-care/anti-ageing">anti-ageing</a></span><span style="color: #000000;">, brightening, and more, the L’Oréal Paris range is designed to replump and reinvigorate any complexion at any age. 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Learn more about the <a href="https://www.lorealparis.com.au/retinol"><span style="color: #E32847;">benefits of hyaluronic acid</a></span><span style="color: #000000;"> and <a href="https://www.lorealparis.com.au/hyaluronic-acid"><span style="color: #E32847;">how retinol targets signs of ageing</a></span><span style="color: #000000;"> from our experts. Whether you are building the ultimate anti-ageing skincare routine, mastering hydration basics, or finding the perfect facial serum, our <a href="https://www.lorealparis.com.au/beauty-magazine/skin-care"><span style="color: #E32847;">Beauty Magazine</a></span><span style="color: #000000;"> has the answers for you. Discover our expert tips and tricks, and our range of day moisturisers, night creams, cleansers, facial serums, face masks, and more." } }, { "@type":"ListItem", "position": 2, "url" : "https://www.lorealparis.com.au/hyaluronic-acid-skin-benefits", "item":{ "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type":"WebPage" }, "headline":"Hyaluronic Acid Skin Benefits", "image":{ "@type":"ImageObject", "url":"https://www.lorealparis.com.au/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/au/articles/skin-care/contextualized/a-serum-to-suit-my-skin-hero.jpg?rev=76513282ec344e0dbf39335a0e5b779e", "height":900, "width":2000 }, "datePublished": "2020-06-22T08:00:00+00:00", "dateModified": "2023-12-05T06:43:21+00:00", "author": { "@type": "Brand", "name": "L'Oréal Paris" }, "publisher":{ "@type":"Organization", "name":"L'Oréal Paris", "logo":{ "@type":"ImageObject", "url":"https://www.lorealparis.com.au/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/shared/baseline/navigationext/loreal-paris-black-logo.svg?rev=a43411e171da48ef888a91b0e2ef7b7c", "width":189, "height":60 } }, "description":"<p>Uncover the secret behind youthful skin and discover how to maintain fresh and youthful skin at any age. 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Read on to get the lowdown on what retinol and other retinoids do, and how you can incorporate these effective <u><a href="https://www.lorealparis.com.au/face-care/anti-ageing" target=_self>anti-ageing ingredients</a></u> into your <u><a href="https://www.lorealparis.com.au/skin-care" target=_self>skin care routine</a></u>." } }, { "@type":"ListItem", "position": 5, "url" : "https://www.lorealparis.com.au/skin-care-routine-all-skin-types", "item":{ "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type":"WebPage" }, "headline":"Skin Care Routine All Skin Types", "image":{ "@type":"ImageObject", "url":"https://www.lorealparis.com.au/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/apac/au/articles/skin-care/humanity/what-is-your-phototype-article.jpg?rev=f4f5381bc39a44bbb4cfc87f31f11b08", "height":900, "width":2000 }, "datePublished": "2020-11-19T23:36:00+00:00", "dateModified": "2024-04-02T20:24:40+00:00", "author": { "@type": "Brand", "name": "L'Oréal Paris" }, "publisher":{ "@type":"Organization", "name":"L'Oréal Paris", "logo":{ "@type":"ImageObject", "url":"https://www.lorealparis.com.au/-/media/project/loreal/brand-sites/oap/shared/baseline/navigationext/loreal-paris-black-logo.svg?rev=a43411e171da48ef888a91b0e2ef7b7c", "width":189, "height":60 } }, "description":"Curating an effective and streamlined <a href="https://www.lorealparis.com.au/skin-care" target=_blank>skincare</a> routine, that you are realistically going to use, can be challenging. 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