Prep up for a perfect look

Ashima Chhina

For ages we have heard that the door to a woman’s heart is through her eyes! In some Arab countries we have even seen women wear heavy eye makeup. But what is an eye makeup without a smooth or patchy base. Every woman wants to look attractive. In order to achieve an immaculate look, the skin too needs to be taken care of. If there are any bumps or flakes, they become more prominent with makeup which kills the whole look.

Having a perfect skin doesn’t come naturally. For a perfect base to set it is very important to have a skin as smooth as possible. The foundation usually settles in on a smooth surface. Not everyone is blessed with a good skin but we surely have some tips and tricks up our sleeves, some of which have been passed down the generations to us, which can help us in creating a flawless base.

In order to prep your skin here are some steps you must follow to prep your skin before applying makeup:

Cleansing

Always clean your skin with a facial cleanser before applying anything on your face. The surface of the skin has to be squeaky clean so that the products that you use do not block the dirt and grime in your pores which may cause your skin to have more blackheads and eventually breakouts.

Pro tip: Use a cotton pad to check if your skin has any traces of dirt or pollutants left after cleansing.

Toning

No matter how much it may tempt you to skip this step, it is one of the important steps in the long run. The cleanser might end up drying your skin too much because of which using a toner is necessary as it will balance the PH level of your skin.

Pro tip:  Do not use an alcohol based toner.

Moisturising

Internal hydration is equally important as external hydration. Having 8-10 glasses of water will help you get rid of the toxins and will keep you hydrated and over a period of time it shall improve the texture of your skin. Moisturise your skin every time you wash your face. It will keep your skin supple and help you get rid of the dry patches on your skin if any.

Pro tip: Use beauty oils according to your skin type.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation helps you get rid of the dead skin and stubborn grime, oil or dry flakes on your face. Once a week exfoliating with a mild scrub is a must. It is recommended to consult a dermatologist to ask how frequently your skin needs exfoliation. If you exfoliate as per your skin’s requirements you wouldn’t get any blackheads.

Primer

After the basic skin care is taken care of your skin is all set to wear a primer which forms the base that your foundation adheres to. One must go in for a gel-based primer for a combination or an oily skin and a cream based primer for the dry skin. After the primer application your skin is all set to do the rest of the makeup.

Pro tip: Wait for the primer to set before you apply your foundation or concealer otherwise you won’t get a smooth finish. Also, do not forget to remove your makeup thoroughly before going to bed. Use a makeup remover, then wipe your face off with the wet wipes or soft cotton and then follow all the steps given above in order to keep your skin prepped for the next day. 

(Chhina is a Chandigarh-based make-up artist)