How to Apply Makeup In Order: Does It Matter?
Being the beauty expert amongst my friends and family, I’m always fielding questions about application or how to use certain items. I find it interesting, though, how often I’m also asked what order to apply makeup in, and if that actually matters? I am a big advocate for the no rules approach when it comes to makeup. Sure, there are ways of application I can recommend (which we’ll get into), but really it’s all about what works for you personally.
I think the biggest debate when it comes to makeup application order is: do you do face makeup before eyes, or eye makeup before your face makeup? Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re trying to order your makeup routine.
Are you using dark eyeshadow?
If you’re using a dark eyeshadow, or eyeshadow that tends to produce fallout (small particles ending up on your cheeks), it can be smart to do your eyes first. This way, you can wipe away any stray color or mistakes without ruining your face makeup. Alternatively, using shadow shields will help catch any rogue eyeshadow from falling.
Are you baking your makeup?
Are you baking your face to set your face makeup in place? Baking is when you pack on translucent powder over your concealer and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes to create a creaseless finish that lasts. Since baking means leaving your face makeup alone for a while, doing your eyes while you bake will maximize time.
Aside from these considerations, you can pretty much do your makeup in whatever order feels right to you. But because I know you’re curious…
The Order I Apply Makeup In:
- Foundation
- Concealer
- Bake with Translucent Powder (rarely)
- Brows
- Eye Primer
- Eyeshadow
- Eyeliner
- Mascara
- Fake Lashes (sometimes)
- Contour
- Blush
- Highlight
- Lipstick
- Setting Powder or Setting Spray
As you can see, I start out with foundation and concealer, move onto the eyes, then come back to finish my face— and I do this regardless of whether I’m baking or not. The reason I do this is because I usually do very blended out eye looks, which would be hard to apply foundation around later without having to go back in and blend the edges out again. Leaving my contour, blush and highlight for the end gives me a little bit of wiggle room if I have to wipe away mistakes, so I’m only reapplying foundation or concealer at the most.
What order do you apply makeup in? Is it different or similar to my routine?
