Huda Beauty customises my perfect pre-makeup beauty routine
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My skin is a true… enigma. One minute it’s looking oilier than a kebab shop drip tray next minute I can barely smile without the tightness taking a toll. A combination skin type to the max. Understandably, it can make long-lasting makeup a bit of a pipe-dream as it’ll cling to drier patches (and if I’m having an eczema flare-up whoa Nelly) and then the oiliness means long-lasting is not a part of my vocabulary. So, when I got a chance to make Huda Kattan my makeup agony aunt, I jumped at the chance, I mean who wouldn’t?
A good cleansing routine is key to long-lasting makeup. I’m not sure anyone will be surprised about this tbh but it’s a good reminder as I can definitely get a little slack, especially with my morning cleanse. Unless you’re a super sensitive skin type, Huda also recommends an exfoliant weekly to slough away any dead skin and even skin tone. “The best way to make your makeup last is by prepping your skin properly; I'm obsessed with using our WISHFUL Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub to remove dry skin and create the ultimate, super smooth canvas for makeup,” suggests Huda. Alongside this, the below routine, tailoring the specific products to your skin type will mean that your skin will be moisturised and prepped for makeup without it sliding off your face as soon as you shut your front door.
What’s the perfect morning pre-makeup skincare?
The lowdown from Huda…
Step 1: Cleanse
“Our new WISHFUL Clean Genie Cleansing Butter melts away makeup and dirt on the skin, leaving it soft and supple! I can go from full glam to fresh-faced in seconds, and it just feels SO good on the skin!”
I got exclusive access to this cleanser and used it every day for over a month for my new and improved routine. It has 2% PHA in the form of glycolic acid and this with the salicylic acid meant it removed excess oils and gently exfoliated but didn’t leave my skin dry at all. Such a win.
Step 2: Exfoliate
“Depending on your skin type, you should exfoliate at least twice a week to help skin cell turn over. Our WISHFUL Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub gently buffs away dead skin cells and brightens the complexion. It evens skin tone and re-texturises and brightens the skin for the ultimate base for seamless makeup.”
So as someone that really messed up their skin barrier by regularly exfoliating with products that are way too harsh for my skin (honestly, trauma) I decided to reintroduce this step every other week. Yo Glow is genuinely a pretty gentle exfoliant for a physical scrub and I just concentrated where I get congestion so around my nose, chin and on my forehead.
Step 3: Tone
“Toner is such a key step, and depending on the type of toner, it can address a ton of different skin concerns. I love to use a toner that hydrates, balances and gently exfoliates.”
This is a step I constantly miss out. Even though I know it’s good for my finicky skin, I gloss over it thinking ‘really how much of a difference can it make?’ Well, a lot actually. I picked the Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Toner a super gentle one that really improved the way serums layered on my skin, which is such a major key for long-lasting makeup. Who knew!
Step 4: Repair
“It’s so important to layer your skincare products correctly to get the most out of their ingredients. In the morning I would recommend following the above steps with a Vitamin C serum to brighten and smooth the skin. Vitamin C is actually at its most effective in the morning because it helps neutralise free radicals caused by UV light and protects skin throughout the day. It’s also said to aid with wound healing!”
This is a step that I actually already did *pats self on back*. Vitamin C has helped me fade hyperpigmentation, aka the bane of my life and even out my skin tone. Two fave I have on rotation are the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum and the Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Serum. I keep consistent with this, and I actually found that if anything I didn’t feel to wear too much of a heavy foundation as my skin was so damn glowy.
Step 5: Moisturise
“Adding moisture to your skin helps it look plumper and fresher! Our WISHFUL Honey Whip Moisturiser works really well on combination skin, it has a lightweight formula packed with natural extracts and potent actives to help firm, lift, moisturise and plump skin. It’s also a perfect base for make-up and won’t leave your skin feeling greasy throughout your daily (and nightly) use!”
In the day, I tend to only use an SPF moisturiser hybrid rather than layering on loads of creams but as I was sticking by Huda’s tips, I reintroduced a separate moisturiser too and *feigns shock* – it really helped. The Honey Whip Moisturiser is super lightweight but also sinks in well so you can apply sunscreen and then your makeup on top without pilling. However, if you use an SPF with the right moisturising agents I do think this is a step I can skip.
Step 6: Protect
“Always protect your skin, whether inside or out in the sunshine; I recommend using a moisturising sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.”
While I don’t think this hinges specifically on long-lasting makeup I do think it’s probably the biggest skincare non-negotiable for healthy skin so I totally get why Huda has popped it as the last step. Healthy skin equals easy makeup application. I’m currently loving the The Inkey List Polygutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen. It’s a dreamy formula which leaves a really smooth base for makeup while obvs protecting you from the rays.
A word on application…
If someone held me hostage and said: “do a full glam makeup look or you’re not leaving this room!” unfortunately that room would now be my abode. I’m in awe of the full coverage looks that creators do on social and even more in awe when they can make it last in front of my eyes at events. I had initially put it down to sorcery, but Huda had other suggestions.
“Less is more; start with a light layer of foundation and build it up to your desired coverage, avoiding the under-eye to and don’t layer too much product in the area,” she advises. “Follow this by concealing the under-eye and any areas you want to touch up. For the most seamless full glam, I always like to finish off application of my cream products with a damp makeup sponge, as it picks up any excess product and helps achieve a very airbrushed finish! I also always set my look with a setting powder and spray!”
Noted. I’ll be ready for my close-up in no time at all.
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