If you’ve ever wondered what order to put on makeup or whether you should apply your foundation or eyeshadow first, you’re in good company. While there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to apply makeup, completing certain makeup steps before others can help ensure a seamless end result. Moreover, standardizing the order of your makeup application can help take the guesswork out of your daily routine.
It’s true that some orders of makeup application yield better results than others. And in many cases, the timing of your makeup steps depends on the look you’re going for. With that said, there’s a general rule of thumb that works well for most makeup looks. Whether you’re learning how to do makeup for the first time or you’re looking to improve upon your existing routine, read on as we share a step-by-step routine that includes the ideal makeup application order to craft the perfect look every time.
As a general rule, the best order to apply makeup is: base makeup, face makeup, eye makeup, then lip makeup (with some wiggle room on the latter two). We’ll break down each makeup step and explain what order to put makeup on ahead.
Skincare and SPF are the unspoken first step of any solid makeup routine, and they can have a big impact on the wear and finish of your makeup. Like makeup order, a skincare routine is personal, but before applying your makeup for the day you should include a cleanser, a serum (we recommend the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum), moisturizer, and SPF. The L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion is a great choice for daytime; it contains UVA and UVB and blends seamlessly on all skin tones without leaving a white cast.
If you don’t have time for a lengthy morning routine, consider a moisturizer with SPF to prime and protect your skin in a single step. Look for formulations with SPF 30 or greater such as the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30. While it’s great to wear foundation with SPF, that alone does not offer ample protection from UV rays (you would need to apply at least a nickel-sized dollop to get full protection), so it’s best to still wear sunscreen under your foundation with SPF. And, as always, take other sun protection measures—like avoiding direct sunlight and seeking shade when possible—to help keep your skin safe.
A primer should be the next step of makeup application. Makeup primers help extend the wear of your makeup and can improve the appearance of specific skin concerns such as enlarged pores, dullness, or unwanted shine.
After your skincare dries into the skin, apply a thin layer of the L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Pore Minimizer, which helps blur pores and smooth the skin. Other great options that tackle complexion concerns include the Redness Eraser, Dullness Reducer, or Matte Setter from the Prime Lab line.
Addressing discoloration and blemishes is the last priming makeup step before applying foundation, and it’s best achieved with a color-correcting concealer.
The rules of color correcting align with the color wheel: Colors that lay opposite one another on the wheel effectively cancel each other out. Green, for example, can help neutralize the appearance of redness caused by blotchiness or blemishes, while whereas peach, bisque, and orange help soften the appearance of dark circles, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation. Apply the appropriate color of concealer where needed, and use your fingers to blend it in until it’s even.
Consider foundation as an even canvas for the rest of your makeup. The key to finding your perfect foundation is choosing the one that’s best for your skin type. Those with dry skin may prefer a radiant, hydrating formula such as the L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation. On the other hand, those with oily skin may prefer the matte and long-wearing formula of the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder. The type of foundation you choose will dictate how you apply it: liquid foundation works well with a makeup sponge while powder foundation pairs better with a brush. Keep in mind, however, that you typically want to apply makeup in order of texture—liquids should always come before powders. If you’re using a powder foundation and a liquid or cream concealer, you may want to apply your concealer first for a smoother finish.
After foundation, the next proper makeup step would be to add concealer. The reason concealer is applied after foundation is because foundation helps even out your base—and once you apply foundation, you may find that you need less concealer than you originally thought.
Concealer is great for brightening up certain areas of your face and adding extra coverage to areas that may need it, like blemishes or dark circles. You can also use it to contour your face and add dimension. The L’Oréal Paris True Match Radiant Serum Concealer is a great choice for your makeup routine; it offers medium coverage that neutralizes dark circles and visibly depuffs under-eye bags.
Editor’s tip: If you’re going for a smokey eye, or any type of dramatic and dark eye makeup look, your order of makeup may look a bit different. Consider applying your eye makeup first, then cleaning up your undereye area and applying your concealer and foundation afterward. This helps prevent eyeshadow fallout from disrupting your base makeup.
Face makeup—specifically, bronzer, highlighter, and blush—are the next makeup steps you’ll want to follow. You don’t need to use all three, but the best time to apply them is after you’ve perfected your base and concealer. There’s also no “correct” order to apply makeup like blush and bronzer—just make sure the formulas are similar to ensure a smooth, seamless finish.
If you’re using a powder bronzer, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer, it’s best to pair it with a powder blush and highlighter. Liquid and cream bronzers, meanwhile, blend beautifully with liquid and cream products. We also like that liquid products can be applied with your fingers, making it one of the easier makeup steps in your routine. Simply tap a liquid blush, like the L'Oréal Paris Paradise Lumi Le Liquid Blush, onto your cheeks and blend out the pigment with your fingers for a soft wash of color. Then, draw attention to the high points of your face with a cream or liquid highlighter, such as the beloved L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer.
Once you’ve finished your complexion, remove any leftover foundation from your brows and start perfecting your arches. The L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Mechanical Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil can help to shape your brows and create the illusion of thicker, fuller arches. For a less intricate application, opt for the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24HR Brow Lamination, which is applied with a mascara-like wand. The clear gel leaves brows looking full and lifted and stays in place for up to 24 hours without any sticky texture or residue.
Next up in the proper makeup order is eyeshadow, and if you’re looking to really upgrade your look, this is the step to make that happen. The L'Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick is a creamy eyeshadow stick that comes in eight neutral shimmery shades and can be blended with your fingers or a brush. Keep it simple with a neutral shade for the daytime or add a darker hue to your crease and outer corner for a quick-and-easy nighttime smokey eye. Throw it in your makeup bag for re-applying during the day or for when you need to go from day to night.
Next in the proper order of makeup application is eyeliner to help define your eyes. If winged eyeliner is your go-to, try the L’Oréal Paris Grip Precision Felt Waterproof EyelinerThis liquid eyeliner is water- and transfer-proof plus, the precise felt tip is perfect for drawing the sharpest of wings. For the waterline, opt for the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner. This gel formula comes in classic shades, like black, brown, and nude, as well as trendier hues including turquoise and emerald green.
It’s easier to get the perfect winged liner when you apply your eyeliner before your mascara, which is why it’s typically the next step of makeup application. Plus, a few coats of mascara bring the whole eye look together, so think of it as the perfect finishing touch. Curl your lashes and sweep on a few coats of the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Instant Lift Washable Mascara to score voluminous, lifted, and lengthened lashes without clumps. If you’d prefer a waterproof option, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama Waterproof Mascara.
Much like the way mascara brings your eye look together, lipstick or lip gloss brings the whole makeup look together. Start by lining your lips with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner. Then, decide if you want to top it off with a lip balm, lipstick, or lip gloss.
For everyday wear, try the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip Balm-in-Gloss Pomegranate Extract, which adds a sheer wash of color with a non-sticky, glossy finish. If you prefer lipstick, try the classic L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick or the long-wearing L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick.
The final thing you’ll want to do before heading out the door is set your makeup. This makeup step helps seal your look into place so you don’t have to worry about constantly touching up your look throughout the day. Spritz your face four to six times with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist in an “X” and “T” motion. Besides incorporating your products together, setting spray will help keep your makeup looking fresh all day long without settling into fine lines.
Next Up: How To Build a Natural Makeup Routine, Plus 15 Fresh-Faced Looks
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