The label on the back of your makeup products, the reels you watch and a passing comment by your friends and family may have provided you with some insight on how and when to apply makeup products to get the ever-so-perfect look. But well, the rules seem to be changing every day, if not every hour! And with so many hacks and tips flooding our social media feeds, it's getting harder to simply stand in front of the mirror and apply a mere cream without overthinking the methods, ingredients and so on. But fret not bestie, we’ve here to help you out. Here’s the correct (and updated) order on how to apply makeup products. Ready? Scroll down.
- 01. Prep & Prime
- 02. Colour correcting
- 03. Foundation
- 04. Concealer
- 05. Contour
- 06. Compact/ loose powder
- 07. Eyes
- 08. Bronze, Blush and Highlight
- 09. Lips
- 10. Setting spray
01. Prep & Prime
It’s no secret that good prep leads to good results. So while you might be in a hurry and are already an hour late for your own party – skincare is important. Start off with a gentle cleanser followed by a moisturiser and sunscreen (daytime). Once done, use a primer like the Lakmé Absolute Undercover Gel Primer to create the perfect canvas for your makeup as it conceals imperfections and smoothes out your skin.
02. Colour correcting
Colour correcting plays an important role in creating an even skin tone and conceals imperfections like dark circles, acne scars, pigmentation and other nitpicks you might want to cover. Of course, you’re free to skip this step if you’re doing regular day makeup and not looking for intense coverage.
03. Foundation
Foundation is the base of your makeup. Look for a formula that will further enhance your skin. For example, if you’re going for a dewy look, opt for the Lakmé Absolute Argan Oil Serum Foundation as it’s infused with argan oil that will not only moisturise your skin but also give it a radiant dewy finish. And if you’re looking for matte coverage, the Lakmé 9To5 Primer + Matte Perfect Cover Foundation is the pick for you. It’ll mattify the skin and give you even coverage.
04. Concealer
There have been several tips online wherein they suggest applying concealer before foundation and we don’t recommend that. Why, you ask? Well, because applying concealer before foundation increases the possibility of overapplying product to hide blemishes or dark circles that will, in turn, result in your makeup looking cakey when the foundation is blended on top of that. Use the Lakmé 9to5 Primer + Matte Liquid Concealer to cover any blemishes that are peeking through the foundation.
05. Contour
Contouring helps to sculpt the face by shadowing areas it is applied to, making you look straight out of Keeping Up With Kardashians! Using a cream contour stick is recommended for this step as it blends seamlessly, making it look natural.
06. Compact/ loose powder
Now that your base is all set, it's time to seal the deal before moving on! Use the Lakmé Absolute White Intense Wet and Dry Compact to mattify the face and keep your makeup from budging. ( you can skip this step if you’re looking for a dewy finish).
07. Eyes
Now is the time to really start playing around! It's time to pull out the eyeshadows and liners to create your art. But if you love sticking to the classics, we recommend using the iconic duo of Lakmé Eyeconic Liquid Eyeliner and Lakmé Eyeconic Insta Cool Kajal to create fun looks that are sure to last and not smudge!
08. Bronze, Blush and Highlight
Now it's time to give yourself a sun-kissed glow. You can either use a bronzer to get that perfect sun-kissed look by going over with it on the sides of your forehead, cheekbones, jaw and sides of your nose. Or use a peachy blush like the Lakmé Absolute Face Stylist Blush Duos - Coral Blush and apply it on the apples of your cheeks for a youthful glow. In 2022 we can leave without a wallet but not without a highlighter. So highlight generously on your cheekbones, tip of your nose, forehead, browbones and chin with the Lakmé Absolute Liquid Highlighter.
09. Lips
We’re nearing the end so it’s time to do your lips. Line with a lip liner that’s the closest shade to your lipstick. Our fave is the Lakme Perfect Definition Lipliner. It comes in 8 vibrant shades that offer an intense payoff. Next up, use your favourite lipstick and sweep it across your lips. You can then apply a tad bit of highlighter to your cupid’s bow for a little oomph!
10. Setting spray
It’s important to set your makeup in order for it to stay in place without melting away. Spritz a setting spray to lock your makeup in and look fresh all day long.
Written by Anyuktha Nallani on Mar 28, 2022
As a skincare and makeup hoarder who watched The Devil Wears Prada a hundred times, this seems like the perfect place to be! A writer with a degree in fashion, I love everything beauty, fashion, art, and literature. When I’m not working, you will find me talking about energy cleansing, binge reading books and binge watching Kdramas while trying to select the right shade of lipstick to go grocery shopping!