Wash your face. Cleaning your skin properly will remove dirt and oil as well as any previous makeup. Make sure to choose a product designed for your skin type:^[1]

• Use cleansing water to reduce redness, as this suds-free cleanser is infused with anti-inflammatory agents that will calm your skin.
• Cleansing balms, packed with emollients, are great for adding moisture to dry skin.
• Pick a cleansing mud for oily skin, as the charcoal and clay will remove excess oil from your pores.
• For combination skin use a cleansing gel that removes oil and still delivers light moisturization.
• Choose a cleansing milk for sensitive skin, as these have less water and more nourishing ingredients.

Exfoliate and tone your skin. Flaky or uneven skin doesn’t make a good base for foundation. Use an exfoliating scrub containing hydroxy acid 2-3 times per week. In addition, use a facial toner daily after cleansing your face to maintain smooth and even skin.

Apply moisturizer. Everyone should apply a moisturizer with an SPF of 15 or higher to their skin before putting on makeup. This will help protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays as well as create a glowing look. If you have dry skin, choose a creamy moisturizer. If you have oily skin, pick a gel-based moisturizer.^[2]

• If you choose a moisturizer without SPF, apply sunscreen with an SPF or 15 or higher after using moisturizerAdd primer. Primer can smooth out the surface of your skin and minimize the look of pores. It also combats shine and helps your makeup stick to your skin so it doesn’t fade throughout the day. You can choose a cream, gel, or powder primer. Apply it with your fingers to work the product into your skinColor-correct your skin. Color-corrector should actually be applied before your foundation. Use color-corrector to cover up dark circles under your eyes or uneven patches of skin. Different color-correctors are suited to different issues:^[4]
  • Pink corrects blue-toned spots on fair skin.
  • Peach targets blue or purple shadows on medium skin.
  • Orangey-pink conceals dark spots on dark skin.
  • Yellow neutralizes purple or dark shadows on olive and tan skin.
  • Green cancels out redness.
  • Lavender camouflages yellow tones.