What is the correct order for makeup?

Frequently Asked Questions: How To Apply Makeup Steps

With so many ways to create a BEAUTIFUL makeup look, it’s natural to have some questions. Here, Charlotte gives you the answers to some frequently asked questions about the correct order of makeup application.

Should I do my eyebrows before or after foundation?

Foundation should be one of the first steps in your makeup routine order to give your makeup look a beautiful-looking canvas! Once you’ve applied your colour corrector, apply your foundation, concealer, powder, bronzer and highlighter. Then, you’re ready to create your supermodel brows! If you apply your foundation after your brows, your foundation may be more difficult to blend as you will be trying to avoid your newly-perfected brows!

Should I apply concealer or foundation first?

If you’re wondering, ‘What goes first, concealer or foundation?’ then you’ve come to the right place. Foundation should be applied first to give overall coverage. Depending on the formula you use, you may be left with areas that need some extra coverage and this is where concealer comes in! Concealer will conceal, correct and brighten the look of any areas that are still showing dark circles, blemishes and dark spots for an overall flawless beauty look!

Do you need to use powder after foundation?

Powder is a great way to manage shine and help your makeup last for longer. For this reason, it’s best to apply it after your foundation. For makeup with serious staying power, Charlotte recommends her Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray to lock in your beauty look in seconds!

Should you apply setting spray after foundation?

Charlotte’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is an oil-free and hydrating setting spray that primes your makeup and sets it in place for up to 16 hours*! It can be applied both before and after your foundation, due to the fact it PRIMES and SETS your makeup!

Tilbury Tip: Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray can also be spritzed on your face throughout the day to give your makeup a MAGICAL refresh with a fresh and weightless veil of hydration!

Do you contour before or after foundation?

You should apply your foundation before your contour to create a SEAMLESS canvas for your contour makeup! Charlotte’s guide on how to contour tells you everything you need to know about FLAWLESS contouring for the look of a perfectly sculpted complexion!

3. Color Corrector

Addressing discoloration and blemishes is the last step before applying foundation, and it’s best achieved with a color-correcting concealer, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Color Correcting Crayon. 

The rules of color correcting align with the color wheel and opposite colors cancel each other out. Green neutralizes the appearance of redness caused by blotchiness or blemishes whereas peach, bisque and orange diminish the appearance of dark circles, dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Apply the appropriate color of concealer where needed (sparingly) and use your fingers to blend it in until it’s even.

4. Foundation

Foundation is meant to give your face a flawless base and act as an even canvas for the rest of your makeup. Foundation is not one-size-fits-all, so choose the one that’s best for your skin type. Dry skin might reach for the L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation, which provides medium, buildable coverage and a natural finish, whereas 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.

Editor’s tip: If you’re going for a smoky eye or any type of dramatic and dark eye makeup look, you might want to do your eyeshadow before your foundation to avoid getting shadow fallout on your base. If you still prefer foundation first, bake your under-eyes with a generous helping of translucent powder to catch any fallout and brush it away once you’re finished.

5. Concealer

Concealer follows foundation because when you apply it this way, you need less of it. Concealer is great for brightening up certain areas of your face and adding extra coverage to areas that need it, like blemishes or dark circles. You can also use to contour your face and add dimension. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer up to 24H Full Coverage is a great choice for your makeup routine; it offers full coverage and masks blemishes with a flawless matte finish. 

6. Bronzer, Highlighter and Blush

Bronzer, highlighter and blush are like the cherry on top for your base and really take your makeup to the next level. You don’t need to use all three but the best time to apply them is after you’ve perfected your base and concealer. Applying bronzer like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer (this one works to bronze or contour), is a great way to add some sun-kissed color and depth to your complexion. 

After bronzer comes blush, and it’s a great way to add some flush and vibrancy to your skin. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Blush; it has a long-wearing formula that resists sweat, transfer and smudging. Plus, the soft matte finish is easy to blend, pigmented, and doesn’t emphasize texture. 

Finish everything off by adding some shimmery highlighter to your cheekbones and the high points of your face. If you’re opting for a liquid formula, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer, use the warmth of your fingers to lightly tap it into the skin. If you’re using powder formula, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glow Nude Highlighter Palette, use a fluffy brush to lightly blend it onto the skin.