Experts Say This Is the Correct Order You Should Be Applying Your Makeup
Main Image – Dianevilladsen/Stocksy
There are days when you wake up and know exactly what you’re doing. And then there are others when you need a little bit of extra guidance.
This article is for those days. Because life can get quite confusing, particularly when it comes to which order you apply your eye makeup. So it might be useful to refer to a makeup artist’s perspective, so you know you’re getting your application order just right.
Of course, you could guess (and we reckon you’d probably surprise yourself with how accurate you are) but, let’s face it, we makeup addicts like to do everything by the book.
So, here are a few tips, including some from makeup artist and founder of Ruby Hammer Beauty, Ruby Hammer, to tell you which order to categorise your makeup in, just in case you’re feeling a little overwhelmed.
The order you should apply your makeup
Step 1: Eyes
Personally, I usually apply my base first, but Hammer recommends starting with your eye makeup instead. “If you have a strong eye then you should do this first,” she says. “This is in case you create a mess, smudge or fall out and then need to clean around the edge after going as smoky as you like.”
Step 2: Base
Now that your eye makeup is in place, you can lock in your primer and your base. However, try not to disturb your eye makeup when applying under-eye concealer or any foundation under the eyes. If you do though, don’t worry. You can always touch it up again later holding a tissue underneath your eye to avoid any drops of eye makeup falling onto your skin.
Image – MaksimDenisenko/Adobe
Step 3: Cheeks
Hammer says it’s bronzer, then blusher. “I prefer to do a bit of bronzer first as this will go on the high points where the sun hits the forehead or under the chin,” she explains. “Blush is to give radiance to the face so this should be applied after.” The same goes for your highlighter, applied along the tops of your cheekbones, in your cupid’s bow and sometimes down your nose.
Step 4: Brows
Now is a good time to do your brows as all of your face makeup – base, bronzer, blush and highlighter – is now on so cannot disturb the brow area.
Step 5: Lips
“If it’s a strong lip, you will do this last,” Hammer says. Your base will sometimes overlap your lips by accident as you apply it, so you want to be able to cover up any mistakes with your lip colour and make your lips pop as much as possible. It’s up to you whether you apply lip liner, but Hammer advises applying it last for a softer finish.
The takeaway
The order you apply your makeup in is really up to you, but the above system ensures no time is wasted and that no areas of your precious handy work are disturbed.
Hammer says it’s eyes first, lips last, bronzer before blusher. And here’s a bonus tip. If you are undecided on which look you’re going for overall, she suggests starting with your cheeks! “When in doubt, if you start with the cheeks, it sets the tone from the offset on how strong you want the eyes or lips.” Clever huh?
Meet the expert
Ruby Hammer MBE is an award-winning makeup artist with over 30 years of experience. She is the founder of Ruby Hammer Beauty.
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