The Time Difference Between Applying and Setting Your Makeup Matters! Here’s What You Should Do for the Perfect Base

If you struggle with cakey base makeup that separates throughout the day, you need to master time differences in your makeup routine!

Whether you’re applying your makeup in the wrong order or not allowing it to properly set, there are a plethora of reasons why your base makeup isn’t living up to your expectations.

We’ve discovered useful tips on how to time your makeup steps from Uncle Ze, a professional makeup artist on Xiao Hong Shu.

So, keep reading for his expert tips on how to easily achieve the perfect base and learn how to manage the time difference between each and every step in your routine.

Skin Prep

First of all, no base makeup can be truly flawless without proper skin prep!

Many celebrity makeup artists suggest using toner pads on your cheeks and forehead, leaving them on for three to five minutes to let the toner soak into your skin. This helps to hydrate your complexion and reduce dryness for a glowy and smooth base later on.

If you’re prone to dry and flaky skin in areas like your nose, you can use these toner pads to soften the dead skin, and wipe them away with the toner pad afterwards for some gentle exfoliation.

However, make sure to keep an eye on the time instead of rushing through your routine – after all, your makeup won’t stay in place if your skincare is too heavy!

It’s best to use a more lightweight moisturiser in the daytime and allow it to dry fully before you begin your makeup routine. To save time, you can also use tissues to blot excess oil and moisture off your face.

Colour Correction

Next, prepare for your foundation by correcting any blemishes!

This reduces the amount of foundation you’ll have to use later on, as colour corrector will help to counteract more visible blemishes through the use of complementary colours.

If you have sensitive skin that’s prone to redness or reddish acne marks, a green colour corrector will help to minimise the redness of your skin.

Meanwhile, if you have dark acne scars or dark circles, you can use a peach or orange colour corrector to even out your skin tone.

First Foundation Layer

Then, proceed with a thin layer of your foundation to even out your skin tone.

Uncle Ze suggests using a more lightweight foundation as opposed to a longwear foundation for this step, as longwear foundations dry down quickly.

For this particular method of setting your makeup, you’ll want your foundation to stay more dewy and blendable at this point, focusing on thin and natural coverage.

Apply your foundation with either a brush or a spatula to reduce the amount of product used, and blend it out with a sponge to ensure your foundation is applied in an even layer.

Setting the Eyes

For the next step, focus on setting your makeup, but only around the eyes!

You can use an eye primer as a base for your eye makeup, before dusting setting powder over your eyelids and brows. Then, you can apply your eye makeup as usual, including eyeshadow, mascara, and brows.

This creates a smooth base for your eye makeup, helping it to last longer while allowing it to blend seamlessly into the rest of your base.

After your eye makeup is finished, if you notice that your first layer of foundation has begun to separate, go over it with a sponge to blend it out again, ensuring that your makeup is smooth and even when you eventually set it!

Second Foundation Layer

For added coverage, apply another layer of foundation after finishing up your eye makeup! This will hide any fallout or smudging while smoothing your base even further.

Plus, since the first layer of foundation is more dewy, applying powder directly to that layer will result in patchiness and separation due to excess oil.

So, it’s advisable to use a thicker and more matte foundation, in order to control the oiliness of your base.

To keep your makeup light, focus this second layer only in the centre of your face. This has the added benefit of highlighting your face and adding more dimension!

Setting the Face

Lastly, set your base makeup with a thin layer of powder all over your face. For stronger oil control, make sure to carefully press the powder into your base instead of just lightly sweeping it across your complexion.

For particularly oily areas, such as your T-zone, use a powder puff to gather more powder and set your makeup, helping it to last even longer.

Then, proceed with the rest of your makeup and add the finishing touches to your flawless base!

Featured image credits: @泽叔唠妆/Xiaohongshu.