RUBY REVEALS | THE POWER OF WELL-PREPPED SKIN

The secret to glowing, long-lasting makeup isn’t in the foundation or setting spray - it’s in the skin underneath. Well-prepped, hydrated skin is the ultimate canvas for a good face of makeup.

Why?

Your makeup will sit better, lasts longer, and look more radiant when the skin beneath is clean, hydrated, and nourished. Using the right product can help smooth texture, calm redness, refine pores, and give your base something to grip to without caking or sliding off throughout the day.

Perfect skin is a myth, so we’re not striving for perfection here.. we’re aiming healthy skin - cleansed, hydrated and protected.

How do I nail my skin prep? 

The preparation should take as much time as the makeup, it is by far the most important step. It’s important to note that your skin prep might vary from day to day. Take a moment to look at YOU - we get caught up watching skincare tutorials on other faces, other skin types, but skincare must be tailored to your own needs. Does your skin feel more dry than normal? Are you slightly more oily today than yesterday? There will be days our skin needs a full routine, and others that a light moisturiser might do the trick.

Skin Prep - essentials 

These are the three steps that I won’t start my day without. You wouldn’t dream of leaving the house without brushing your teeth, so don’t forget the skin essentials either.

Cleanse 

Cleanser will remove dirt, makeup, and excess oils that have built up throughout the day/leftover from the night before.

1. Wash your hands.
2. Rubbing the cleanser in the palm of your hands to warm it up.
3. Starting from the bottom of the neck, work your way up and around the face in circular motions, focusing on problem areas such as nose, chin and forehead.
4. Use a hot flannel to remove the cleanser and dirt.

Foaming cleansers tend to be great for oily skin (CeraVe Foaming Cleanser) whereas cream/balm cleansers (Skin Rocks Balm) are good for dry skin. If your skin is more sensitive, look for gentle, fragrance-free options.

Hydrate 

Moisturising is essential for keeping your skin hydrated, and also creates a protective barrier for the skin. The trick is choosing the right formulation:

• Oily Skin: Opt for lightweight, gentle moisturisers.
• Dry Skin: Rich, creamy formulas.
• Sensitive Skin: Fragrance-free, with hypoallergenic ingredients.

Tatcha Dewy is great for during the day, and Skin Diligent at nighttime.

You can also add in a serum for added hydration, they sink straight into the skin and contain more active ingredients than moisturisers (such as Vitamin C, Retinol or Hyaluronic Acid). I often use Vitamin C CeRaVe. Allow time in-between your moisturiser & serum to ensure both products are properly absorbed.

As part of your skincare, layer on a thick layer of lip balm that will leave lips hydrated, making sure to remove prior to applying lipstick. My Lip Serum Balms are great for quick hydration, or an alternative to lipstick. 

Protect 

I’ve said this time and time again, but SPF is for EVERY DAY - not just holiday! No matter how dark and cloudy it may be, your skin still needs protecting from UV. If you wearing makeup over your sunscreen, ensure you let it set for a few minutes before applying foundation. This gives it time to soak in to the skin pre-foundation application. 

Read my guide on how to choose the right SPF for you HERE.

Skin Prep - additional steps

As mentioned before, there might be days you feel your skin needs a little extra boost. Try adding in the below steps as and when you feel they are needed. 

Exfoliate 

Exfoliation buffs away old skin cells, leaving a smoother, brighter complexion. Doing this too frequently can lead to irritation especially for sensitive skin, so stick to exfoliating 1-2 times a week, or as and when needed.

Toner 

Toner is refreshing, revitalising and can help replace moisture in the skin. It’s not a step you would necessarily need to use daily, but can be added in if needed.

Primer 

If you have a long day ahead, or off to an event, you may want to finish your prep with a primer. Primer prepares the skin for foundation, either blurring, smoothing, hydrating or reducing shine for the smoothest application. It acts as a grip, keeping your makeup in place a lot longer. It’s important to find one suited to your needs:

• Oily skin: Look for primers containing silicas and polymers designed to mattify (Tatcha The Silk Canvas Face Protective Powder)
• Mature skin: Look for primers with hydrating and soothing ingredients, avoiding stripping ingredients (Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer)
• Illuminating: Look for primers that provide hydration and contain pearl rather than glitter (Rare Beauty Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer) 
• Hydrating: Maybelline Grippy Primer

REMEMBER 

The difference well-prepped skin can make to the longevity of your makeup is invaluable, but remember, well-prepped skin is not about perfection - it’s about making the most of what you have.