August 17, 2015

What Order Do You Apply Makeup?

makeup application order

Do you have a makeup order ritual? What order do you apply your makeup? Any special way you have of doing your makeup application?

Do share your methods!

Typically my makeup order (not including skincare) begins with face primer! I really like Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer as it has a nice creamy consistency and happens to be a silicone primer but doesn’t feel like one at all! Seriously, if you aren’t priming you’re missing out on making your makeup look amazing. I following up by concealing under my eyes with Em the Great Cover Up and on my lids I apply Benefit Lemon Aid.

Since it’s Summer and quite hot out my go to base product is Josie Maran’s Protect and Perfect. This provides a sheer coverage that’s weightless and lightly hydrating.

Now I’m ready for my color cosmetics. Typically I apply my eyeshadow primer follows by eyeshadow and mascara and last I add blush to my cheeks! Lipstick and gloss is always my last item to apply.

Done!

What’s your makeup order?

Do share!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  • Renu

    Eyeshadow (over eye primer and concealer) first, since I’m messy and can clean my cheeks later. Then face primer, foundie, lippie, eyeliner, mascara and so on.

  • Denise

    My order is exactly the same as yours, with the addition of doing my brows right before moving on to eyeshadows.

    • yelena

      me too!!! I have the same order as muse, but I think my brows come first before anything else 🙂

  • Katie Lemons

    Sometimes, I use a serum as a primer. Other times, I use Revlon’s Photoready primer or Monistat Anti-Chafing gel as a silicone-based primer. Next is foundation, concealer, brows, and setting powder. If I’m planning on wearing eye makeup, then eye primer, eyeshadow, and mascara are next. Otherwise, I move onto bronzer, blush, and highlight. I also like to use NYX’s Pore Filler primer after I put on my foundation. It’s a perfect dupe for the Porefessional and hides my pores so well as a finishing step.

  • Heather

    Serum, eye cream, moisturizer with SPF, eye shadow primer, face primer, eye brow pencil, eye shadow, foundation, bronzer, blush, loose powder, hi-lighter powder, face mist, eye liner, mascara, lip gloss. Whoa – kinda intense, but I love the process!

  • devon

    i always start with eyebrows–tweezing if necessary and lightly filling in with IT universal brow pencil, then UD shadow primer and Rimmel face primer, then whatever shadow i want that day, followed by IT bye bye undereye w/my favorite elf flawless concealer brush, then toofaced born this way foundation lightly through the t-zone with real techniques multitasker brush, tarte waterproof bronzer with some huge brush by ecotools, and then mascara of choice..lots. and lastly the lippie!

  • Jessica

    I always start with skincare: cleanser, toner, serum, lotion
    Next is my face: primer, foundation, bronzer, blush, highlighter
    Then I move to my eyes: eyebrows, eyeshadow, mascara
    Last is Lips!

    When I list it that way it doesn’t seem like much but when I am doing it it seems like there are 1000 steps to complete my process! 🙂

  • Joyce

    Hmm… it depends, but I suppose it’s usually like this:

    – Hard Candy 12-Hour Primer, e.l.f. Eyelid Primer
    – Hard Candy Glamouflage Foundation or Truth Girl Mineral Foundation or Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue
    – Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone
    – N.Y.C. Loose Translucent Powder or Truth Girl Bridal Veil or Shiseido Translucent Powder
    – N.Y.C. Bronzer in Sunny
    – Tarte Exposed or TheBalm Hot Mama or Bobbi Brown Nectar
    – Eyeshadow… whatever I’m doing that day (Urban Decay Naked 1 usually)
    – Eyeliner (usually Tarte SmolderEyes in Espresso)
    – Curl lashes (Shiseido), Mascara (CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Waterproof)
    – Lips… usually Revlon Peach Parfait lip butter with Revlon Snow Pink lipgloss on top

    So generally Face > Cheeks > Eyes > Lips. It sounds like a lot, but I promise it goes by quite quickly! 😛 And of course, if the eye makeup will be darker, I’ll do that first!

  • Jen R

    Start by washing my face in the shower, then:

    Oil-absorbing toner, Benefit Puff Off on days when I haven’t gotten enough sleep, Hourglass Veil Mineral primer, UD eyeshadow primer, Becca mattifying gel on t-zone, BB cream or tinted moisturizer, concealer, loose powder, blush (and highlighter, if using), eye shadow, eye liner, another quick dusting of loose powder, clean my eyebrows with leftover toner on cotton pad, blow dry my bangs, mascara (I have hooded lids so it smears ALL OVER if I do it before blow drying!), eye shadow touch up on brow bones, eyebrow gel, lip balm with SPF for my commute (wait to put on lipstick/gloss until I get to the office).

    I try not to think too much about the fact that I use 20+ products every morning!!

  • Sammy

    I always start with building the foundation: Tinted moisturizer and concealer. Then I start adding the color: Cream/gel blush and lipstick. Then I know how much eyeshadow to add from there. Mascara is the last thing I put on.

  • mirandagrosvenor

    My mom never wore anything but foundation and lipstick, so I learned from an article that was in Seventeen magazine a bazillion years ago. I still do it this way:
    moisturizer
    eye primer
    concealer
    foundation
    powder
    eyeshadow
    eyeliner
    blush
    lipstick or lipgloss
    mascara last, so I don’t have to worry about it drying while I do something else.

  • Sandra

    I go along the usual that you would expect except for one thing. I put mascara on BEFORE I do my eyeshadow. Somehow I always get it on my eyelid and this way I get to clean it up before adding colour instead of messing up my look. It works for me.

  • cecilia

    I do eyeshadow and all of that stuff first, then under eye concealer+spots, then rest of face. I tend to make a mess one way or another when I do my eyes so no point doing anything else first since I’ll just ruin it anyway 😛

  • JulieS

    Well, it goes something like this: on my forgetful days, most of the time, shower, spf/moisturizer, if my skin is having a hard time, treatments (acne, spots, crepiness), foundation. Concealer if needed. Eye colorshadow, black eyeliner if shadow is bright, mascara, brows. Lipgloss/balm.
    If I thought about it before, I’ll go all out, and after my treatments, I will prime, foundation, conceal, contour and highlight everything including my eyes. Then eyebrows. I will then go to color, blush first, eyeshadow primer, eyeshadow base, powder eyeshadow, gel or liquid eyeliner if I’m wearing any. A coat of mascara, lashes, and then lipliner and lipstick. For business purposes, I replace any shimmer, glitter, shine, or frost with matte, as well as matte highlighter. Lord help me if it’s over 105 degrees!

  • Gloria Lassich

    I like to start w/my eye makeup, then I go on to my base makeup. That way, if there’s any fall out I don’t need to worry about it ruining my foundation. 🙂

  • Rachel R.

    Primer, eye primer, foundation, powder, contour, blush and/or bronzer, highlighter, eye shadow, eyeliner, setting spray (so my mascara doesn’t run), first coat of mascara, lip liner, lip color, and finally the second coat of mascara.

    If I’m dealing with eyeshadows that I know will have a lot of fallout, or will stain (like some of the shadows from UD Electric Palette), I’ll apply powder under my eyes first. Then I’ll do the eyeshadow, then dust off fallout with the powder. Then I proceed as usual.

  • Katie

    I go-
    Moisturizer
    face primer
    eye primer
    foundation
    concealer
    powder to set concealer
    powder to set face
    eyeshadow
    eyeliner
    bronzer
    blush
    highlight
    setting spray
    mascara
    lipgloss

    First of all,that is a ridiculous amount of steps when you list it out. Secondly, I have no idea why I do it in that order, and thirdly, it gives me major anxiety to think about switching that order for some reason.

  • SusanT

    What a fun question, I got a kick out of reading the other ladies’ lists. After tending to Queen Daisy with her kitty treats & loving session, this is my order:

    wash face & use lip scrub in shower, moisturizer (La Mer), foundation (Lancome Teint Naturale(sp?)), concealer (Cle de Peau) under eyes, down center of nose and any spots, cream eyeshadow (MAC) in Painterly (as eyeshadow base), Bobbi Brown yellow face powder, lip balm (grapefruit Badger Balm), contouring powder (MAC), another layer of cream eyeshadow (MAC) in Painterly as eyeshadow base, eyeshadow (usually Urban Decay) to lids), liquid eyeliner to upper eyelids (usually NYX, MAC fluidline or Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner), eyeshadow (Urban Decay) smudged on lower lashline with kohl eyeliner (L’Oreal), smudge & touch up eyeliner all over eye, apply eyebrow powder (Anastasia) in Caramel with Smashbox eyebrow brush, apply mascara (Estee Lauder), apply blush (almost always Chanel), lip liner (MAC), topped off with lipstick (favorites include Laura Mercier, Chanel, MAC, Christian Dior). I know I left something out, but this is it for right now.

  • Kim

    Wow!!! You ladies know how to do it!
    The difference with me is while my PurMinerals serum is soaking in my skin, I apply 2 coats of mascara, then Dr. Brant pore refining primer, PurMinerals foundation & powder, then brow mascara, lipstick, then doll up my eyes & put on blush!

  • kellly

    Moisturizers as soon as I’m out of the shower. Undereye primer, concealer, blush, highlighter, shadow primer, eye shadow, and half a ton of mascara (I don’t use eyeliner – I like the no-liner look). Lipstick. I’m done.
    I’ve given up using powder (it cakes too easily) and liner (I like looking different from everybody else). It’s made my routine easier and I like the finished but natural look.

  • zVintageFasionizta

    -Cream shadow (over the primer), Eyeshadow, mascara (clean up the fallout & apply moisturizer to the rest of my face)
    -Primer, concealer, foundation, Contour (often optional), Bronzer, Blush, Eyebrows
    -banana powder under the eyes, finishing powder, Mac Fix+
    -lipliner, lipstick and glos

    I agree with Katie this is a lot of work, that is why I do not wear makeup everyday.

  • Ardis

    Fun question as another commenter said.
    My order usually goes:
    -concealer
    -blush
    -eye shadow or mascara (or vice versa)
    -eyeliner
    -lipstick and/or lip gloss

  • Jeanine McAuliffe

    True story..I was just thinking about this last night..wondering what order other ladies put there makeup on..I was wondering if everyone else did brows first?!? after primer’s of course. I quit eye primers because it truly makes it harder for me to blend and I SECOND THE PHOTOREADY PRIMER!! I use the color corrector one and just adore it..takes my red away!

  • Krystle

    First, eye primer, followed by eyebrow pencil, eyeshadow, and eyeliner. After the eyes are mostly done, I apply a face primer and let it soak in while I wet my beauty blender and mix my foundation. Once my primer is set, I apply my foundation and undereye concealer, then set everything with a translucent powder. Then, if I remember, I’ll apply mascara and blush. My lip color usually comes with me wherever I’m going.

  • Pamela

    Oh my God. I thought I did too much but I see I’m not the only one. When I look at what is on my counter before I wash my face, I’m always daunted. I think very carefully, DO I REALLY WANT TO GO ANY PLACE?

    Holy Moly, there are far too many steps now. When I was in my twenties, it was Wash face with Redken soap (no longer made) put on some Pond’s Cream. Cover Girl foundation. A tiny bit of brown shadow in the crease and some lip gloss and I was good to go!

    Dang it! Being older now is not fun. Especially when you have to take it all with you to go out of town.

  • Sun

    For the day:

    Sunscreen (which also acts as my primer)
    Foundation
    Undereye brightener and concealer
    Setting powder specifically for under the eyes
    Setting powder for the rest of the face
    Contour and highlight
    Brows
    Eyeshadow primer
    Eyeshadow
    Eyeliner
    Mascara
    Blush
    Lipliner
    Lipstick
    Lipgloss (if using)

    Same order for evening makeup, just no sunscreen.

  • MythKitty

    I put so many products on my face that, once in a while, I’ll actually forget a step! :-/

    – Primer
    – Concealer
    – Under-eye primer
    – Foundation
    – Cream contour & highlight (sometimes a cream blush)
    – Light use of setting powder over cream products
    – Brows
    – Eyeshadow primer
    – Eyeshadow & liner
    – Under-eye concealer
    – Powder contour/highlight/blush
    – Setting powder
    – Setting spray
    – Mascara
    – Lip liner & lipstick

    Whew! I think that covers it… LOL

  • Monica

    Prime: MAC Prep & Prime
    Foundation: MAC Studio Tech or Studio Fix Fluid (using Real Techniques brushes)
    Contour:L’oreal True Match Concealer Crayon or Revlon Photoready Foundation
    Highlight;: MAC Pro Longwear Concealer or Maybelline Better Skin Concealer
    Blend with damp Real Techniques Sponge
    Set with Coty Airspun (I pack it on under my eyes to catch any shadow fallout) & let it cook while I put on my eye makeup.
    Eye primer: Urban Decay Eden Primer Potion (lid & under lash line)
    Shadows: NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils as a base, Avon shadow quad, Lorac Pro Pallette 1, L’oreal Nude 1, Coastal Scents Revealed 2.
    I’ve been known to layer up to NINE shades for a complete smoky eye look but recently it’s been about 4. (Using various brushes Prestige, Sonia Kashuk, ELF, MAC)
    Liner: Prestige Total intensity Pencils (Deepest Black & Dark Brown), Urban Decay Perversion (only UD liner I like). Sometimes these go one before shadows. It just depends on how I want it to look.
    Liquid liner: Milani Eye Tech Extreme, Rimmel or Lorac.
    Inner Rim: one of above pencils
    Dust off setting powder with ELF Stipple Brush
    Blush: Milani, L’oreal or NYX (ELF or Sonia Kasuk Brushes)
    Highlighter: Josie Maran, Lorac or Benefit Coralista
    Bronzer: Lorac, Chanel Soleil de Tan or Milani.
    Eyelashes: Ardell Lacies or 111 (I put Kiss or Duo glue on them & let it get tacky while I finish up)
    Brows:NYX Tame & Frame Pomade or Maybelline Brow Drama Gel
    Mascara: Right now Cover Girl Super Sizer
    Eyelashes on!
    Set with NYX Matte Setting Spray
    PHEW!!! This takes me about a half hour but on weekends I definitely take my time with it. Sundays are the only day I rarely wear makeup.

    • Monica

      Omg!!! Forgot about lips!!! Lately it’s been OCC Lydia lip pencil & Buxom Dolly Lipstick or Rimmel Tiramisu liner with MAC Velvet Teddy & topped with Buxom Sandy Gloss. For red lipstick my ALL TIME FAVE is UD Revolution in FBomb. As a base I use Milani Anti feathering lip liner.

  • Zovesta

    Sunscreen > Moisturizer > Primer > Foundation > Concealer > Eye primer > Eyeshadow > Eyeliner > Blush > Brow gel + pencil > Lipstick > Setting spray > Mascara > Setting powder> Perfume! Normally takes me about an hour.

  • cat

    It depends on how much makeup I’m wearing and how much time I have. Assuming I’m doing a full face of makeup and I haven’t committed to a dramatic lip…

    Moisturizer –> Sunscreen –> Eye primer –> Eyeshadow –> Eyeliner –> Under Eye Concealer –> Blush –> Bronzer –> Lipstick

    Then I think about if I want to put on mascara because I still haven’t found one I like. I usually decide that it’s not worth it. If I haven’t put on eyeshadow, I’ll put on concealer after sunscreen and then after blush and bronzer and lipstick I’ll decide that my eyes look too bare and force myself to put on some liner.

    If I’m feeling super lazy (as I usually am) it’s just concealer and lipstick and blush if you’re lucky. 😉

  • Christine Joy Luikuo

    Mine would be BB cream and/or face powder first then a little contouring with a bronzer. For eyes, I apply eyeshadow primer (to shield my eyes from eyelid irritation), then eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and then brows (I only use brow powder). After the eye makeup, I apply lipstick and blush. But when going to work, I skip bronzer and eyeshadow because they’re time consuming for me. Haha!

  • Iris

    Mine is eyeshadow primer, undereye BB cream, sunscreen, face powder, eyeshadow, concealer if needed, and lipstick or lipgloss.