My skin-prep guide for perfect makeup

Makeup in general has been a popular subject in my inbox recently, especially as the weather's started to warm up. So this evening, I'm sharing how to perfectly prep your skin for immaculate application.

Here are my pro tips for a flawless finish this summer…

#1. Keep your nose shine-free...

This week I’ve had messages from a couple of you asking how you can stop makeup caking in the creases of your nose or separating across the bridge…A sure sign that the weather is finally warming up! Fortunately, both can be corrected with your skincare and makeup, so let’s start with perfecting your base (no pun intended 😂).

Sometimes when we apply our skincare, it’s easy for it to pool in the little nooks at the bottom of your nose. As our formulas are active though, if too much product settles in this area, they’ll work overtime and renew the skin too quickly. This means you may notice a tiny amount of skin peeling/flaking which your makeup then loves to cling to! So to prevent it, all you need to do is make sure you blend all the way around your nose after each layer and your foundation will glide on like a dream.

If you have the opposite problem and your foundation is going onto your nose, but not staying on your nose though, we can correct that too. As the temperatures climb, humidity can stop your makeup setting properly and then increased sweat can cause it to slide around. To make it play ball, get yourself an eyelid primer and apply just a touch to the bridge of your nose. These products have extraordinary staying power and will keep your foundation in place, whatever the weather.

#2. Maintain the perfect pout...

Dry, chapped lips are something we often associate with the winter, but thanks to dehydration from the heat, sun damage and air conditioning, they’re just as common in the sunnier months too. This can have your spring/summer peachy-pink lipsticks flaking off in no time, but don’t worry, I have the solution!

The first thing we need to do is get rid of the dry, dead skin cells sitting on the surface so that we can nourish the healthy, new ones below. To do this, take one tiny drop of the Overnight Glow Drops each evening and gently massage it into your lips. Then allow it to work it’s magic whilst you complete the rest of your 5 Minute Kit.

Once you’re done and the serum is fully absorbed, this time, take a drop of The Everything Oil and apply it on top. As our lips don’t naturally produce oil like our skin, it’s essential that we add it topically instead. This magical formula will calm, restore and nourish for soft supple lips and I always apply a layer before I start my skincare in the morning too. This ensures my pout is always perfectly plump by the time I get to my makeup.

#3. Get the bronze goddess glow...

Like many of you, I love the bronzed goddess vibes a touch of colour brings to the skin. However, longtime BASE Blog readers will know that despite this, I’m always advising against fake tan for your face. This is because the pigment often makes itself at home in your pores leading to blackheads and spots.

Thankfully though, there is a new product having a moment that gives stunning, sun-kissed results without any unwanted side effects…Enter, bronzing drops. These golden formulas are makeup based and are designed to be added into your skincare for a flawless finish. All you need to do is take a few drops in the palm of your hand and mix it with your One Cream Wonder. It’ll instantly create a dreamy, sun-drenched blend and you can then apply it to your skin as usual.

Unlike a fake tan that’s designed to cling to your skin for weeks on end (which explains the pore-clogging 🙈), these drops will effortlessly rinse away at the end of the day with your double cleanse. Both high street and high end brands have beautiful options and just make sure you’re searching for ‘Bronzing Drops’ rather than ‘Tanning Drops’ and you’ll have clear, glowing skin all summer long.

And there we have it, a trio of little tips that will keep your complexion happy, healthy and oh so glowy as we enter the new season.