15
June
Should You Apply Eyeshadow Before or After Foundation?
Should You Apply Eyeshadow Before or After Foundation?
Wondering whether to apply eyeshadow before or after foundation?
For a flawless makeup look, it's best to apply eyeshadow before foundation if you're using bold or dark shades to avoid fallout. However, if you're aiming for a quick, natural look, starting with foundation creates a smooth base for seamless eyeshadow application.
Discover the best approach for flawless makeup, expert tips, and which method works best for your routine. Understanding the right order of makeup application can make a huge difference in your final look.
What is Eyeshadow and What Does It Do?
Eyeshadow is a cosmetic product applied to the eyelids to enhance the eyes’ appearance. It comes in various colours and formulas, including powder, cream, and liquid, allowing you to create different effects, from subtle looks to bold, dramatic statements. Eyeshadow can define, brighten, and even change the perceived shape of your eyes, making it a versatile tool in your makeup arsenal.
What is Foundation and What Does It Do?
Foundation is a base makeup product designed to create an even skin tone, cover imperfections, and provide a smooth canvas for the rest of your makeup. Available in liquid, cream, powder, and stick forms, the foundation helps to create a flawless finish, enhancing your natural skin tone or providing a new base for your makeup look.
Types of Eyeshadow Formulas
Powder Eyeshadow: Most common, easy to blend, and buildable for various intensities.
Cream Eyeshadow: Offers a more intense colour payoff and can be used as a base for powder eyeshadow.
Liquid Eyeshadow: Provides a metallic or glittery finish and is often used for bold looks.
Types of Foundation Formulas
Liquid Foundation: Versatile, offering buildable coverage and suitable for most skin types.
Cream Foundation: Provides full coverage with a dewy finish, ideal for dry or mature skin.
Powder Foundation: Best for oily skin, offering a matte finish and easy touch-ups by setting your face makeup with a makeup brush.
Stick Foundation: Convenient for quick application and touch-ups, providing medium to full coverage.
Which Should You Apply First?
The order in which you apply eyeshadow and foundation can significantly impact your overall makeup look and routine. Each method has its pros and cons, and the best choice often depends on your personal preferences, the type of makeup look you’re going for, and even your skin type.
Pros of Applying Eyeshadow First
Reduces Fallout Issues: Eyeshadow, especially when using darker or more pigmented shades, or heavy mascara, can sometimes cause fallout—a loose powder that falls onto your cheeks or under-eye area. Apply concealer to clean it up and achieve a flawless finish. When you apply your eyeshadow before foundation allows you to easily wipe away any fallout without worrying about ruining your carefully applied base. This is particularly beneficial when working with bold colours, glittery shadows, or smokey eyes.
Easier Cleanup: Starting with your eyes allows you to be as creative or messy as you need to be without the fear of disrupting your foundation. If you make any mistakes, you can simply clean them up with makeup remover or a cotton swab, and then proceed with your foundation application for a flawless finish.
Precision: When your base is already in place, you might be more cautious with your eyeshadow application to avoid disturbing it. Applying eyeshadow first allows you to focus solely on getting the perfect eye look, without the worry of smudging or messing up your foundation. This can be especially helpful for intricate eye makeup or when working with eyeliner.
Pros of Applying Foundation First
Smooth Base: Applying foundation first ensures a smooth, even canvas for your eyeshadow. The foundation evens out your skin tone, covers any redness, and creates a uniform base that helps eyeshadow adhere better and blend more seamlessly. This can be especially helpful for those with visible veins or discolouration on their eyelids.
Even Complexion: The foundation can cover any discolouration or veins on your eyelids, creating a uniform base for your eyeshadow. This means your eyeshadow will appear more vibrant and true to colour. Without a uniform base, eyeshadow might not look as intended, particularly if you have uneven skin tone or pigmentation.
Quick Application: For a simple, everyday makeup routine, starting with foundation can streamline the process. If you're going for a natural or minimalist look, you might not need much eyeshadow, so applying foundation first can help you finish your makeup faster. Plus, having your base already in place means you can make quick decisions about how much or how little eyeshadow you need.
Does Applying Eyeshadow Before Foundation Make It Worse?
Applying eyeshadow before foundation does not necessarily make your makeup worse; it’s more about finding what works best for your needs and preferences. Here’s a deeper look at when and why you might choose one method over the other:
For Dramatic or Bold Looks: Applying eyeshadow first is often recommended if you're aiming for a bold, dramatic eye look—such as a smokey eye or vibrant colours. This approach allows you to focus on perfecting the eyes without worrying about fallout or needing to reapply foundation. Any mess or mistakes can be easily cleaned up before you move on to your base.
For Natural or Everyday Looks: If your daily makeup routine is more natural or minimalistic, starting with foundation can make the process quicker and more efficient. Since you might not be using heavy or dark eyeshadows, the risk of fallout is lower, and you can achieve a polished look with less effort.
Skin Type Considerations: Your skin type can also influence your decision. For example, if you have oily skin, you might prefer to apply foundation first to mattify and set your face before working on your eyes. On the other hand, if you have dry skin, starting with eyeshadow can prevent any dryness or patchiness that might occur if you need to clean up eyeshadow fallout after applying foundation.
Makeup Artist Preferences: Professional makeup artists often have their preferences based on experience and the specific look they are creating. Some prefer to start with eyes to ensure the eyeshadow is flawless, while others start with the foundation to create a cohesive look from the beginning.
Tips for Making Your Makeup Last Longer
Setting Spray and Powder
Use a setting spray after your makeup application to lock everything in place.
Apply a light dusting of setting powder to areas prone to oiliness.
Primer Use
Always use a primer before your foundation and eyeshadow to ensure long-lasting wear.
Touch-Up Techniques
Carry a compact powder or blotting paper for quick touch-ups throughout the day.
Shades Depending on Skin Tone
Fair Skin: Opt for light, cool-toned eyeshadows and foundations with pink or neutral undertones.
Medium Skin: Go for warm, golden-toned foundations and earthy eyeshadows.
Olive Skin: Choose foundations with green or yellow undertones and rich, jewel-toned eyeshadows.
Dark Skin: Look for deep, rich foundation shades and vibrant eyeshadow colours that pop against your skin.
Want to Be a Professional?
Interested in becoming a makeup professional? Enhance your skills with these courses from Makeup School Sydney:
Whether you choose to apply eyeshadow before or after foundation, the key is to find a routine that works best for you. Consider your skin type, the look you’re aiming for, and the products you use to make the most of your makeup routine.
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FAQ
What comes after the foundation?
Answer: Foundation should be one of the first stages in your cosmetic procedure to create a stunning canvas! After you've used your colour corrector, apply your foundation, concealer, powder, bronzer, and highlighter. Then you're ready to create your supermodel brows!
What happens before eyeshadow?
Answer: We recommend starting with eyeshadow primer since it is particularly made to function as a grip for eyeshadow and provides the finest pigment payoff. However, if you need a quick fix, a concealer might also help.
Should you use the foundation beneath your eyes?
Answer: To prevent calling unnecessary attention to the region, many cosmetic artists advise against using too much, if any, foundation around the eyes. Instead, they recommend using a moisturizing, lightweight concealer made exclusively for the under-eye region.
Do you use concealer first or foundation?
Answer: While most experts advocate applying a light layer of foundation before concealer, we recognize that there are times when using concealer first is beneficial, such as while being shot. If your concealer and foundation shades do not match. If you're colour-fixing discolouration.
What cosmetics should come first?
Answer: When it comes to applying makeup that lasts and looks great, primer should always be the first step.
How do you blend eyeshadow and foundation?
Answer: Apply a tiny quantity of your foundation to the back of your hand. With a clean, dry spatula, scrape a small amount of your pink eyeshadow. Mix the foundation with pink eyeshadow to make a cool-toned foundation with a pink undertone that complements the blush.