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3 min read
If your make-up tends to look dry and flaky through the day, these tips and tricks will help…
We all know that when it comes to skincare, knowing your skin type is key. But knowing if your skin is dry, oily or dehydrated can be really useful when doing your make-up too. Different skin types have differing skin needs, and something that works for one skin type, might wreak havoc on another person’s complexion.
Let’s take foundation: has a friend ever recommended a BB cream or foundation that left their skin glowing and radiant, but it looks cakey and dry on you? That’s likely down to the differences in your skin type and texture. Dry skin craves moisture and can often look patchy throughout the day if the products you’re using don’t continue to nourish the skin.
If you’ve got dry skin, using formulas that cater specifically to drier skin types can help, but there are also some simple tips and tricks you can do to ensure your make-up looks its best. We asked celebrity make-up artist Buster Knight for his top dry skin make-up tips to ensure your complexion stays soft and smooth, all day (and all night) long.
Use a vitamin E cream on any dry patches
“If your skin is really dry and tends to flake through your make-up during the day, try using a rich vitamin E oil on any dry patches,” suggests Knight. “I love to apply Elizabeth Arden’s eight-hour cream on any dry patches before starting as this is really great for minimising any unwanted dryness throughout the day.”
Shop Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant at Cult Beauty, £31
Mix a drop of face oil with your foundation
“Another great trick is to mix a little bit of your favourite nourishing skin oil in with your foundation to ramp up the formula,” says Knight. “This works well to hydrate your skin while you’re wearing make-up.”
Shop Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm Barrier Support Elixir at Lookfantastic, £44
Use a hydrating primer
“The Laura Mercier hydrating primer is fantastic for prepping the skin for make-up if you’re dry. You can also mix a drop of moisturiser with your primer in the winter months to give an extra boost of hydration.”
Shop Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer Hydrating at John Lewis, £21.50
Layer your products
“If you want a full-coverage finish but find that full-coverage foundations often leave your skin looking drier, try using a tinted moisturiser as your primer instead,” suggests Knight. “This will give you coverage but with a deeper hit of hydration.”
Use a hydrating setting spray
“A make-up refreshing spray is great for giving your skin an extra hit of hydration throughout the day – I really like the Caudalie Beauty Elixir for my clients with dry skin.”
Prep your skin with a sheet mask
“Sheet masks are seen as a bit of a fad but they are so helpful for my clients with dry skin,” says Knight. “They’re perfect for prepping the skin before make-up if you’ve got a special occasion, wedding or a big event coming up.”
Steer clear of silicones
“It goes without saying, but steer clear of mattifying products like primers and foundations,” suggests Knight. “These are also often marketed as ‘blurring’ and use silicones to get that airbrushed finish. These are great for those with normal or oilier skin types but will zap drier skins of moisture, leaving your complexion tight and flaky.”
Images: Getty; courtesy of brands
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