Dear mL:

I see so many different tutorials on YouTube and online, and I was wondering what the right order is to apply make up?  Do you do foundation before or after your eye make up?  Do you do concealer before or after foundation?

Thanks!

(Multiple readers)

Dear readers:

I always find it interesting that people think there is one specific rule for when to apply what part of your make up.  Quite frankly, there are no rules to make up.  It’s not like hair color, where different developers give you different outcomes — there are ample possibilites at your fingertips!

Some people like to apply their foundation after their eyeshadow.  The benefits of this would include that you can easily clean up any eyeshadow fall-out without messing up your foundation.  I personally like to put my foundation on after just for that simple fact.  However, some people prefer to put it on before hand because it’s easier for them.  Whatever’s clever.

Here are my personal “rules” that I do recommend following, however, just for ease of application!

• Apply eyeshadow base around your nose prior to applying foundation.  This area rubs off the easiest!  I use Urban Decay’s Primer Potion (the original) very lightly.  It helps keep my foundation on all day!
• Apply blush (rouge) after your foundation, but before face powder.  Sometimes you’ll put on too much blush — it’s natural, it happens.  While we can try to apply it lightly at first and make it darker gradually, sometimes it doesn’t happen.  If we apply the powder first, you’ll just have to apply more powder to lighten it up — which can make your face look ridiculously cakey.  If you apply the blush before powder, however, it will blend and soften the lines of the blush easier!
• Always, always, always apply concealer after foundation.  Why?  Because of two simple reasons.  1. Foundation already gives some coverage, you’ll be using more concealer than necessary if you apply it first!  2.  When you apply foundation after concealer, you’re rubbing off a lot of the concealer, and thus using too much product.
• Lipliner BEFORE lipstick.  Though I think that’s pretty obvious!  It helps keep the lipstick on better and keep it from bleeding.
• Eyeshadow primer before eyeshadow, eyeshadow before eyeliner, eyeliner before mascara.  Otherwise the shadow covers the liner and mascara.  Ew.

Other than that, I don’t see any reason why to do one thing before another.  The wonderful thing about make up is that it’s a form of self-expression, so express yourself freely!  Apply however you want, and however you feel comfortable doing it!