MASTERING SKIN PREP : CANVAS FIRST

Hey guys, and welcome to The Journal. This is where I share articles, guides, tips and tricks, shopping lists, interviews, and sometimes just my thoughts and all rooted in my love for beauty, teaching, and artistry.

Today’s topic? The unsung hero of flawless makeup: skin prep.

Let’s be real. Skin prep is everything. It’s the foundation before the foundation. The quiet step that can make or break your entire application. If your makeup isn’t laying right, looking textured, or slipping away too soon… 9 times out of 10, it comes back to skin prep. And the truth is, it’s personal. Your routine should shift based on your skin type, the weather, your desired outcome, and sometimes even your mood. But there are a few principles I always come back to, and that’s what I want to share with you here.

First, always start with clean, smooth skin. Texture is real. We all have it. It comes with age, hormones, and…just life. Don’t stress about having “perfect” skin. Instead, focus on creating balance. After cleansing, I love going in with an exfoliating toner to gently remove excess oils, dry patches, and buildup. It gives your skin that fresh, even surface to work with. A few that I trust: the Elemis Resurfacing Pads, Pixi Glow Tonic, and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner.

If you’re feeling extra dry or dull, under-eye patches and hydrating sheet masks are a great way to wake up your skin. I always aim for that “supple” feel, even on days I know I’ll be out in the heat. Dry, tight skin just doesn’t hold makeup well, no matter your skin type.

Across the board, I always layer toner and serum before moisturizer. That extra step makes a huge difference. It helps your moisturizer absorb better and gives the skin a cushion of hydration. If you’re someone with dry skin, look for formulas that deeply hydrate and plump. I love the TIRTIR Milk Skin Toner, Charlotte Tilbury’s Glow Toner and Serum, and The Inkey List’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum. For moisturizers, some of my personal and kit favorites are Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream and Water Cream, Embryolisse, Kiehl’s Ultra Hydrating Cream, Pond’s Dry Skin Cream, and The Inkey List Omega Water Cream. If you are worried about the environment you are in being too hot, still choose hydration but with thinner textures, and then pinpointing the problem areas with a product that will keep the skin balanced. I love to use the Danessa Myricks Yummy Balm for this.

Now let’s talk oily skin. Hydration still matters. Don’t skip it! The goal is balance, not dryness. I like to reach for water-based creams like Neutrogena Hydro Boost, Matcha Water Cream, or Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Pink Juice Moisturizer. These give just enough hydration without overwhelming the skin. To help regulate oil, I recommend serums like Glow Recipe’s Niacinamide Dew Drops or The Inkey List’s Niacinamide Serum. Together, they keep skin fresh, hydrated, and prepped while also keeping the shine creeping in.

For mature skin, it’s all about restoring and amplifying radiance. I lean into rich serums with peptides and ceramides like Lancome Génifique or Clarins Double Serum. You can also layer in oils or boosters to really amp up the moisture and give that “glass skin” glow. Some go-to’s: Rhode Glazing Milk, Dose of Colors Cold Pressed Booster, Danessa Myricks’ Yummy Moisture Serum, Elemis Superfood Oil, and Naturium Barrier Bounce.

Now I know what you’re thinking… what about primer? Honestly, if your skin is prepped well, primer becomes optional. I rarely reach for it but when I do, it’s with intention. For clients with very oily skin, I’ll use something like the Milk Hydro Grip, the Danessa Myricks Yummy Balm (again, she’s that girl), or the ELF Power Grip. One trick I love for oily skin is pressing a light layer of powder over the skin prep before foundation. It creates a barrier and helps everything stay put.

Let’s not forget the under eyes. It’s a part of the face that’s often skipped but so important. If your concealer is creasing, looking dry, or not sitting right, it might be time to incorporate an eye cream. I love Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Eye Cream, L’Oreal Revitalift, Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado, and Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Eye Base. Eye cream doesn’t just prep the area. It also improves the texture over time.

And before I wrap this up, let’s talk about lips. Ever tried to apply lipstick over dry, chapped lips? It’s the worst. Before any makeup, I always prep with a lip balm, mask, or oil. Some favorites: Naturium Phyto-Glow Lip Mask, Tatcha’s The Kiss Lip Mask, and City Beauty’s City Lips in Clear. If I want a little extra plump, I’ll use a lip plumper during prep so it’s ready when I get to lips.

So there you have it. Your skin prep blueprint. Let your products sink in. And remember, the better your prep, the better your makeup. Always.

Skin prep.
SKIN prep.
SKIN PREP.

Now go create magic.
xoxo,
MeghanBStudios