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Every makeup artist will tell you, great makeup starts with great skincare.
There’s not much point in expecting your cosmetics to perform at their best if you haven’t prepped with skincare tailored to your needs and desired finish.
Think of your skincare as being the backbone of your finished makeup look.
Can you spot dry flakes? An acid could sort that. Does skin look tight and flat? A rich moisturiser that won’t pill might have fixed it.
With MAC Cosmetics introducing skincare to their range for the first time this month, it’s got us thinking about the best products that work well with makeup – and naturally, it’s often the makeup brands themselves leading the charge.
From glow-givers to moisture-boosters, oil-absorbers and skin-softeners, we’ve rounded up the best of the best.
MAC Hyper Real Serumizer – from £28
MAC has made their debut in skincare, and this serum hydrates while imparting the gentlest touch of glow. It also has niacinamide and other good-for-skin ingredients.
Milk Vegan Milk Moisturiser – £34.50
For those with dry skin, this moisturiser is astoundingly rich without feeling heavy. If makeup looks flat and cakey on skin, prep it with this first.
Glossier Futuredew – £23
For fans of glow, this skincare-makeup hybrid does well as the final step as a skincare routine, providing a glowy base for foundation.
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base – £48.50
The OG skincare-primer hybrid, this makes skin feel like a pillow, and makeup glides over.
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – from £11
Apply this the night before makeup if you struggle with flakiness – it’ll be gone by the morning, making for a much smoother canvas for makeup.
By Terry Brightening CC Serum in Sunny Flash – £61
If you like a shimmery tint on the skin, this works best as the final step in a skincare routine.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar MAT+ Moisturiser Oily Skin – £18.50
If oil is the problem, breaking up any makeup applied over top, this mattifies skin so that whatever goes on top stays put.
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