Makeup is not just about contouring, highlighting, and mastering the art of the perfect cat-eye — it is about prep work, too. When it comes down to it, the way your skin takes to makeup (and vice versa) all depends on what you do to your complexion before going in with foundation, concealer, and the rest of your beauty arsenal. “Beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin. Treat it like the finest canvas,” tells Sunday Riley, CEO, founder and product formulator. And while you might be quick to reach for a primer, it is not the only way to enhance your look.
“Starting with our origins in 2009, Sunday Riley formulas instantly became a backstage must-have with countless makeup artists raving over Good Genes’ ability to prep the skin so well in such a short amount of time. Our start at New York Fashion Week is a great example. It was early on, and they had never really worked with skincare sponsors before, but we called them up, and incredibly they said yes. We created an opportunity out of nothing, and that really set the precedence for Sunday Riley as a brand. This speed and innovation is truly one of our biggest advantages over all the legacy beauty brands that dominate the market. In the years that followed, fashion houses such as Alice and Olivia, Jason Wu, Victoria Beckham, and The Row would all come to rely on Sunday Riley skincare when showcasing their collections,” shares Sunday. Later, magic would happen on the runway when two cruelty-free brands collided. In 2015, Sunday Riley was responsible for the enviable glow seen at Stella McCartney’s resort collection, where Sunday personally was prepping models’ skin. Cut to 2021, when Sunday Riley was honored by becoming the first official partner of Milano Fashion Week. The shows of Marni, Genny, Alexandra Moura, Tokyo James, Joy Meribe, Marco Rambaldi, and Fab Five all depended on Sunday Riley skincare to provide glowing and radiant skin.
Meet the Experts
Sunday Riley CEO, founder and product formulator.
Hannah Hatcher , makeup artist.
Determine Your Skin Type
As with most anything we put on our face, skin type matters. Even if you use a primer, you should always look for one that is compatible with your complexion. The two symptoms you want to look out for are dry and oily. Both impact the way makeup interacts with the skin and — if not cared for properly beforehand — could result in either a dull, rough-looking application or one that seemingly melts off. Many people wonder how to prep dry skin for makeup versus oily skin. The good news is there are still effective ways to prep both dry skin and oily skin for makeup without primer that are not too far off from your skincare routine.
Start With Cleanser
If you want your makeup to sit better throughout the day or before a big event, Sunday suggests a flash mask. “We were doing a show, and the makeup artist asked what we did to the skin. I said, ‘Oh, we just used the cleanser,’ and she said the makeup went on so much smoother and faster,” Sunday said. Because the Ceramic Slip formula is packed with French green clay, it can double up as a mask when left on the skin for a few minutes. Riley suggests applying makeup immediately afterward to feel the full benefits.
PRO TIP: TRY THE FLASH FIX FACIAL
Mix equal parts Ceramic Slip Cleanser with Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment. Blend together and apply to clean skin as a mask. Rinse with water after 10 minutes. Follow with your favorite Sunday Riley treatment and moisturizer.
“If you are more of an oil-prone skin type, begin cleansing the skin with a hydrating yet oil-controlling cleanser,” says makeup artist Hannah Hatcher. When selecting a cleanser for oily skin, Hatcher suggests keeping your eye on the label, as the ingredients can make a huge difference. Formulated as a universal, foaming cleanser for even the most sensitive skin, Ceramic Slip leaves all skin types softer, cleaner, balanced, and radiant. Extremely gentle, this deep cleaning cleanser can be used daily, morning and night, for a healthier-looking complexion. A blend of four gentle, plant-based soaps lift up and wash away dirt and impurities without stripping the skin. French green clay pulls dirt, oil, pollution, and makeup out of the pores, while rice oil esters protect the skin from dehydration. Impurities are pulled out; clean hydration is pulled in.
Tone it Up
Dry skin needs all the moisture it can get. So, much like your cleanser, Hatcher says to reach for something that will boost hydration with nourishing ingredients that will support your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
“You put peptides-induced Pink Drink Firming Resurfacing Essence on after cleansing your skin. It feels so refreshing. You could also put it on top of makeup to instantly firm the skin. Peptides help firm the skin, while fermented honey and botanical extracts balance the skin’s natural microbiome and resurface the skin,” says Sunday. “It helps to actually even reduce the appearance of pore size. This is something that I use all day long. It’s on my desk when I need a pick me up.”
Runway-Ready Skin
By efficiently removing dead skin cells, Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment allows for smoother and quicker makeup application. C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening serum improves the adherence of makeup to the skin. While it doesn’t create a sticky texture, it does help makeup stay in place better, reducing the likelihood of it sliding off. “It’s my favorite primer. It typically stays kind of gripped in there yet. This is something that makeup artists have conveyed to me and said that this is their favorite product for makeup application,” says Sunday. “This is also one of my favorite products as a skin care primer. So not only it is saving time, but this feels more effective.”
Add Moisture
The last step is one of the most important steps, as a moisturizer can make or break your base. “Even though your skin may be overproducing oil, it still needs moisture (water!),” Hatcher says of oily skin types. “Applying an oil-free moisturizer will help condition and hydrate the skin,” she says. “I always use C.E.O. Afterglow gel cream mixed with a small amount of C.E.O. Glow Oil under foundation. Vitamin C works with golden turmeric for instant vibrance, a brightening effect, and antioxidant defense. C.E.O. Glow is a lightweight, dry-touch oil that gives a really luminous, hydrated look to your base,” says Riley.
If your skin falls on the ultra-dry side of the spectrum, try a thicker cream-based formula like ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream. “We use it backstage at Milan Fashion Week. It’s honestly the most amazing cream to keep that moisture in and to really give your skin that kind of soothing. It just feels so nourishing. You’ll see such a change,” Sunday says.
“I also typically apply AutoCorrect Brightening and Depuffing eye contour cream after makeup on my cheekbones as like a very, very natural highlighter, sometimes even like on the bridge of my nose or up here on the Cupid’s part of my lip. So that’s my little pro tip,” shares Sunday.
Facial Massage
To create a supple, smooth effect, try adding a little facial massage into your prep work. Massaging the skin before applying makeup can help increase circulation and the plumpness of skin, which can give you that primer look without the actual product itself.
“We like to massage our skin with cryo globes as it is not only easy but feels amazing, too! Cryo globes are particularly great at decreasing puffiness — especially under the eyes — which means you likely will not have to use as much concealer to hide puffy under-eye bags,” adds Sunday.
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