What Makeup Artists Wish You Knew About Skin Prep

Ask any pro makeup artist their biggest beauty secret, and chances are it won’t be a foundation, setting spray, or contour trick. It will be skin prep. The truth is, even the most flawless glam begins before the makeup ever touches your skin — and most everyday beauty lovers are skipping the most important steps.

At Glow365, we’re obsessed with making skin the hero — especially because we formulated every product around our core belief: skincare your makeup loves.

In this blog, we’ll share what professional makeup artists wish more people knew about skin prep — backed by expert insights, scientific sources, and a behind-the-scenes look at how our Barbados Cherry Pink Clay Mask deliver pro-level results for makeup that sits better, wears longer, and glows harder.

Why Skin Prep Is Non-Negotiable in Pro Makeup

Whether you’re on a red carpet, on camera, or just running errands with a fresh face of glam, your makeup is only as good as the skin underneath it.

As celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes says: “You can’t fake good skin. I always spend more time prepping the skin than applying makeup.”

And she’s not alone. Makeup pros consistently list these three goals in skin prep:

1. Balance hydration and oil

2. Create smooth texture and tone

3. Ensure compatibility between skincare and makeup

So why do so many people skip this step?

• They assume primer alone is enough (spoiler: it’s not)

• They don’t understand which skincare ingredients interfere with makeup

• They think skin prep = only moisturizer (it’s more strategic than that)

Let’s fix that.

Step 1: Start with the Right Cleanser

Many people use harsh cleansers in the morning, not realizing that most of your cleansing needs in the AM are about balancing, not stripping. Over-cleansing can lead to dryness, sensitivity, and poor makeup wear.

What makeup artists want:

• Clean skin that isn’t tight, flaky, or reactive

• A hydrated base that lets serums and moisturizers absorb evenly

• No residue that interferes with layering

What Glow365 offers:

Texture-Smooth Before You Hydrate

According to editorial artist Nam Vo, the secret to her signature “dewy dumpling glow” is texture less skin — not just shine. That means refined pores, smoothed edges, and no lingering flakes.

Why this step is skipped:

Many clay masks dry the skin, making it flaky under foundation. Over-exfoliation can make skin red or reactive. But pros know that refined skin = makeup-ready skin.

What Glow365 offers:

Our Barbados Cherry Pink Clay Mask is a reimagined pre-makeup skin polish. Instead of over-drying your face, it gently removes buildup while infusing hydration — the perfect combo for makeup prep.

Key Ingredients:

• Pink Clay + Bentonite: Detoxes without dehydrating

• Niacinamide: Minimizes pore appearance and smooths tone

• Shea Butter & Jojoba Oil: Softens skin without heaviness

• Barbados Cherry Ferment: Brightens and protects with natural vitamin C

Research in the Journal of Functional Foods (2015) confirms that acerola (Barbados cherry) is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C — improving tone, clarity, and skin resilience.

How to use like a pro:

Apply a thin, even layer 1–2x per week (non-consecutive days)— or the night before a glam day. Let it sit for 15 minutes and rinse. Follow with a calming toner or serum.

Step 3: Balance Before You Glow

According to MUA Patrick Ta, “If the skin is too dry or too oily, makeup will never sit right.” The key is not just moisturizing — it’s balancing. You want skin that’s hydrated, calm, and supple, without being slick or sticky.

Common prep mistakes:

• Using heavy occlusive moisturizers that pill under makeup

• Skipping hydration thinking oily skin doesn’t need it

• Layering too many actives too close to application

What makeup artists recommend:

• Lightweight hydration (gels, water creams)

• Barrier-supporting ingredients (niacinamide, glycerin)

• Skincare that won’t cause foundation to pill

Glow365’s cleanser and mask are both formulated to help your skin stay balanced from the first step, so your final layer (moisturizer or SPF) won’t clash with your base makeup.

What Happens When You Don’t Prep Properly?

Makeup artists say you’ll likely notice:

• Foundation separating around nose or chin

• Concealer creasing under the eyes or caking into lines

• Powder clinging to dry patches

• Dewy looks turning greasy

These aren’t just makeup problems — they’re skin prep problems.  The difference between your makeup looking “fine” and looking flawless is often in that 5-minute skincare ritual beforehand.

Pro Skin Prep Routine (with Glow365)

Here’s how to prep like a makeup artist, using only 2 key products plus your faves:

Morning Routine (Makeup Day)

1. Cleanse with Glow365 3-in-1 Cleanser

2. Tone or apply light serum (optional)

3. Moisturize with a lightweight, non-pilling hydrator

4. Apply SPF (choose a non-silicone formula if using primer)

5. Optional Primer (depends on your foundation formula)

6. Apply makeup — base, brows, glow

2x a Week:

Use Glow365 Barbados Cherry Pink Clay Mask the night before makeup days to:

• Remove congestion

• Tighten pores

• Smooth the surface

• Boost your glow

Real Artist Feedback on Skin Prep

Here’s what some professional MUAs say about skin prep:

“90% of the work is done before I even touch a foundation brush.”

@PaintedbySpencer

“Great skin makes my job easier. The better the prep, the less coverage we need.”

@AshKHolm

“The right skincare ensures makeup actually lasts through a 12-hour shoot.”

@MaryPhillips (MUA to Hailey Bieber)

Glow365 was created with this exact mindset. Our products are performance-formulated — meaning they don’t just care for skin, they actively support better, longer-lasting makeup.

Final Take: Skin Prep Is the First Step of Your Glam

If you’re skipping skin prep, you’re making your makeup work harder — and shortening its wear time. Whether you’re heading to brunch or a full photo shoot, prepping your skin the right way will make every product you apply look 10x better.

At Glow365, we formulate with makeup in mind. Because good skin isn’t just about health — it’s about performance, texture, and confidence.

Shop Your Skin Prep Staples:

• Barbados Cherry Pink Clay Mask — smooth, detox, and prep before glam LEARN MORE

Because when your skincare is right, your makeup doesn’t just sit better — it shines.

Glow365 | Skincare Your Makeup Loves™