DollSquad Blog
What Goes First? The Correct Order to Prep Your Skin for Flawless Makeup
Ever feel like your makeup looks different every day, even when you're using the same products?
The secret often isn't your foundation. It's your skincare prep.
Properly hydrated, smooth skin creates the perfect canvas for makeup, helping products blend better, wear longer, and look more natural throughout the day. If you've ever wondered whether serum goes before moisturizer, where eye treatments fit in, or how to create the ultimate makeup-prep routine, you're not alone.
Here's the simple step-by-step order we recommend for healthy-looking skin and beautiful makeup application.
Step 1: Start with Clean Skin
The best makeup starts with a clean canvas. Begin with freshly cleansed skin to remove oil, makeup, and impurities that can interfere with product absorption.
Pat skin dry, leaving it slightly damp before moving on to your next step.
Step 2: Apply Your Serum
Serums should always be applied before moisturizer because they contain concentrated active ingredients designed to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Our favorite makeup-prep serum is the Let's Glow Serum, designed to drench skin in weightless hydration while creating a smooth, radiant base for makeup application.
Why you'll love it:
- Boosts hydration
- Helps skin appear plumper and more radiant
- Creates a dewy, healthy-looking glow
- Helps foundation apply more evenly
Apply 1-2 pumps to the face and neck and allow it to absorb for about 30-60 seconds.
Shop Let's Glow Serum: HERE
Step 3: Treat the Eye Area
The eye area is often the first place to show signs of dryness, fatigue, and crepey texture. Giving this delicate area extra attention before makeup can make a dramatic difference in how concealer and foundation wear throughout the day.
For instant hydration and smoothing:
Apply our Peptide Bounce Plumping Eye Gels to help hydrate, refresh, and visibly smooth the under-eye area.
Benefits:
- Helps reduce the appearance of puffiness
- Delivers intense hydration
- Smooths the look of fine lines
- Creates a better surface for concealer application
Shop Peptide Bounce Plumping Eye Gels: HERE
For Daily Firming and Moisture:
Follow with our Reishi Mushroom Firming Eye Milk, a lightweight treatment that helps nourish and support the delicate eye area.
Benefits:
- Helps improve the appearance of firmness
- Delivers lasting hydration
- Helps reduce the appearance of tired-looking eyes
- Layers beautifully under makeup
Shop Reishi Mushroom Firming Eye Milk: HERE
Step 4: Lock It In with Moisturizer
After your serum and eye treatments have absorbed, it's time for moisturizer.
Think of moisturizer as the step that seals everything in. It helps lock in hydration while supporting the skin barrier and creating a smooth surface for makeup.
Our Reishi Renewing Mushroom Milk is the perfect finishing step before makeup.
Why it works:
- Delivers lightweight yet lasting hydration
- Helps skin look smoother and healthier
- Supports a soft, supple complexion
- Creates a beautiful base for foundation
Shop Reishi Renewing Mushroom Milk: HERE
Apply evenly across the face and neck and allow a minute or two for absorption.
Step 5: Apply Makeup
Now your skin is officially makeup-ready.
When skin is properly hydrated and prepped:
- Foundation applies more evenly
- Concealer looks smoother
- Makeup lasts longer
- Skin looks healthier and more radiant throughout the day
At Doll 10, we believe great makeup starts with great skincare. That's why our formulas are designed to work together to help create a complexion that looks fresh, hydrated, and naturally beautiful.
The Perfect Makeup Prep Routine:
- Cleanse
- Let's Glow Serum
- Peptide Bounce Plumping Eye Gels
- Reishi Mushroom Firming Eye Milk
- Reishi Renewing Mushroom Milk
- Makeup
The result? Skin that looks hydrated, smooth, glowing, and ready for whatever the day brings.