3 Steps To A Flawless Base: The Dry Skin Edition

As I'm sure most of you know, perfect skin is a feat that can often be difficult to attain—unless you were #blessed with all-star skin genes, that is. But in reality, the majority of peeps will struggle with at least some aspect of their epidermis over the course of their lives. Amirite over here? For instance, my issue happens to be excessive dryness, which means my makeup can easily look cracked, cakey, and well—just rough. That being said, through trial and error, I've found a foolproof face makeup routine that leaves my complexion looking clear, even-toned, and not the least bit parched. Read on for the lowdown on my simple, three-step regime.

Step One: Prime Thyself — First things first, I ALWAYS start off with good ole primer. I used to think primers were gimmicks, but I'm here to report that I've found one (see above!) that truly makes a difference in how my foundation applies and wears throughout the day. Marc Jacobs Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer  smooths beautifully over any dry areas and injects a healthy dose of hydration into the skin that allows it to stay looking supple and plump for longer. I usually apply a pump or two of this to my face and wait 30 seconds or so for it to sink in. Then onto foundation!

Step Two: Foundation — Now I happen to be someone who prefers a medium-to-full coverage foundation as I deal with quite a bit of redness in my skin, but if that's not your jam, then I highly suggest a lightweight tinted base such as Glossier's Perfecting Skin Tint or Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer, both of which offer a light layer of coverage, sans the makeup-y feel. However, if medium-to-full is your thing, then Tarte's Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation will be right up your alley. I've tested my fair shade of foundations, but for some reason I always come back to this one. With a weightless feel, spectacular coverage, and superior longevity, it earns an A+ in my book. Quick tip: Try applying with a damp sponge (I use a Beautyblender), as this well help to sheer out the product and make it appear more natural-looking.

Step Three: Seal It — After you have an even canvas that you're happy with, you can obviously go in and add bronzer, blush, or any other face products you may fancy. Once you're done, it's time to seal everything in. My biggest tip for dry skin is to use a setting spray in lieu of a face powder, which can often leave behind a chalky or cakey appearance on drier complexions. Instead, try a setting spray (like this one by Urban Decay), which will leave the skin looking ultra-hydrated and smooth. Plus, it'll keep your makeup in place for hours.