This Should Be The First Step In Your Makeup Routine

When it comes to my makeup routine, I’m a creature of habit. I put my makeup on the same way every day, only occasionally incorporating new products or methods into the way I normally do things.

And it’s not that I’m unwilling to try new things — sticking to my routine is just quicker and more convenient! Those factors tend to win out whenever I consider adopting a different method or look.

But I recently came across some very compelling reasons to make a big change in my makeup routine! In fact, this change made so much sense to me that I decided to make it subject of today’s blog post.

The Makeup Mistake I Didn’t Know I Was Making

For decades now, I’ve started my makeup routine by applying my foundation first. I thought that was the way it “should” be done, but I recently learned that it’s actually better to apply eye makeup first.

So I gave it a try, and now I’m kicking myself for not learning this trick sooner! Here are four reasons why putting on your eye makeup first just makes good sense.

4 Reasons To Apply Your Eye Makeup First

1. More Control & Better Balance

When we look at another person’s face, we instinctively look at their eyes first. So when you’re doing your makeup, focusing foremost on your eyes will help you make a good first impression!

Starting with your eyes can also make it easier to create a balanced look. If you start with a dramatic smoky eye, you can balance it with subtler lip and cheek colors.

And if you start with a more subtle or neutral eye color, you can add a bold lip color for a perfectly balanced look. Simply put, starting with your eyes is an easy way to create a more cohesive look.

2. It’s Less Messy

Before I started doing my eye makeup first, cleaning up the “fallout” was an everyday struggle. I would inevitably end up with bits of eyeshadow or flakes of mascara underneath my eyes, and it was such a pain to clean up!

If your foundation is already done, it’s impossible to clean up eye makeup fallout without erasing part of your foundation. A careful approach to cleanup often ends up leaving behind smudges of color under your eyes, enhancing the dark shadows that most of us try to avoid.

But when you start with your eye makeup, you can wipe away any fallout from your eye makeup without worry. Smart!

3. You’ll Use Less Foundation

When you start your makeup routine by applying foundation, it’s easy to get carried away. Applying a thick layer of foundation can make it appear cake-y, and that’s not the sort of look most of us are hoping for.

If you apply foundation after your eye makeup is done, you’ll likely use less and achieve a more natural look. It’s an easy switch that can make your skin appear more youthful and vibrant!

4. It Eliminates Backtracking

The best part about starting with your eye makeup is that there’s no need to backtrack! There’s no fallout to clean up and no need to adjust your foundation or put on more concealer. Ultimately, you’ll spend less time in front of the mirror and can head out the door with confidence.

What About The Rest Of Your Makeup?

We all have different makeup routines and use different products, so no piece of makeup advice is going to be universally applicable. The most important takeaway is to put on your eye makeup first—what order you use to apply the rest of it is up to you!