Regardless of whether you prefer a natural everyday look or bold glam, makeup has its limits in providing an even complexion and a radiant glow. The true essence of your overall appearance—and the durability of your makeup—lies in the condition of your skin. To create a smooth and seamless canvas for makeup application, skin must be properly prepared and nourished.
As someone dealing with combination skin, I’ve experienced the unsatisfactory effects of neglecting this vital step: a cakey and patchy finish on my cheeks, foundation slipping off my oily T-zone, and constant touch-ups required throughout the day. Despite many attempts over the years to resolve this issue, the outcomes have been inconsistent. Therefore, in my journey to achieve flawless makeup, I dedicated the last month to testing four promising products aimed at enhancing my beauty routine and prepping a plump canvas for any makeup application.
Did DEWYTREE’s The Clean Lab AC Dew Calamine Essence Calming Pads, SKIN HOUSE’s EGF Collagen Ampoule, heimish’s Artless Glow Base, and CODE GLOKOLOR’s Fix-On Primer provide that elusive, skin-like base? Read on to discover more!
After cleansing my skin, I like to utilize a toner-soaked, textured cotton pad to gently exfoliate and eliminate any remaining dead skin cells or impurities my cleanser may have missed. This toning step is crucial for rehydrating the skin and preparing it for better absorption of subsequent skincare products.
In this instance, I selected toner pads for their practicality and ease of application. DEWYTREE’s The Clean Lab AC Dew Calamine Essence Calming Pads feature the brand’s patented MultiEx™ BSASM Plus, which includes cica, green tea, and rosemary leaf extracts designed to provide moisture and a soothing effect. The inclusion of PHA and LHA as exfoliating agents ensures gentle exfoliation for a smooth surface on which makeup can adhere effectively.
My review: DEWYTREE’s toner pads are incredibly convenient and user-friendly. They are saturated with hydrating essence, flooding my skin with moisture and leaving it feeling plump and revitalized. On particularly dry days, I would leave them on for five minutes to deeply hydrate and soften dry patches. Despite their exfoliating properties, the pads felt calming and caused no irritation. Their curved design easily fits around the eyes and nose, allowing me to stretch the pad to cover from my eyes to cheeks and my entire forehead.
Serums or ampoules are crucial for replenishing moisture and creating a smooth, plump base for makeup. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin are especially effective for hydration. So, I opted for SKIN HOUSE’s EGF Collagen Ampoule, a lightweight and rapidly absorbing formula enriched with hyaluronic acid for an instant hydration boost. In addition to increasing skin moisture, the ampoule contains skin-smoothing EGF and hydrolyzed collagen for skin tightening and improved elasticity.
My review: The ampoule provided an immediate cooling sensation upon application. I found the formula refreshing and gentle without leaving a sticky or tacky residue. Despite its light, water-like texture, it delivered plentiful moisture, resulting in dewy, hydrated skin with a natural glow. The collagen’s anti-aging properties were an added benefit, although I found the scent to be slightly artificial.
While it’s tempting to layer several products before makeup application, this can often backfire. Applying too many products, especially when they’re not fully absorbed, can result in makeup pilling and sliding, complicating the application process. To streamline my routine and avoid this common issue, I chose heimish’s Artless Glow Base, a multi-functional product that combines moisturizing, sun protection, and priming benefits in one. It boasts SPF 50+ PA+++ protection to guard against UV rays, while ingredients like rosa canina fruit extract and thyme help even out the skin tone. Additional extracts of origanum majorana leaf and peppermint further shield the skin from external aggressors and refine its texture for a smooth finish.
My review: Having high hopes for this base due to its popularity among beauty influencers, I was not disappointed. The pink-tinted formula provided a natural tone-up effect, while the added shimmer gave my skin a pearly, luminous finish. The base effectively extended the longevity of my makeup, requiring fewer touch-ups throughout the day. It blended effortlessly into my skin without pilling, even when applied generously as sunscreen. However, I found that it made my combination skin appear slightly shiny when used alone.
Lastly, to perfect my base makeup, I needed to address my oily T-zone. I decided to try CODE GLOKOLOR’s Fix-On Primer to see if it could control my midday shine. This primer quickly minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores and uneven skin texture, while preventing excess oil from compromising my makeup application. Enriched with beneficial ingredients like phloretin, panthenol, and bakuchiol, the formula offers additional moisturization and calming properties. Its lightweight emulsion texture is suitable for all skin types.
My review: Although I usually find silicone-based primers to be thick and heavy, I was pleasantly surprised by the lightweight, lotion-like texture of Fix-On Primer, which felt silky on the skin. For comparison, I applied the primer to only one side of my face. The side with the primer showed noticeably reduced pore visibility thanks to its subtle blurring effect, and the skin appeared smoother and less oily. The primer effectively controlled oil on my T-zone, which remained semi-matte for the entire day without drying out my cheeks. When pressed for time, I mixed the Fix-On Primer with my foundation, and the combination worked equally well.
Concluding Thoughts
Overall, my four-step pre-makeup routine has been remarkably effective. These four products complement makeup application perfectly, ensuring a flawless and radiant finish throughout the day.
DEWYTREE’s The Clean Lab AC Dew Calamine Essence Calming Pads and SKIN HOUSE’s EGF Collagen Ampoule have seamlessly integrated into my skincare routine, providing optimal hydration to create a solid base for makeup while keeping my skin looking healthy and glowy in the long term.
CODE GLOKOLOR’s Fix-On Primer and heimish’s Artless Glow Base also stand out by preventing clumps, cakiness, and unwanted shine from interfering with makeup application. I’m particularly impressed with The Artless Glow Base, which will continue to be a staple in my beauty routine due to its broad-spectrum UV protection and its ability to give skin a radiant, lit-from-within glow.
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