Skin first: prepping the perfect base

Ask any of our artists what half of a makeup session is, and they will tell you: skincare. Foundation never covers texture — it reveals it. A calm, hydrated surface is the difference between makeup that sits on the skin and makeup that looks like skin.

Step one: calm it down

Start with a gentle cleanse, even in the morning. Overnight skin holds onto oils and old product that make base patchy. Pat — never rub — dry, then press in a light moisturiser while the skin is still slightly damp.

Step two: prime with purpose

Primer is not one product; it is a decision. Mattify the T-zone, hydrate the cheeks, smooth the eyelids. Targeted priming beats a full-face slick every time, and it halves the foundation you need.

Step three: wait five minutes

The least glamorous advice we give is also the most effective. Skincare needs five quiet minutes to settle before base goes on. Make tea. Choose earrings. Then apply less foundation than you think — you can always add.

Come try it in the chair: every daily makeup session begins with this exact ritual, matched to your skin.