Makeup Prep 101: What to Do Before Your Appointment for Flawless Glam
When clients ask me how to get the best results from their makeup appointment, my answer is simple: a little prep goes a long way.
While I handle most of the skin prep as soon as you arrive (hydration, primers, skin-conditioning, smoothing, and everything needed for a long-lasting application) there are a few things you can do beforehand to ensure your glam looks its absolute best.
These easy steps make a noticeable difference in texture, longevity, and overall glow.
Why Your Pre-Appointment Prep Matters
Even though I prep your skin professionally, what you do in the days leading up to your appointment helps me create a smoother base, longer-lasting makeup, a glow that looks natural, not heavy, and minimize texture.
Think of it like teamwork: you prepare your skin, and I elevate it with professional prep and technique.
What to Do 1–7 Days Before Your Appointment
1. Keep Your Skin Hydrated
Soft, plump skin = flawless glam.
Make sure you’re:
Drinking water consistently
Moisturizing morning and night
Avoiding anything that dries out your skin (strong toners, alcohol-heavy products)
Hydration is one of the biggest factors in how smooth your foundation looks.
2. Exfoliate 2–3 Days Before (Not the Day Of!)
Light exfoliation removes dry patches and helps makeup apply evenly.
Do:
Research what type of exfoliant is best for your skin type
Use a gentle exfoliant 2–3 days before
Don’t:
Try new exfoliants
Exfoliate the morning of your appointment (can cause redness or peeling)
3. Maintain Your Regular Skincare Routine
Stick with what your skin already knows.
Avoid suddenly adding:
Retinol
Strong actives
Peels
New serums or moisturizers
New products can cause irritation, breakouts, or pilling under makeup.
4. Groom Brows, Dermaplane, or Wax Ahead of Time
If you get brow shaping or facial hair removal:
Do it 24–48 hours before your appointment
Never the same day; freshly waxed skin is too sensitive for makeup
This keeps redness down and helps makeup sit smoothly.
What to Do the Morning Of Your Appointment
1. Arrive With a Fresh, Clean Face
Please come with no makeup or SPF on.
SPF is amazing for daily life, but some formulas can create flashback in photos or interfere with makeup products.
2. Apply a Light Moisturizer Only
On the morning of your appointment:
✔ Cleanse
✔ Apply a light moisturizer
✘ Avoid oils
✘ Avoid thick creams
✘ Avoid serums that pill
✘ Avoid SPF (if you're taking photos)
A simple, lightweight moisturizer gives me the perfect base to work with.
3. Light Lip Care
Do:
Apply a thin layer of lip balm
Drink water
Gently exfoliate lips the night before if they’re dry
Don’t:
Apply thick lip masks (they can cause lipstick to slide off)
4. Avoid Touching or Picking Your Skin
Any irritation, redness, or flakiness will show through makeup.
If you wake up with a blemish…leave it alone! I can conceal it much more cleanly than if it’s been picked.
What Not To Do Before Your Appointment
To avoid makeup issues, please avoid:
Applying heavy skincare
Trying new products
Over-exfoliating
Using pore strips
Doing any last-minute waxing
Applying makeup before your appointment
Using SPF for flash photography sessions
Applying Vaseline or heavy balms on the face or lips
These can cause pilling, patchiness, or texture issues.
Final Thoughts: I’ll Handle the Rest
Once you arrive, I take care of:
Full skin prep
Hydration
Smoothing
Priming
Product layering
Makeup longevity techniques
All you need to do is follow this simple pre-appointment routine, show up fresh-faced, and relax.
Together, we’ll create glam that looks flawless all day—and photographs beautifully.
Want to see examples of soft glam, natural beauty, and event makeup?
✨ Explore my portfolio to view my recent looks.
Planning a special occasion, photoshoot, or bridal glam?
📩 Reach out for a personalized quote! I’d love to glam you.
