Prepare Your Skin For Halloween Makeup
Spooky season is in FULL swing and, for many of us, this means meticulously planning our Halloween costumes and *potentially* exploring special effects makeup.
While I am a huge proponent of going all out for Halloween – I am also a huge proponent of keeping your skin healthy and glowing, especially as we head into the holiday season.
Halloween makeup can really wow a crowd + take your costume from zero to 100. However, if your skin is not properly prepared and the makeup is not fully removed, it can leave behind unwanted effects on your skin.
I’m breaking down how you can prepare your skin for Halloween makeup, and ensure a glowing complexion through the end of the year.
How To Prep Your Skin For Halloween Makeup
Not only will prepping your skin for heavy Halloween makeup help avoid breakouts and irritation, but it will also make application easier and the makeup will actually sit better on your skin. It’s best to start prepping your skin at least 2 weeks in advance, to ensure optimal results {so, now 😉}.
Hydrate Your Skin
Hydration is *always* important, but in the 1-2 weeks leading up to Halloween {or makeup application} it is going to be essential. The more hydrated your skin is, the better your makeup application will look on your skin. Hydrated skin is less likely to show signs of dryness or flakiness, which can disrupt the look of your makeup and cause issues during application.
Exfoliate Your Skin
Exfoliating is another skincare step that *should* already be included in your routine, but in the weeks leading up to Halloween, it’s important to exfoliate your skin 2 or 3 times per week. Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells AND provides a smooth surface which lets products absorb into the skin - this allows the makeup to sit nicely on the surface of the skin.
I find myself reaching for the Mandelic Perfecting Polish when it comes to exfoliating: this scrub will provide you with noticeably smoother skin. Its ingredients work hard to eliminate bacteria and cellular buildup, making it the perfect product to add to your pre- and post-Halloween makeup routine.
How To Apply Halloween Makeup
On the day of your makeup application, there are a few steps I recommend following, to ensure your skin is protected and your makeup sits well all night long!
Wash Your Face
This one should be a given! Washing your face prior to makeup application will ensure you are starting with a clean slate and a fresh face. Rhonda Allison’s Pumpkin Cleanser is a great option, and not just because it fits with the Halloween theme. 😉
This cleanser provides an especially deep cleanse, and the beta-carotene and Vitamin A ingredients will provide antioxidant benefits to your skin. Bonus: The gentle pumpkin spice aroma - there’s truly no better way to get in the spooky spirit!
If you prefer something that feels a bit more soothing prior to makeup application, I love Rhonda Allisons’s Citrus Gel Cleanser. This cleanser provides a nice lather and foam on the skin, leaving your skin feeling squeaky clean, and the herbal essence in this product will work to calm any irritation of the skin, prior to your Halloween look.
I *always* recommend applying a protective base prior to makeup application, but it is especially important when heavy makeup is involved. Special effects makeup can be drying to the skin, so I would opt for a moisturizer or primer that will provide extra hydration as your first layer of protection underneath your makeup.
How To Remove Halloween Makeup
At the end of your night, before your candy coma hits, it’s important to make sure you’ve thoroughly removed your Halloween makeup look. This is typically a double-clean situation!
Deep Cleanse Your Face
It may take longer than your normal nightly face wash, but deep cleansing your face post-Halloween makeup is important to ensure any residue is removed from your face before going to bed.
I recommend starting with a cleanser to remove eye makeup first. This BeautyPrep Face Cleanser is an antioxidant-rich micellar cleansing water, that is designed to serve as a super-power eye makeup remover. It also doubles as a moisturizing facial cleanser. This product can hold its own against even the boldest of eye-makeup looks.
I am a huge fan of the double cleanse method {especially for makeup removal}. It works well to remove any and all makeup residue and turn your skin into an excellent base to absorb any other powerful skincare ingredients you might include in your routine.
My favorite double cleanse duo? Rhonda Allison’s Luxe Cleansing Balm and Citrus Gel Cleanser. & yes, they should be used in that order! The luxe cleansing balm is an oil-based product that will provide support for dry skin while working hard to remove any heavy makeup and build-up on the surface of the skin. It’s important to use this cleanser first in your routine to really remove as much of the makeup on your face as possible. You can follow with Rhonda Allison’s citrus cleanser for your second cleanser {I mentioned this cleanser earlier and the soothing benefits it offers your skin}. While it’s a great product for pre-application, it’s even better for makeup removal as it will work to soothe any irritation that the heavy makeup may have caused your skin.
Apply a Face Mask
After ensuring your makeup is fully removed and your face is cleansed, it’s time to add a little bit of rejuvenation back into your skin!
A face mask is the perfect way to end the night and to wake up the next morning with glowing skin, as per usual. My favorite Fall mask is the Pumpkin Enzyme mask, by none other than Rhonda Allison - shocking I know! While this product feels luxurious on the skin, its superpower will work hard to strip away any cellular buildup while delivering powerful antioxidants that your skin needs.
Masks are best applied with a mask brush applicator {especially after a night of heavy makeup}. Applying a face mask with a brush will help to eliminate any bacteria + further skin irritation {which is so important after heavy makeup application}. Additionally, a mask brush will help SAVE on the product + make the application process seamless. A win, win!
Once the mask is removed {after about 15-20 minutes}, your skin will look smoother, and be noticeably more vibrant!
Happy Halloween, my friends!