1 You Have to Moisturize Really Well

Shimmery makeup can cover up a lot of skin issues, but matte cosmetics typically enhance texture if skin isn't properly prepped. For example, dry skin is only going to look worse when you put matte makeup on it because flat pigments cling to dry patches. That being said, you can easily get around this by doing some mega moisturizing before you use any matte products. Using a nourishing moisturizer like CeraVe helps maintain skin barrier hydration all day long. You may even want to use a lightweight face oil underneath as well. The makeup should soak up excess oil without making you look too shiny or overly dry.

Here is a quick prep routine to ensure your skin is ready:

2 Don’t Choose a Cheek Product with Minerals

The minerals in makeup are often what give products extra shimmer and shine. So if you want a truly matte look on your cheekbones, make sure your blush, bronzer, or highlighter is free of minerals. When you apply it, you also want to make sure you use a large, soft blush brush to get the product on just right without creating harsh lines.

3 Wear a Dot of Foundation under Your Eye Shadow

A small bit of foundation under your eye color can help keep matte shadow locked in place and ensure the smooth finish you want. The foundation also evens out the skin tone on your eyelids and gives matte eye shadow something to adhere to. You don’t need too much, or the effect will be just the opposite and cause unwanted creasing.

4 Try a Velvet Matte Foundation

When you apply drop dead gorgeous foundation, you want a smooth finish, which is hard to get with a flat, heavy matte product. Instead of traditional matte, choose a velvet matte foundation—readily available at beauty retailers like Sephora—which still gives you the look you want, but also ensures that your skin looks smooth and flawless. To ensure that you have a foundation that works, look for silicone in the ingredients. If needed, you can add some translucent powder to shiny spots throughout the day.

| Feature | Recommended Finish | Application Key |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Face Base | Velvet Matte | Moisturized skin base |
| Eyelids | Powder Matte | Dot of foundation |
| Lips | Hydrating Matte | Exfoliated lip scrub prep |

5 Use a Lip Scrub before You Put on Any Matte Lipstick

If you aren’t careful, drop dead gorgeous lipstick in a matte finish can make your lips look really dry, even if they aren’t. If, by chance, you have even a bit of dryness on your lips, the matte product will make it look even worse. To prevent this, use a lip scrub to get rid of dead skin before you apply your matte lipstick. Iconic beauty brands like MAC Cosmetics offer great lip scrub options and matching lip pencils. You might want to use a lip pencil to define your lips since matte color isn’t shiny.

Follow these quick lip prep steps:

6 You Don’t Have to Go All Matte

Matte makeup looks great, but that doesn’t mean you have to use it all over your face. Try using just matte lipstick or trying the trend only on your eyes while keeping your skin glowing. As you get used to the look and how to get it right, you can experiment with balancing matte and radiant elements or even going matte all over your face.

7 Pay Attention to the Rest of Your Face to Make Matte Perfect

Makeup experts say that drop dead gorgeous makeup in a matte finish will only look perfect if it’s done with the right features on your face. That means filling in your brows and making sure you wear black mascara on your eyelashes. You might also consider whitening your teeth so your matte lipstick looks its absolute best.

Have you tried any kinds of matte makeup? Will you give it a try after reading this? Share your thoughts in the comments below!