There’s nothing worse than catching a glimpse of yourself during the day to find that your makeup is either gone or looks like you spread it on with your eyes closed, or even worse, getting home after a long day to find that underneath your foundation, a pimple has appeared! Acne-prone skin can be a nightmare for makeup-wearers, especially when your makeup gets patchy and seems to rub off around affected areas. Here are some easy tips to make sure you look your best all day long. Clean your skin! It’s easy to forget with the hustle and bustle of the morning, but keeping up a routine of cleansing the skin is incredibly important to regulate pH levels and have a clean canvas to work your makeup magic on. Washing your face with cold water before you apply any serums, moisturisers or toners will shrink your pores, ensuring the products you put on your face won’t seep into them throughout the day. On top of your regular routine, gently exfoliating once or twice a week will keep skin fresh and help deter makeup from flaking or caking up. Find a moisturiser that is oil free, and use toner on your skin before you apply any moisturiser. This will assist in keeping your face from getting oily underneath your makeup. Make-up not Fake-up Although it may seem like applying more makeup will hide your acne, the old adage “less is more” definitely applies here! Not only does wearing more makeup lead to caking, but it stops your skin from breathing, which leads to clogged pores and - you guessed it - breakouts. For acne prone skin, it's important to find makeup that effectively covers up your acne, but also doesn’t become a barrier over your skin. Applying a primer before you start your make up regime will help keep everything in place, and also aid in smoothing over acne affected areas. Avoid thick foundations or heavy layers of powder, and instead opt for using a concealer and “BB cream” (tinted moisturiser). This creates a light base that hides blemishes but also keeps skin hydrated and aerated during the day. Applying a matte powder over the top of this will help keep makeup from sliding off during the day or becoming shiny. Another tip is to wash your makeup brushes once a week. Brushes can accumulate oil and dirt, and brushing that over your face is going to do more harm than good! Keeping your brushes clean means less ways your pores can get clogged up, resulting in less acne. Find a time you won’t need to use them (overnight is a good idea) and wash them using the cleanser you use for your face. Make sure you get all the makeup residue out of the brushes before you leave them out to dry. Wash it off! Preparation doesn’t just mean before you put on your makeup - it’s an ongoing process! The most important thing to remember about makeup is that it does clog your skin, so leaving it on overnight is a huge mistake, no matter how tired you are!! Using a gentle cleanser at night, wash all your makeup off, then use a toner and moisturiser again before bed. Keeping up the routine at night is integral to having a clean, healthy base for your makeup to sit on during the day, and washing off all your makeup helps to keep breakouts from occurring in your sleep. Being vigilant about your skincare routine is the best way to prepare your face for makeup and goes a long way to keeping it looking fresh throughout the day!