What goes first eyeliner or face makeup?

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Watch a makeup artist at work, and you'll notice there's a very strict order in which they apply different products. You'll likely see them apply eye shadow, liner, and mascara first before moving on to things like concealer, foundation, and blush. If you've ever wondered whether there's a rhyme or reason to that order or if it's just personal preference, then you're not alone. That's why we reached out to a couple of expert makeup artists to pose the question: Does it really matter which order you apply your makeup? More specifically, what about concealer and foundation? Those are two products that many people use almost interchangeably. Some start with concealer first and then pat foundation over the top, and others prefer to go with foundation first and spot-conceal after their base is applied. What's the right way?

Trick question: There isn't a right or wrong when it comes to makeup. Everyone knows that, right? You do you. But with that being said, there are a few (of what we will now call) best practices, or tips and tricks you can use to ensure the best possible result. It's in that vein of thinking that experts recommend a specific application order.

The Pros of Foundation First

"I always start with a light layer of foundation everywhere except the eyelids in which case I like to use an eye primer," says Min Min Ma. "By applying foundation first, it minimizes excessive use of concealer." As she puts it, the less face product you can use, the more natural the skin appears.

Meet the Expert

• Min Min Ma is a celebrity makeup artist. Her clients include Mia Wasikowska, Hailee Steinfeld, Lauren Santo Domingo, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jared Leto. She is based in New York City.
• Stevi Christine is a beauty advisor, makeup and eyebrow artist, and beauty brand consultant with over a decade of professional experience. She is also the founder of the eyebrow line Naturally by Stevi Christine.

Stevi Christine agrees. "How I see it is the overall look is achieved with foundation applied first." Then apply concealer "where you feel needs a bit more coverage" like on the under-eye area or on dark areas and pigmentation. If you do concealer first, Christine says it may move once you put foundation over the top, which defeats the purpose and requires even more product. This "will tend to make your makeup application a bit heavy in appearance."

Byrdie Tip

When working on the under-eye area, try mixing concealer with a bit of foundation to dilute the consistency.

Tom Ford

Waterproof Foundation and Concealer

$87.00

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Foundation Picks

As for the particular formulas that makeup artists recommend, Min Min Ma likes this luxurious pick (which can be used as a foundation or concealer). "My go-to blemish concealer is Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation and Concealer. The texture is matte and has great coverage but looks very natural. For under-eye darkness, I like creamier consistencies such as Cinema Secrets Concealer ($40) and Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer ($30). How foundation and concealer perform also greatly depends on how you set it. I love YSL Poudre Compact Radiance Perfection Universelle ($48), Charlotte Tilbury Air Brush Flawless Finish Skin Perfecting Micro-Powder ($45), and Mally Poreless Face Defender ($28)."

Laura Mercier

Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20

$46.00

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As for Christine, she says she's also "obsessed" with the Tom Ford foundation, which leaves a dewy finish. She also recommends this tinted moisturizer from Laura Mercier. "I personally use a tinted moisturizer year-round, because this way I’m guaranteed to have SPF," she says. For concealer, she likes Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer ($70), which is rich and creamy and a favorite among Byrdie editors.

The Proper Order

As for the rest of your makeup application order, Christine is quick to note that "makeup is similar to painting—there’s no ‘proper order.' Yet coming from an artist who believes less is more and believes in accentuating your personal features, I start with filling in eyebrows, as this not only shapes the face, but it also provides definition to the eye area." From there, she goes to eye makeup. "This is especially great when creating a bold eye and or smoky eye (in case any eye shadow, eyeliner, or mascara falls or flakes, you won’t need to reapply any face makeup)." Only after these steps are complete does she move on to foundation and then concealer. "I think if your eyes and eyebrows are done, you tend to be less heavy-handed and use foundation and concealer sparingly. Plus, I personally love freckles, so if you have freckles, I make sure not to hide them."

The same goes for Min Min Ma, who concentrates heavily on skincare before adding even a touch of makeup. "I start prepping the client’s cleansed skin first with Lilah B. Aglow Face Mist ($48), and as it dries midway, I massage Chanel Hydra Beauty Flash Balm ($55) onto the skin, " she says. "If the client has an oily complexion or needs the makeup to last extra long, I also apply YSL All Hours Primer ($58) especially to the T-zone." Next, she applies either Kate Somerville's Goat Milk De-Puffing Eye Balm ($38) or the brand's Wrinkle Warrior's Eye Visible Dark Circle Eraser ($60), layering over it with G.M. Collin Instant Radiance Anti Aging Eye Patch ($50). "This step is great to treat under-eye puffiness and darkness, while the eye patches catch any eye shadow droplets from the makeup application." After eyes, she moves on to face makeup (i.e., foundation and then concealer). But there's a catch: "Do mascara last since face powder or blush can easily get caught onto the lashes."

So there you have it. In the class of makeup best practices 101, makeup artists recommend applying eye makeup first before moving on to face makeup with foundation first and then (and only then) concealer.

Aside from easier clean-up, DiStasio says that when she applies eyeshadow first, her final look ends up being lighter and more natural, especially when she’s going for the no-makeup makeup look. “When you do your face first, you end up wanting to clean your canvas, wipe off all imperfections and end up losing focus that you don’t need to perfect everything — imperfections are beautiful,” says DiStasio. “When you play up the eyes first, you’ll realize you don’t need ten pounds of concealer, but just a little bit of coverage.” She explains that when you place the focus on the eyes, you re-adjust how much foundation or concealer you think you need. 

Another reason the makeup artists are on the eyeshadow first team? It gives them the freedom to experiment with their look and build up or emphasize different features as they work. “If I’m going to do a smoky eye, I’ll allow myself to build it up gradually rather than putting black all over off the bat,” says DiStasio. “Let’s say I decide to do a red lip and add more blush, I’ll leave the eye on the lighter, smoky side. But, if I decide on a nude lip, I’ll amp up the eye some more.”  

The Argument: Apply Foundation Before Eyeshadow

While both makeup artists are on board with the eyeshadow first technique, I’m here to pose a counterargument. I wear eyeshadow day in and day out — mostly of the glitter variety — and I’ve never once done my eyeshadow before my foundation. My reasoning? It’s simply unnecessary. My everyday eyeshadow is either going to be a light neutral wash across my lid (maybe from my bronzer or blush palette) or a densely packed glitter pigment that I apply with my finger. Not only is it easier (and much quicker) for me to do my eyeshadow and bronzer all at once, but I rarely find myself dealing with any fallout. And if I do, I’ll simply wipe it away with a fan-like brush, use a tweezer to pick up glitter pigments or gently (I repeat: gently) pick up fallout with some tape. Easy as can be. 

Another reason I like to work on my face first? It seems more natural to work from larger to smaller. I love beauty and can confidently navigate my way around a makeup bag, but I’m not a professional makeup artist. I find it a tad difficult to visualize what I want my eyeshadow to look like when my complexion is bare. Having my brows shaped and my concealer applied makes it much easier to decipher how high up my eyeshadow should go and how thick I want my eyeliner or shadow to be below my lash line. 

What’s more, if I do eyeshadow first and then have to go back and apply my under-eye concealer (which I use a lot of), I find myself messing up my eyeshadow, smudging my lines and messing just about everything up. Maybe it’s just my personal preference, but I find the foundation first method to be way easier. To each their own, right?