GIRLS, we have the tea on the skincare routine behind perfect foundation and surprisingly, every product is seriously affordable too.
MUA Ellen Porter is stunnnnnnning, and always has the most flawless makeup. So naturally, when she shared the exact skincare routine she uses before her foundation, we were taking notes immediately.
STEP 1
Ellen starts off by applying the Byoma Hydrating Milky Toner which if you didn’t know, is a fab dupe for Rhode’s Cleansing Milk.
She says it’s very important to apply this with the warmth of your hands (not with a cotton pad), and push the toner in.
STEP 2
Next up, is a hydrating serum, and Ellen uses Revolution’s hyaluronic acid serum which is only €11.00 in Boots – and this is turning out to be a lot less spenny than we thought it would be.
She says that this will draw moisture into the skin and plumps the surface, which will prevent your foundation from looking patchy and dull.
STEP 3
The third step is all about moisturising. Ellen says not to forget the eye cream, as the skin under your eyes is delicate and needs as much love as the rest of your face. Ellen swears by the Elave Eye Rescue Serum (€22.95) and for her face, she uses the Embryolisse Lait-Crème moisturiser (€27.00).
And the trick with this? Stop here, and let your moisturiser sink in properly before going any further. Ellen says you should wait 2-3 minutes, and it’s important that you do not apply your primer if your skin is still tacky.
STEP 4
Ellen says not to forget about the SPF.
Her SPF of choice is the Elave Daily Skin Defence (€24.95), which she says is sooo good for under foundation – and who are we to argue with her and her flawless makeup!?
STEP 5
Last but not least, don’t forget your primer.
Ellen says that primer isn’t one size fits all, and it depends on your skin type.
If you have oily skin, you’ll need either a pore minimising primer or a mattifying primer, and for dry skin, you’ll want a hydrating luminous primer. If you have combination skin, you’ll want to use a mattifying primer on the parts of your face that get oily, and a hydrating primer where your skin is dry.
And there you have it girlies, your ultimate pre makeup skincare routine for hot girl summer 2026 x
