How to Layer Skincare and Makeup Without Pilling

One of the most frustrating things that can happen to you during makeup application is pilling. If you use chemical sunscreen, this is all too familiar to you, but pilling can happen without it, too. And when it does, no amount of tapping it with your sponge will fix it. It’s kind of like the wings of your eyeliner coming out uneven – there’s no fixing it, you can only make it worse.

You could wipe everything off and start again. But if you woke up 20 minutes earlier to let your chemical sunscreen fully sink in before applying moisturizer, which also needs time to dry, you simply have no time for this.

The best way around pilling is to prevent it altogether.

Pilling doesn’t come from bad products or a lack of skill. Rather, it happens when you combine different formulas that don’t mix well together, or when you don’t let products absorb (not all products absorb at the same speed). Pilling also happens when you layer products in the wrong order.

But if all of this sounds a bit complicated and/or overwhelming, don’t worry – because it’s not. This is what this article is all about; keep reading if you don’t want to deal with pilling.

What Causes Pilling?

When you use all different kinds of products, chances are that they won’t all get along. Not all types of products are made the same way or from the same ingredients. So you can have different emulsifiers/silicones/polymers clashing, which results in them balling up instead of blending as they’re supposed to.

And even if you do everything right, and pilling still happens, it could just be that you didn’t apply them correctly. For instance, if you layer too much of it or rush through your routine, nothing can settle, and the next product ends up dragging whatever’s underneath.

It can also be your skin type. If you have dry skin, products can grab onto dry patches and create little lumps. Oily skin, on the other hand, can make the layers roll right off.

And once the pilling starts, there’s really no way to fix it, and if you try to blend it away, you’ll only make it worse.

How to Apply Products in the Correct Order

If unsure, a good rule of thumb is to go from the thinnest texture to the thickest. But, obviously, it’s more complicated than that.

So, let’s go into the details:

Clean Skin

Start the whole routine with completely clean and dry skin.

If your skin gets oily during the night – which is completely normal, depending on your skin type – wash your face with a gentle, sulfate-free cleanser and pat it dry. If you wake up without any oiliness, all you need is some lukewarm water. No cleanser necessary.

Pro tip: Use disposable dry paper towels to dry your skin instead of using a hand towel.

Lightweight Treatments

The first step after cleansing is water-based serums and essences. Apply them straight to your bare skin so they can sink in properly. Now is also the time for eye creams, but make sure whatever you use is lightweight because you’ll also apply SPF to your eye area. If you have oily skin, you can skip this step because you may not need it.

Apply Chemical Sunscreen (Skip This Step if You Used Mineral Sunscreen)

If you use a chemical sunscreen, then you know it doesn’t work unless your skin fully absorbs it. Put an even layer on and let it set for about 15-20 minutes, depending on how much time your skin needs. If you don’t let it set or you apply it unevenly, your makeup will pill like crazy. Make sure you apply about ¼ of a teaspoon to get the full protection.

Moisturizer

Moisturizer will seal in hydration and prep your skin for makeup. Pick one that will work with your sunscreen and primer so nothing separates in clumps. Give it about 10 minutes to absorb.

Apply Mineral Sunscreen (Skip This Step if You Use Chemical Sunscreen)

Mineral sunscreen creates a physical shield, so it needs to sit on top of your skin. Apply it after your moisturizer has absorbed and let it settle for a few minutes.

Primer

Primer makes your skin smoother and helps your foundation last longer, but it needs to match your base. If you have a water-based primer, then you need a water-based foundation. The same goes for silicone-based products.

Apply a Thin Layer of Foundation

The foundation should be built up, so start with a thin layer. If you need more coverage, you can go in with a second layer, but it would be even better to just use concealer on places where you need it because you’ll end up with less product on your face.

Pro Tips to Prevent Pilling

Here are a few small habits that go a long way in keeping your makeup looking perfect:

• • Test the products beforehand – Some products work great on their own, but clash when you layer them. Try them out in your regular routine before wearing them to an event.
  • Exfoliation – Everyone wants a smooth surface, so don’t forget about exfoliation. Use a gentle chemical exfoliator twice a week (like 2% salicylic acid), and it’ll help your products apply evenly.
  • Store your products properly – If you like buying skincare or any products in bulk, you need to have a cool, dry place to store them all. Look for storage sheds for sale to get a great price/deal on a high-quality shed; this way, you’ll have a way to keep it all safe, organized, and away from temperature changes that go on inside the house.
  •  Don’t use too much silicones – Silicones are wonderful, but if you use too much of them, they can ball up on the skin. Stick to 1 or 2 products, not more.

Conclusion

When you look at all those photos in magazines, or as you see them on TV, all you see is smooth and perfect-looking makeup on models.

Now you know that it takes knowledge and skill to achieve that. It’s not just expensive products. In fact, even if you use all expensive/premium-quality products, you might still see messy results. And this comes to the products not combining well.

Your application technique requires order and patience while letting all the layers settle and get absorbed. Once you get the hang of it, and you do it a couple of times, it’ll become second nature.

No clumps in sight, just filtered skin and beautifully-smooth makeup that lasts all day long.

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