Whether it’s wrinkles, acne scars, or enlarged pores, everyone has some texture on their skin—and (unless you think you have Instagram filters) no amount of makeup can make it disappear. But if used correctly, you can make sure the texture doesn’t show up, explains Emily Amick, a makeup artist in New York City.
“I’m very strong about the tent having access to what it can do for you and what you’re getting yourself, because the images that we see in glossy magazines or iPhones are published outside of credit,” says Amick. That is, if you were to see the same skin on a person, the texture would be much more visible. “It’s important to keep in mind and realistic expectations of what you can achieve at home and what an artist can do for you. People are like: “How do I keep everything hidden so I don’t fall into my eyes. lines?’ I’m like, ‘You can’t. No one can. I will do this.’
While you can’t camouflage the texture (which is nice!) because it’s skin texture completely normal and natural), if that’s what bothers you, you can fix it by not accentuating it with your makeup. To do this, Amick applies three golden rules for creating skin texture.
How to apply makeup for textured skin
1) Prioritize prep
“Skin care is great, make sure you wash your face every night, moisturize well, and use your active ingredients correctly. Retinoids and exfoliants (like alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids) are the best bet for fine lines, wrinkles, and acne. When it comes to pores, you can’t make them smaller (it’s genetics), but keeping them clean and gunk-free with these actives can make a difference in how they look.
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment – $14.00
This gel is a great retinoid to start with, as it’s one of the most powerful OTC options (and, bonus! It’s available at the drugstore). Retinoids are Vitamin-A derivatives that accelerate cell turnover and stimulate collagen production, which helps smooth pre-existing tissue and prevent new lines and wrinkles from forming.
2. Use primary makeup
“I’m not a big primer person, but if someone has a lot of texture, really noticeable pores, and the like, there are primers that you can use for that short-term fix just for the day.” said Amick.
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“Primers have a very silky consistency that can disrupt the appearance of fine lines and pores,” makeup artist Jenny Patinkin previously told Well+Well. Makeup artists agree that these formulas can help the appearance of smooth skin texture, as they prevent foundation from settling into pores.
Tatcha Silk Canvas Protective Primer – $24.00 to $54.00
Amick loves this texture from Tatcha’s soothing primer. “It’s almost like a resin…it’s really good for the pores,” he says. Living up to its name, this primer uses silk sheets to keep skin smooth. It also protects against environmental stressors and a complex of three anti-aging nutrients for soft, youthful skin.
Indeed Labs Nanoblur Cream – $16.00
If you have really oily skin, a mattifying primer is your best friend. “I will love it now,” said Amick. Its technology minimizes the appearance of pores and helps to suppress oil production, giving you smooth and transparent wipes that you can use for the rest of your routine.
3. Remember: Less is more
“A little bit of any exercise will look better than putting a lot of something in your face that will then move and click and do.” [texture] It’s much more noticeable,” says Amick. “If you have a lot of wrinkles or scarring or a lot of acne, you want to find a product that you can use as little as possible and enhance it. If you have a lot of wrinkles under your eyes, you don’t want to use the amount of concealer you see girls on TikTok using. I’ll just add that because and but.
Instead of layer concealer, just dab. And if you also want to camouflage the discoloration, use a little color corrector first.
“You just want to use a little bit of color corrector and a little bit of concealer where there’s doubt and stop there,” she says. “I like a really deep coverage foundation that you only have to use a tiny bit. Danessa Myricks Vision Cream Cover ($28) is a good example of that. Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer ($34) is a great example of that, but you have to use it sparingly.”
Exa High Fidelity Balancing Color Corrector – $27.00
This color corrector comes in six different shades so you can pick the best one for your skin tone and skin care. Red, peach, pink, and orange all work to balance the purple tones on the cuticles (think: bags and acne scars) with green and yellow camouflage blush.
Danessa Myricks Vision Cream Cover – $28.00
Available in 28 shades, it’s a great concealer-foundation hybrid for your evening complex. Just remember to work road less than you do—a few quick dabs can do the trick.
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