10 Tips for Wearing Makeup With a Face Mask

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After a year of living in them, we’ve finally figured out how to wear face mask makeup.

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Header Image: Photo of two disposable face masks with the text

Wearing face masks can clog pores and cause breakouts, so it’s important to take those extra skincare steps and perfect your makeup routine.

The good news is: that it is absolutely still possible to wear makeup while wearing a mask.

With some minor tweaks and adjustments, your makeup can still look flawless, even during a global pandemic.

Related Reading: The Best Makeup For People Who Hate Makeup

10 Tips for Wearing Makeup With a Face Mask

1. Skin Prep

Masks can lead to clogged pores and breakouts if you don’t take preventative measures.

Make sure you’re washing your face daily, morning and night, and follow up with a good moisturizer that meets your specific skincare needs.

After moisturizer, do a couple of extra steps for your nighttime routine. I use a hydrating face serum and brightening under-eye cream. If I have breakouts, I use a drying lotion for spot correcting.

Make sure to wash your face and use a moisturizer every time prior to applying your makeup.

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2. Don’t Forget to Prime!

It can be very frustrating when your makeup rubs off on your face mask.

To prevent this, don’t skip out on priming your skin before makeup. It’s a vital step for anyone who wants their makeup last all day and night.

Besides helping extend the wear you get out of your makeup, primers can also help vanish pores, control shine, and smooth, and hydrate skin.

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3. Keep Foundation Light

Since no one is seeing your whole face if you’re wearing a mask, try to keep your foundation application light and minimal.

If you need the extra coverage, focus on adding more concealer to specific areas, like under your eyes or on blemishes.

If you still want to add foundation after, try going in with a BB cream, CC cream, or tinted moisturizer/sunscreen. They can be built up to give the same amount of coverage but they feel lighter on the skin.

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4. Longwear Blush & Highlighter

To add some contour, blush and highlighter are my go-to’s. Make sure they are long-wearing products so they don’t transfer onto your mask.

Cream products tend to stay in place better and for a longer amount of time.

Rose shades are ideal for blush. For highlighter, I prefer gold and rose gold hues.

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Related Reading: The 5 Best Drugstore Highlighters for the Glowy Skin of Your Dreams

5. Bold Brows

Now is the time to experiment with your brows!

While wearing a mask, your brows are definitely going to stand out. Make sure you take time to groom your brows and fill them in properly during your makeup routine.

I like using a waterproof pencil, then going in with a tinted brow gel to thicken them up and give them that hair-like, messy look.

You can even use a clear gel to ensure they stay in place.

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6. Focus on Eyes

While wearing a face mask, your eyes are going to pop, so why not play around with eye makeup?

Lately, I’ve been applying my highlighter all over my lid as my shadow. It really brightens up and makes your eyes look bigger. Also, it looks super cute when your eyes and highlighter match.

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7. Curl Those Lashes

Don’t forget those lashes… bottom and top! Mascara makes a huge difference and really opens up your eyes, especially when you don’t neglect those bottom lashes.

First, go in with an eyelash curler to curl your lashes and prep them for mascara. Then go in with your favorite mascara.

I have a couple of favorites and like to layer them for the perfect combination. Also, if you want long-lasting lashes, use waterproof mascara, especially on the bottom lashes to avoid falling out and flaking.

Related Reading: The 5 Best Drugstore Waterproof Mascaras for Smudge-Proof Lashes

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8. Neutral Lips

Since you’re keeping your eyes bright, try to choose neutral lip colors. I recommend going with a lip balm with or without some color to avoid it transferring onto the mask.

Also, wearing a lip stain or liquid lipstick shouldn’t transfer, will last all night, and feel comfortable under your mask.

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9. Set & Stay

To keep your makeup staying in place, don’t forget to set it! This will help with the transferring of makeup onto your face mask.

I use a setting spray all throughout my makeup routine. I like to spray once after primer, then again before I set my face with pressed powder, and finally when I’m done with my makeup. This ensures it stays on all day and night.

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10. Take It Off

The last and most important step is to take off your makeup at the end of the night. Sleeping in makeup is horrible for your skin and can cause breakouts or dullness.

I like to use makeup wipes and micellar water to ensure I get all the makeup and grime off. Then, I follow up with my evening skincare routine!

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Related Reading: The 5 Best Drugstore Cleansing Balms You Need to Try

Photo of a woman wearing a sweater vest and a face mask, from Sora Shimazaki from Pexels.
Pexels

Bonus: Face Masks

You knew this was coming; I couldn’t wrap up a post about makeup and face masks without giving you my top three picks for masking up right now!

For Exercising

Slate grey athletic mask from Athleta.
Click to buy at Athleta

These are my favorite face masks to wear to the gym! They stay in place while you’re working out and are designed for an active lifestyle.

They are quick-drying, breathable, lightweight, and have adjustable ear loops. These masks also come in lots of different colors and you can buy them in packs of two!

For Everyday

Black and white print daisy mask from Lucy Paris.
Click to buy at Lucy Paris

Lucy Paris makes the cutest face masks for everyday wear and they don’t rub off your makeup! They have so many different colors and patterns to choose from.

This floral daisy print one is my favorite, but I also have the plaid one which is another fun option.

The elastic ear loops are adjustable for the most comfortable fit and have an extra piece of fabric just for your nose. For every mask you buy, Lucy Paris donates another one as well, so you can feel good about buying from them.

For Nighttime

Sleek black face mask from Princess Polly.

For going out or any other nighttime festivities, black face masks are essential. They look super sleek and they go with every outfit!

This one is one of my favorites because it’s super soft and comfortable to wear. If you’re not into the plain black, Amazon also has tons of cute patterns; like different animal prints and butterflies.

Button that reads Buy from Amazon.com

Which tip for wearing makeup with a face mask was your favorite?

Do you still wear makeup with your masks? What are your favorite masks to wear? Let me know in the comments below!

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1 thought on “10 Tips for Wearing Makeup With a Face Mask”

  1. Great ideas on wearing makeup and skin care when wearing masks. I would like to point out that the CDC for some time now does not approve of fabric masks. In medical buildings they are not allowed. When I need to enter I wear N95 made in usa/k95 made in China. Just for your fyi. Thank you again on your ideas.

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