Easy Anti-aging Hack: How to Apply Sunscreen Over Makeup

Smitha Deepak
by Smitha Deepak
18 Materials
$15
20 Minutes
Easy

When it comes to preventing visible signs of aging, there’s no better ingredient out there than SPF.


Reapplying sunscreen can be tricky if you wear makeup because the SPF wears off after 2 hours.


In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to apply sunscreen over makeup so that you get the full protection it offers.

Tools and materials:

  • Face moisturizer
  • Lip moisturizer
  • Eye cream
  • Face sunscreen - SPF 50
  • Primer
  • Foundation
  • Makeup sponge
  • Concealer
  • Assorted makeup brushes
  • Translucent powder
  • Clear brow gel
  • Brow pencil
  • Eyeshadow primer
  • Eyelash curler
  • Mascara
  • Blush palette
  • Liquid lipstick
  • SPF 55 face mist
Prepping face

1. Prep your face

I always start with moisturizer. Apply a generous amount on your face and neck, rubbing it in with clean hands.


Next, nourish your lips with a lip moisturizer.

Applying lip moisturizer

Then apply your favorite eye cream and massage it into the skin under both eyes.

Applying eyecream

2. Apply sunscreen

Once the moisture is absorbed into the skin, apply sunscreen.


It’s recommended to use at least ¼ teaspoon of sunscreen for your face and neck.


My sunscreen has a slight tint to it, so sometimes I go without foundation and concealer. That’s up to you.

Applying sunscreen

It feels like a lot on the skin right now, but after letting it sit, it will absorb some and feel much better.

Sunscreen applied to skin

Can you see the difference once it’s soaked in?

Primed skin

3. Apply primer

Before moving on to your makeup, apply primer. This will even out your skin for a flawless canvas.

Applying foundation

4. Apply foundation

Next up, apply your foundation with your fingers.


It’s important to note that even if your makeup contains SPF, there’s no way to ensure that you are getting enough coverage.


So, be sure to apply sunscreen as its own step!

Blending the foundation

Now, blend the foundation completely.

Blending the foundation

5. Cover dark spots

With a concealer that matches your skin tone or slightly lighter, cover any dark areas of your skin, such as under the eyes.

Covering dark spots

Then, dab it in with a makeup brush.

Contouring

6. Contour

Use a darker shade of concealer to contour your face.


Apply several dots of this concealer at the circumference of your face, at your cheekbones and jawline, like this:

Contouring

Then, blend it out using a damp sponge.


The foundation left on the sponge from step 4 will mix with the concealer to create a seamless blend. 

Setting makeup

7. Set your makeup

Apply setting powder with a dry sponge or a brush.

Setting makeup

8. Shape and perfect your brows

Using a clear, brow gel, brush your eyebrows.

Combing brows

Then, use an eyebrow pencil to fill in any sparse areas.

Filling in brows

9. Use eye primer

Now, apply eye primer to your eyelids to even out the skin tone.

Applying eye primer

Then blend it with a brush.

Applying eye primer

10. Treat your eyelashes

Next, curl your upper lashes.

Curling lashes

Then, follow up with mascara on your top and bottom lashes.

Applying mascara

11. Apply blush

Apply blush at the highest part of your cheekbones.

Adding blush

12. Add lip color

For the last step of makeup, apply a liquid lipstick in your favorite color.

Adding lip color

Here’s the whole makeup look with sunscreen applied underneath:

Finished makeup look

13. Apply an SPF face mist after 2 hours

My best advice when it comes time to reapply SPF after 2 hours of wear is to use a sun protectant spray.


To reach the recommended amount of ¼ teaspoon of SPF, spray the face mist generously for a total of 4 times.


That being said, every spray bottle is different, so I suggest that you measure it out with a teaspoon for the first time.

Applying SPF mist

Don’t worry because, as you can see here, the SPF face mist will not leave a white cast or a shiny finish.

How to apply sunscreen over makeup

How to apply sunscreen over makeup

I hope you found this tutorial for how to apply sunscreen over makeup to be helpful.


For more makeup tips, tricks and ideas, check out my Simple Makeup Tutorial for Hooded Eyes,


Products used:

Suggested materials:
  • Face moisturizer
  • Lip moisturizer
  • Eye cream
See all materials

The author may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.

Comments
Join the conversation
 3 comments
  • Heather Heather on Feb 10, 2023

    Nice tutorial, but your skin is far too pretty to cover up with makeup in my opinion.

    • Kay Kay on Feb 12, 2023

      i agree Heather, her skin is very nice. I believe if you must use makeup use it but don’t overdo it as what you put on your skin gets absorbed in plus you don’t know what’s in half of the makeup out there to. Also a little goes a long way. I see some women with make up that thick it gives a caked on look. To me that is not very pleasing. Overall it was a nice tutorial though

  • L L on Jul 16, 2023

    What Kajol or eyeliner do you find to be most reliable

Next