You're Doing It Wrong: Beauty Hacks for Combating Flaky Skin This Season

Get rid of dull skin with these steps

By Taylor Stephan Nov 17, 2015 11:55 PMTags
Jaime KingDavid Crotty/Patrick McMullan

Flaky skin is no big deal, said no one ever.

This is especially true since shedding skin is nearly impossible to camouflage under makeup. In fact, applying makeup over dull, dead skin only seems to make the problem worse. If this is happening to you, don't panic.

Celebs like Jaime King and Miranda Kerr know that the solution to regaining ownership of your skin lies in revising your skin-care hydration game. It is also important that you think of your makeup as an extension of your skin care.

By implementing some life-changing recommendations from celeb makeup artist Suzie Kim, your skin will be back to its well-hydrated, celeb-status glory in no time.

Buff Your Skin: The best thing you can do to combat of-the-moment flaky skin is to exfoliate away that shedding layer. For the job, Suzie enlists organic O.R.G Skincare Mineral Face Peel, which she said leaves skin baby-soft. "I do this right before my makeup when my skin gets super-flaky, and it makes a huge difference," assured the pro.

Start in Repair Mode: Nothing beats a good night's sleep and that same philosophy can be applied to happy, supple skin. The most important factor in flake-free skin is maintaining a moisturized layer that won't flake in the first place. At least once a week before bed, Suzie said to slather your face with a sleeping mask, like Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, for stay-put moisture. 

Steam Your Face: For super-dry skin days or for when you've been traveling between climates (especially during the holidays), you may need to add a steaming step into your pre- and post-makeup routine. The pro suggested investing in a personal facial steamer to place near your face at night for an extra boost of oxygen. Bonus: The expert also suggested using the device to blast your face for 20 to 30 seconds after makeup is set for a natural, dewy look. 

Get Serious About Moisturizing: When it comes to moisturizer, she suggested swapping your oil-free, summer version for a long-wear, hydration one like Murad Hydrodynamic Ultimate Moisture or Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream. "I always try to moisturize before my skin dries, like right after a hot steam shower," recommended the pro. As the last step before you start applying makeup, Suzie suggested priming the face with a skin mist like Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist that will help to lock in an all-day moisture hold.

Liquid Makeup Is Your Friend: For flaky skin, Suzie recommended liquid, cream, gel and water-based makeup over dry, powder products. "Try to look for products that are loaded with essential oils or plant-based oils like jojoba and coconut, which help maintain the skin's natural moisture level," she shared. As for powder makeup, the artist suggested using sparingly. Only if you need to, apply a refined powder, like Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Powder, to the oily T-zone area.

Add This to Your Foundation: Long-wear makeup has a tendency to dry up and flake on its own, which is not a good match for moisture-deprived, winter skin. To nix flaking, Suzie suggested mixing hydrating products in with foundation and concealer. Especially if your skin is chapped, skip primers that contain any type of silicone or dimethicone ingredients, dry out skin. Instead, opt for products rich in essential oil, like Hourglass No 28 Primer Serum, that smooth out skin texture and add a lasting glow.

Go Light on the Shimmer: "One of the most common issues I notice is that a lot of people continue to use heavy, shimmery eye shadows and blushes," warned the artist. The problem with powder-based shimmers is that they enhance the parched texture of the skin, drawing attention to dry lines. If you can't live without a little shimmer in your makeup repertoire, Suzie suggested mixing in a liquid highlighter, like Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer, in with your liquid foundation.