Makeup gone skincare

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Actually Good Things is a weekly newsletter with product recs and irreverent commentary from a non-robot person.

This week—while filing taxes and reading Bad Bunny’s entire Wikipedia page—I’m telling you about my favorite skincare products from makeup brands…

and makeup products from skincare brands…

and skin-first brands that make killer hybrid products…

and variations of these.

My pre-glam skincare is very different from my everyday lineup. I need products to prep my skin with moisture and create a smooth canvas that locks onto makeup and prevents creasing, caking, and flaking.

Here are actually good things I reach for from brands that know what they’re doing.*

Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury, queen of the makeup artists, has some truly iconic makeup products—Pillow Talk lipstick, for one. But the brand’s skincare line slaps too.

The Magic Cream is, well…magic. It douses skin with moisture so it’s plump and smooth for hours under makeup. (The Magic Body Cream is also clutch—sometimes, I use it on my face because the formulas are very similar.)

I like the plumping facial oil as a base for dewy glam looks. And this complexion enhancer is incredible on its own or mixed with foundation.

(Btw, I often link to mini sizes of products because I think they’re more practical when trying something out.)

e.l.f.

People swear by e.l.f. Face Cream for makeup prep. The brand’s entire Holy Hydration line is actually pretty dope—consider getting the minis set.

Power Grip Primer is another fan fave—the tens of thousands of five-star Amazon reviews speak for themselves.

POV Beauty

I’ve tried almost everything from POV Beauty. This is TikToker Mikayla Nogueira’s brand, and the gal knows skin prep.

I start with Drench It (a plumping milk), then apply Drip It (a dew-making serum), and moisturize with Whip It. For full glam, I prime with Glaze It. (There’s a Bop-It joke in here somewhere.)

If you’re curious, I suggest getting the minis set to try it all.

Fenty

From Fenty, I like Fat Water for makeup prep (the hydrating one—not the original pore-refining one).

And the Dew N Plump Nectar creates a hydrated, slightly grippy base without feeling sticky.

Essence

I recently tried the wonderfully cheap all-over face primer and under-eye primer balm from Essence and was thoroughly impressed with both.

One/Size by Patrick Starrr

This moisturizer is really lightweight and fast-absorbing. The ingredients list is pretty simple if you care about that (I personally don’t).

One/Size makes the best setting sprays on the market, IMO. I like Powder Melt because it keeps me looking dewy, but On ‘Til Dawn will do you right if you prefer a matte finish.

Rhode

Rhode’s whole ethos is basically to help you get a “glazed donut” complexion so you can achieve the coveted “clean-girl makeup” look of its founder, Hailey Bieber.

The products are generously sized, reasonably priced, and for the most part, do what they promise. I like the Glazing Milk, Barrier Butter moisturizer, and Pocket Blush.

Shout out to a few all-star hybrids

This Korean skin perfecter starts out white and adapts to your skin tone. It’ll make your skin look all-around better but not really like you’re wearing makeup.

Saie’s Glowy Super Gel is a complexion-enhancing makeup base that’s also good on its own.

Tower 28’s serum concealer is a go-to in my makeup kit, and the shade range is better than most.

*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What I’m reading lately:

• The Colony, a novel by Annika Norlin

• The Cut | Why Pilates Keeps Pissing People Off

• Business Insider | The Vanishing 16-Year-Old Driver

What I’ve written lately:

• The Daily Beast | The Future of Hot Hair Tools at CES 2026

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