While many of us look forward to the fall season because it means lower temperature and humidity, it can also take a toll on our skin, and in turn, how our makeup applies. Dryness, flakiness, itchiness, and dull skin. We've got the perfect products to help ease the effects of the fall and winter months!

Our team of beauty experts has created this blog to answer their most frequently asked skin prep and skincare questions to help you combat those dreaded fall and winter skincare woes!

At Home Skincare Tips to Help Prevent Dullness and Dryness

At Home Skincare Tips to Help Prevent Dullness and Dryness

We know there is no perfect product that works for everyone and every skin type, but our skincare experts have compiled a list of Dos and Don'ts below to help take care of your skin during the cooler and drier months.

Fall and Winter Skincare DOs:

  • Consider using a humidifier at night and in your office to ensure the air doesn't become too dry
  • Do turn down the temperature when you shower
  • Drink more water than normal
  • Consider adding a body and facial oil to your routine

Fall and Winter Skincare Don'ts:

  • Do not over-exfoliate! This can damage your skin and cause it to become sensitized
  • Do not try to heal damaged or very irritated skin without consulting a skincare expert or your dermatologist. Your skin can become inflamed, flaky, and cracked for many reasons, and they will help you determine the root cause
  • Do not forget sun protection!
The Best Facial Cleansers for Dry Skin and Cooler Weather:

How to Prep Dull, Dry Skin

Dropping humidity levels strip your skin of moisture and can lead to dryness and itchiness, and skin that is prone to breakouts can become even more sensitive and harder to treat. That's why selecting the proper cleanser and moisturizer is essential.

The Best Facial Cleansers for Dry Skin and Cooler Weather:

If your skin is irritated, avoid the urge to use a physical exfoliator to slough away dry dull skin cells and opt for a cleanser with salicylic acid. This popular skincare ingredient is safe for most skin types to use daily in a cleanser because it is often less concentrated than it is in moisturizers and serums, but start off using it a few times a week to determine your skin's tolerance. Use lukewarm water to cleanse, pat dry, and follow immediately with moisturizer.

If you need to exfoliate dull, dry, flaky skin, do it very gently:

The goal here is to exfoliate as gently as possible to avoid damaging your skin's natural barrier or removing too much skin if you're already experiencing flaking.

If extra exfoliation is needed and the skin isn't too sensitive, try a gentle peel like Peter Thomas Roth FirmX Peeling Gel or Senna Exfoliating Cleanser. Both formulas use fruit enzymes to slough away debris and dull skin to reveal a brighter complexion.

Similarly, Koh Gen Do Gommage Soft Gel from their Spa Line relies on four types of fermented fruit extracts to gently exfoliate (without the need to scrub!) but adds in soft rubbery spheres to whisk away dullness. A soothing blend of natural mineral water and hyaluronic acid quenches skin while the gommage stimulates cell turnover and removes pore impurities

If a few dry patches remain, add a few drops of Bioderma Hydrabio H2O on a cotton pad to lightly sweep away any stubborn patches and to add extra moisture.

PRO Tip: Instead of using these targeted treatments all over the face, focus on problem areas only.  

Skin Prep for Extra Stubborn Dry Patches

Skin Prep for Extra Stubborn Dry Patches

Sheet masks are for more than just self care! These handy single-use skincare treatments are essential for those in need of a quick boost of hydration. We offer a range of pro-approved facial sheet masks, undereye patches, and lip treatments to ensure you get all the extra moisture that your skin craves.

Extra Skin Prep Products For Makeup Artists to Combat Dull, Dry, and Flaky Skin using Saint Jane Luxury Beauty Serum and The C Drops

Extra Skin Prep Products For Makeup Artists to Combat Dull, Dry, and Flaky Skin:

Since most makeup artists rely on toners and rinse-free options to cleanse the skin, we recommend keeping Bioderma Hydrabio H2O in your kit along with best selling NuFACE Prep N Glow Cleanse Exfoliation Cloths.  Hydrabio removes dirt and debris with ease, while the Prep N Glow Cloths will give you extra exfoliating power thanks to the gentle exfoliating surface on one side of the cloth. Both have skin-loving ingredients to prevent irritation and to soothe dry skin. Apply an extra layer of hydration with Mehron Hydro Prep Pro and follow with moisturizer.

If you are hoping to hydrate while also providing an extra bit of treatment to the skin, we have been reaching for Saint Jane The C-Drops. The innovative, glycerin-encapsulated Vitamin C ensures visibly brighter, resurfaced skin. Packed with 20% Vitamin C and citrus botanicals, each drop delivers maximum penetration to the skin’s deepest layers. In addition to giving you an instant perk-me-up with the natural citrus scent, it leaves the skin glowing! For best results, layer underneath a Beauty Oil.

The Best Facial Moisturizers for Dry Skin:

The Best Facial Moisturizers for Dry Skin:

When it comes to moisturizers, layering a face mist, moisturizer, and oil can work wonders to soothe and protect dull and dry skin. We recommend starting with a light spritz of Avene Thermal Water or Koh Gen Do Herbal Spa Mist to provide a quick boost of antioxidants to nourish and to calm irritated skin. The neutral pH helps balance the skin and works well with other skincare products. Next, opt for a richer moisturizer that provides lasting hydration. Pro favorites include Embryolisse Filaderme Emulsion for a formula with shea butter to heal the skin, Avene Hydrance Aqua Gel for a hyaluronic-rich gel that absorbs quickly, and Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentrate Sensitive for clients that are prone to breakouts. Follow up with a facial oil to lock in hydration, and allow the products to sink into the skin.  

If extra hydration is needed, use a sheet mask or hydrating patches on troublesome spots immediately after cleansing and before moisturizing.  


How to Adjust Foundation Application When You Have Dry or Flaky Skin

We know not everyone likes to wear foundation, but if you're hoping to amp up the glam with a full face of makeup, these tips are for you! The best tip we can share is to work in thinner layers as you build up coverage and to reply on spot concealing to cover stubborn dark spots and imperfections.

Of course, with the right prep, you can make any foundation look beautiful, but these pro picks will make it easier to achieve a natural, healthy glow.

For a luminous and perfected look, try Kevyn Aucoin The Etherealist Skin Illuminating Foundation. This lightweight formula has hyaluronic acid for added hydration and ultra-fine pearl pigments to diffuse light and give the skin a smoother appearance. Face Atelier Ultra Foundation is also at the top of our list because of the unique silicone-based formula that allows it to glide easily over textured skin for a smoother appearance. The lightweight formula flexes and moves with ease and can even be worn without setting.

Finally, we recommend Koh Gen Do's Maifanshi Moisture Foundation and Aqua Foundation for those that want formulas packed with skin-loving ingredients and a skin-like finish. Both foundations are top picks for makeup artists working behind the scenes for television and film because they provide sheer to medium buildable coverage that still looks like real skin, but better.


The Best Powders to Set Makeup for Dry Skin Types or During the Fall and Winter

The Best Powders to Set Makeup for Dry Skin Types or During the Fall and Winter

If you have dry skin, you likely avoid using a makeup setting powder. However, there are plenty of options that are great for dry skin types!

Powders formulated with hyaluronic acid are a great choice because they'll keep your complexion looking smoother for longer. By Terry offers a range of pressed, loose, tinted, and translucent powders, while Jouer's Soft Focus + Hydrate Powder adds allantoin and Vitamin E in addition to hyaluronic acid to smooth the skin.

How to Set Makeup on Dry Skin

The same tips apply to powder as they do for foundation: Less is more. If you want to set your entire face, use a fluffy brush to apply a light dusting of powder. For areas where your makeup tends to fade away faster, use a powder puff for a more precise application. Complete the rest of the makeup look with blush, eyeshadow, and any other products you desire, and finally, apply a light mist of setting spray, and that's it! You're Camera Ready!

PRO Tip: When using a powder puff, first press your puff into the powder, and massage the powder into the puff to ensure it's evenly distributed into the fibers. Roll the powder onto areas that need to be set, and lightly tap onto any areas that need extra hold.


Feeling Inspired?

Are you ready to give our tips and tricks a try? Click here to explore skincare options, or click here to explore our newest makeup. If you have any additional questions, our Beauty Advisors are here to help, so click here to send them an email!


About Camera Ready Cosmetics

Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by Makeup Artist Mary Erickson. She dreamed of having a pro makeup showroom where artists could play with professional products without the typical makeup store attitude.

Today, our team of beauty industry veterans work together to curate the best quality products on the market. We partner with brands who respect the industry and formulate products for true working artists. You won’t find CRC in high-end malls, and we don't wear matching brush belts.

If you want to play with products for a few hours and buy nothing, that's okay ... come in and play! Our store is your playground.



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