Worried that your makeup’s looking too patchy or dry? Your skin type may hold the answer to that problem.

There was this new foundation that looked so, so good on your friend. You went out and got yourself the same brand… but it just doesn’t seem to look as good on you. What went wrong? Your skin type, in all probability. It’s the reason why the same makeup looks great on certain people, patchy on some and totally nondescript on others. That’s because the four skin types - normal to dry skin, oily to combination skin, sensitive skin and extra dry and mature skin - all respond to makeup differently. Each skin type needs specific handling both with regard to pre-makeup preparation and skin care to feel and look good.

Here’s how you can prepare your skin type to look better with makeup.

Normal to dry skin

Make sure you wash your hands and face before you apply makeup. Use a face wash formulated for your skin. Even normal skin requires light moisturizing, as it usually tends to gets drier with age - so start now! If your skin is on the drier side, use a moisturizer enriched with vitamins E and A to hydrate your skin. (This will not only prevent your makeup from caking and make the skin look more supple, but also check the early onset of wrinkles.) Wait for ten minutes, blot off any excess moisturizer with a tissue and then start applying your foundation.

Oily to combination skin

A face wash that gets rid of the excess oil on the face and tightens the skin’s pores without stripping the skin of its essential moisture, is recommended for this skin type. Use a pore clarifying toner or astringent to tighten the pores. If you have combination skin, use the toner only on the T-zone. Avoid the areas around the eye and around the mouth, as they are comparatively drier. Some combination skins suffer extra dryness under the eyes, so you may require an oil-free moisturizer only in these specific areas. Use foundations that are water-based instead of oil-based formulations.

Sensitive skin

Normal moisturizers, when applied to sensitive skin, tend to cause rashes or pimples. Scented products can also aggravate this skin type. An ingredient such as vitamin E can also be too strong. So use products that are hypo-allergenic, oil-free and fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic (that prevent acne). The foundation should also be similarly formulated. Use a perfume-free moisturizer sparingly on the dry areas and dab gently over the areas that have broken out. Blot off any excess and you are ready to wear makeup.

Extra dry and mature skin

This skin type needs special creams such as collagen enriched under-eye creams and rich bio-enzyme creams to hydrate the skin under makeup. These creams are easily absorbed by this skin type and help makeup blend easily. Use them generously and massage gently into the skin. These products are available in oil-free formulas as well. If you have sun-sensitive skin, use a moisturizer with SPF and UVA and UVB protection. Leave on for 15 minutes before applying foundation. You can also mix the moisturizer that suits your skin type with your foundation, if you are applying makeup on the go. But under-eye creams should be applied separately. This will ensure that the makeup doesn’t look patchy and lasts longer. Lip care is also a very important aspect of pre-makeup preparation. Regardless of skin type, you need to use a lip balm, lip scrub or lip conditioner to enhance the effect of lipstick.