The Best Moisturisers to Use Under Makeup, Per Top Makeup Artists

The Dr. Jart+ Ceramadin Cream (£30) isn't just a great, supremely hydrating day and night cream — it has earned a permanent spot in London-based makeup artist Georgina Graham's kit. "It's great for sensitive skin and really rich and emollient, but it absorbs into the skin nicely," she explained.

The Nimya Wear It All Starts Cream (£26) was created by makeup artist and beauty vlogger, NikkieTutorials (aka Nikkie de Jager), for the sole purpose of prepping your skin for makeup. The face cream, which has a marshmallow-like texture, is a moisturiser and makeup primer in one, and was developed to hydrate dry patches and keep your makeup in place for hours. "I always tell on my channel how I like my primers to be sticky, because I feel if your base is sticky, and you put your foundation over top of it, it's like a magnet — it just sticks together," de Jager previously told POPSUGAR. "We have a bunch of ingredients in the cream, but the one that gives it that grip is the glycerin. It's the go-to ingredient to make it have that beautiful stick."

Several POPSUGAR editors have given this face cream a go, and all of us have found that it really does live up to its makeup-gripping claims. Because it leaves your skin a bit tacky, it really does grab onto your makeup, helping your foundation go on flawlessly and stay that way all day long. An added bonus? It makes your complexion look incredibly glowy.

Before online shopping was a thing, makeup artists in the UK and US used to buy up tubes of Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrate (£20) every time they went to Paris for Fashion Week. It's been a makeup-artist staple for decades, and luckily, these days you can easily nab it for yourself at a number of retailers without having to buy a train or plane ticket.

"The Embryolisse Concentrate is the perfect moisturiser for under makeup," makeup artist Bryony Blake said. "The creamy lotion goes onto the skin beautifully, while hydrating and nourishing even the most sensitive of skin types. It can also be used as a makeup remover, which is what makes it perfect for any makeup artist's kit." Makeup artists Wendy Asumadu and Nikki Wolff are also fans. "This moisturiser is super versatile and great under makeup as it actually gives a little bit of hold. It makes the skin look plumped and feel hydrated and velvety," Wolff explained.

A personal favourite of several POPSUGAR editors (especially during the warmer months since it's supremely lightweight), the Paula's Choice Water-Infusing Electrolyte Moisturiser (£32) also has a few makeup-artist fans. "I love Paula's Choice skincare all around," says makeup artist Quinn Murphy, who works with loads of celebrities including Lily Aldridge, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sophie Turner, Sofia Vergara, Alison Brie, and Gemma Chan, to name a few. "Before applying your base, I suggest using the Water Infusing Electrolyte Moisturizer because it's not greasy, so it layers well under makeup. It's also safe for blemish-prone skin but still gives your skin a healthy and dewy finish."

"Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream (£205) is the best moisturiser to use before applying makeup," said New York City-based makeup artist Jen Myles, who recently created the makeup look backstage at Emilia Wickstead during London Fashion Week. "It hydrates the skin and actually blends with your foundation, leaving skin looking dewy, beautiful, and glowing." Makeup artist Emily Cheng (whose regular clients include Yara Shahidi, Laura Harrier, and Julia Garner) switches between the Augustinus Bader The Cream and The Rich Cream depending on the client's skin type, saving the latter for people who have drier complexions. "I love these because once it is well-massaged in, it leaves the skin silky smooth — a perfect base for foundation."

When makeup artist Nam Vo came to London to host her first international "Dewy Dumpling Masterclass," she sang the praises of the Sunday Riley Ice Ceramide Moisturising Cream (£60), using it to prep the models' skin before starting on their makeup. "I need moisturiser to sink into the skin, which this does, and it's very plumping and hydrating," she explained, adding that it doesn't roll or peel off under foundation, a common issue with some face creams.

"If your skin is normal/combination, I would use the Chanel Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream (£48)," said makeup artist Zoe Taylor (who is a spokesperson for the brand). "It gives skin the most beautiful glow and is a great prep for skin under your base. Try applying concealer only where you need it and skip a full base to really show the true beauty of the skin."

"For oily/combination or oily skin, it is important not to skip a nourishing moisturising step, however tempting it might be to try to avoid anything which might add shine. I love to switch in a serum in place of a moisturiser, and Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Serum (£70) is great to plump up skin and hydrate without adding any greasiness," Taylor said.

If you've got (a lot) of extra spending money, Graham recommends the La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream (£407). "I am currently using Skin Caviar Luxe Cream. It's my superindulgent, rich product that works on the skin on a cellular level. It smells divine and really makes my skin look and feel great."

The Victoria Beckham Beauty Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturiser in Golden (£92) has a warm golden tint not because it contains any pigment but thanks to a blend of micronised pearls that are gold, amber, and champagne in colour, mixed into the formula to not only impart a warm glow over your skin but also create an optical illusion and the appearance of smoother-looking skin. LA-based makeup artist (and Beauty Is Boring founder) Robin Black loves using it under makeup during the summer months. "The subtle golden sheen makes me look healthy and tan, plus it looks lovely alone or under makeup," she explained.