Shaharlee Blake, Makeup Artist

Most people shop for primers by category.

As a makeup artist, I shop for the problem I’m trying to solve.

That’s usually where makeup starts getting easier and how you build a makeup bag that makes sense for your skin😉

Sweat and sebum break down makeup differently, which means they often require different prep strategies.

Before you buy another primer, figure out what you’re actually trying to solve.

Because sweat and sebum don’t break down makeup the same way.

• Sebum (oil) mixes with makeup and can cause shine, separation, and midday breakdown.

• Sweat (water) pushes through the skin and can disrupt makeup from underneath.

Different problem = different prep.

One thing that has made the biggest difference in my own hyperpigmentation journey is wearing sunscreen consistently.

A few favorites I’m currently reaching for:

☀️ Glo30 Glo Up SPF (moisturizer + SPF in one)

☀️ Innisfree Daily UV Defense (another great moisturizer/SPF combo) US

☀️ Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen (invisible, silicone-like finish similar to Unseen Sunscreen)

☀️ Sun Bum Face Mist (easy reapplication). Bum

☀️ e.l.f. Suntouchable Setting Spray SPF .l.f. Cosmetics

Your makeup is only as good as the skin prep underneath it.

One of the biggest misconceptions I see is people thinking makeup prep starts with primer.

Primer is part of the process.

It just isn’t the first step.

If your makeup looks like it’s sitting on top of your skin instead of melting into it, your skin may be dehydrated, overloaded with products, or not given enough time to absorb what you’ve already applied.

I don’t care how oily you are.

Every skin type needs hydration.

Because expensive-looking makeup starts with healthy, balanced skin.

Your skincare sets the foundation.

Your priming products help determine the finish.

☀️ Summer Makeup Bag Edit | EP 03: Skincare is Skin Prep

What’s one makeup issue you’ve been trying to fix that might actually be a skin prep issue?

Before you buy a summer foundation, watch this.

When your skin changes, your makeup should ADAPT. Every makeup “problem” does not require a new product.

Sometimes your complexion gets a little toastier in the summer and your foundation isn’t matching the way it did a few months ago.

That doesn’t automatically mean you need to buy a whole new foundation.

One of my favorite makeup artist tricks is adjusting my foundation with a cream contour shade instead of reaching for a darker foundation.

Why?

Because a good contour shade mimics the deeper tones that naturally exist around the perimeter of your face. When your complexion deepens, a small amount can help bridge the gap and bring your foundation back into harmony with your skin.

Could you buy another foundation? Absolutely.

But my goal isn’t to teach you how to buy more makeup.

It’s to teach you how to think through your makeup decisions more strategically and get more out of the products you already own.

That’s ShadeSync.

That’s one of the biggest beauty cheat codes I’ve taught myself along the way as a makeup artist.

☀️ Summer Makeup Bag Edit | EP 02: The Transition Face

What’s your biggest summer makeup challenge? I may cover it in a future episode of the Summer Makeup Bag Edit.

One thing I've learned after years as a makeup artist:
A lot of makeup frustration has nothing to do with skill.

It's usually a product problem, a placement problem, or a strategy problem.

We're fixing all three this summer.

EP 01: The Purge ☀️

What's been sitting in your makeup bag way longer than it should? 👀 Or what's one product you always buy but rarely use?

Most people think adding more is what makes makeup look good.
More glow. More coverage. More product. That’s usually where it goes wrong.
Expensive skin isn’t about more. It’s about balance, undertone, and knowing when to stop.

I’m not trying to perfect the skin. I’m refining it. Skin that looks like skin. Always.
Where does it go left for you? Too much glow, too much coverage, or it just doesn’t sit right? 👇🏾

If your shade matches are still clockable…you’re missing this.
Most artists are matching depth. Very few are matching undertone.
That’s why the skin never fully settles.

I’ve built a framework I use every time—on set, in broadcast, bridal. Same result. Every time. Skin that looks like skin. This is what separates artists who get booked…
from artists who get passed on.

ShadeSync Pro is coming.
Join the waitlist.

Most people think the appointment is where everything happens. It’s not.
The real work starts before the makeup. Skin prep, routine, and understanding what your skin actually needs. That’s why when I work with my clients, we’re not just doing makeup.

We’re refining the skin, adjusting the routine, and building a base that actually holds the look. So when the day comes…the makeup sits right, photographs clean, and still looks like you. Skin that looks like skin. Always.

Successful bridal trial with 👰🏾‍♀️
If you want your makeup to actually sit right, start with your skin.
Download my Skin Prep Guide and get on my newsletter for more.

If your foundation has ever looked off…It’s probably not the shade.
Most people are matching depth. Very few people match the undertone.
That’s why you can spend $40+ and still walk away with something that doesn’t sit right on your skin.

And no, this isn’t about who’s helping you. Even someone who looks like you can still get it wrong. Because this isn’t about shade. It’s about undertone.
When the undertone is right, The foundation disappears into the skin.
When it’s not…You see it immediately.

I don’t guess when it comes to complexion. I look at the undertone first. Always.
That’s the difference.

Comment “UNDERTONE” if you’re ready to get yours right.