The Intersection of Skin and Makeup

Skin Prep for Makeup, The Real Foundation

Listen To The Episode

All resources mentioned in this episode are linked below for easy reference. These are shared for educational purposes — not product pushing — so you can explore what aligns best with your own skin and makeup routine.

🎧 Episode Resources & Links

📚 Books Mentioned

• Skin Prep for Beauty Nerds — by Nika Ambrozic
  (Available in Spanish as well)

• Be Your Own Makeup Artist — by Natalie Setareh

• Skincare: The New Edit — by Caroline Hirons

🎙️ Related Podcast Episodes

• Capsule Makeup Bag episode

• Makeup for Mature Skin with Sonia Roselli

💄 Brands & Products Referenced

• Sonia Roselli Skincare Line

• Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
  (Often referred to in the episode as “Embryolisse LCC cream” and commonly used for skin prep)

👩‍🎨 Guests & Social Accounts

• Nika Ambrozic — Makeup Artist & Educator
  Instagram: @erion_muah

• Nika Ambrozic — Holistic Facial Massage Services
  Instagram: @erion_beauty

🎓 Educational Resources

• Capsule Makeup Bag Masterclass

• Skin Prep vs Skincare

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 Beauty Expert & Trainer Nika

06:17 “Skin Prep for Makeup Artists”

07:16 “Passionate About Teaching Skincare”

12:05 “Sharing Makeup Expertise”

13:00 “Makeup and Skin Prep Insights”

16:22 “Essential Skin Prep Insights”

22:06 “Understanding Cosmetic Ingredients”

24:59 “Understanding Pilling in Skincare”

26:09 “Makeup Texture Insight”

30:59 Melissa Street: Makeup & Technology

34:55 “Personalized Beauty and Product Choices”

36:18 “Less Is More in Makeup”

40:18 Impulse Shopping at Makeup Counters

44:42 Makeup Education Without Product Push

Intersection of Makeup and Skin Shownotes 

Welcome to a new episode of the Be Your Own Makeup Artist Podcast, where makeup education comes first — not product pushing.

In this episode, host Natalie Setareh, award-winning makeup artist, educator, and author of Be Your Own Makeup Artist, is joined by her longtime friend and colleague Nika Ambrozic — professional makeup artist, holistic face massage therapist, and author of Skin Prep for Beauty Nerds.

Together, Natalie and Nika dive deep into the intersection of makeup application and proper skin prep, breaking down why even the best makeup products can fail when the skin isn’t prepared correctly.

This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever struggled with foundation not sitting right, makeup separating, pilling, dry patches, excess oil, or achieving a smooth base — no matter your skin type.

Skin Prep vs Skincare: Why It Matters

One of the most important themes in this conversation is the difference between a regular skincare routine and a skin prep routine.

Skincare is about long-term skin health — supporting healthy skin, preventing premature aging, and addressing specific skin concerns like dark spots, sensitive skin, or the appearance of fine lines.

Skin prep, on the other hand, is the crucial step before makeup. Its purpose is functional: creating a perfect canvas so makeup adheres properly and delivers the best results.

Natalie and Nika explain why skin prep is not simply applying a makeup primer — and why piling on too many products often works against you.

Understanding Your Skin Type & Texture

Throughout the episode, they discuss how different skin types require different approaches:

• dry skin
• oily skin
• combination skin
• sensitive skin

From dead skin cells to excess oil, understanding what’s happening on your skin that day is essential. Skin changes daily due to hormones, environment, stress, and weather — which is why a one-size-fits-all routine rarely works.

Learning to assess your skin before makeup helps create a clean slate, smooth canvas, and good base — whether you want a dewy finish, matte finish, or natural look.

The First Step: Clean Skin

Proper makeup always starts with a clean face.

Natalie and Nika discuss why using a gentle face cleanser or gentle cleanser is the first step toward a flawless makeup look. Over-cleansing, harsh exfoliation, or layering too many active ingredients can compromise the skin barrier and sabotage your makeup routine.

They also explain when a gentle exfoliator makes sense (usually only 2–3 times per week) and why removing buildup properly helps prevent texture issues later.

Ingredients, Pilling & Texture Issues

One of the biggest “aha” moments in the episode comes from Nika’s explanation of pilling — those little balls that form when products don’t layer well.

You’ll learn:

• why pilling happens
• how certain textures interact on a molecular level
• why gelatinous or sticky serums often cause issues
• how understanding ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and salicylic acid helps you make better decisions

Rather than chasing the best products, the goal is choosing the right products that work well together.

Eye Care, Lip Care & Sun Protection

The episode also touches on often-ignored prep steps, including:

• proper eye care for the under-eye area
• when eye cream matters
• using lip balm before lipstick or lip gloss
• why broad-spectrum sunscreen is an essential step

Sun protection isn’t just about skincare — protecting against harmful UV rays plays a major role in preventing premature aging and maintaining skin tone over time.

Primer, Foundation & Finish

Natalie and Nika break down common misconceptions around primers:

• when a makeup primer helps
• when it actually repels foundation
• choosing between a hydrating primer or mattifying primer
• selecting the right primer based on skin needs

They explain why many modern foundations are designed to work without primer, and how understanding formulation leads to a smoother base and flawless finish.

Whether you’re applying makeup with a foundation brush or your hands, skin prep determines how your makeup performs — not the tool alone.

Less Is More: The Philosophy Behind Great Makeup

A recurring theme throughout the episode is that doing less often creates better results.

Over-layering skincare, chasing trends, or constantly buying new makeup products often leads to a compromised base. Instead, building a simple, intentional routine helps you achieve:

• a solid base
• long-lasting look
• flawless makeup look
• natural beauty that still looks like you

This applies whether you’re preparing for special events, working on camera, or just doing makeup for everyday life.

Education Over Product Pushing

At its core, this episode is about empowerment.

Rather than telling you which products to buy, Natalie and Nika focus on understanding:

• how skin behaves
• how cosmetics work
• how to adapt your routine based on your skin’s needs

Because once you understand why something works, you no longer feel overwhelmed by marketing — and your makeup routine becomes simpler, smarter, and more sustainable.

About Nika

Nika Ambrozic’s journey in the beauty industry began with her fascination for skin—not just as a canvas for makeup, but as a living, breathing organ. Working alongside skincare brands, pharmacists, developers, dermatologists, and fellow artists, Nika developed a truly global and holistic understanding of skin health. Her path eventually led her into practicing holistic facials, fueling her passion for educating others. Today, Nika is dedicated to making complex skin and makeup concepts accessible and easy to understand, so anyone—regardless of their background—can learn to care for their skin and apply makeup with confidence.