How to Prep Skin with a Skincare Kit for a Smooth Base
By PAT McGRATH LABS | Published: 2026-10-25
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to prep your skin with a curated skincare kit to create a smooth, glowing base that helps makeup last longer and look flawless.
Quick answer
Use a three-step skincare kit like the Divine Skin: Prep, Set, Glow Essentials Kit to cleanse, hydrate, and illuminate your skin, creating a smooth canvas that helps makeup apply evenly and last longer.
Why a curated kit works better than mixing products
A coordinated skincare kit ensures each step complements the next, avoiding ingredient conflicts that can cause pilling or irritation. The Divine Skin kit's three-step system is designed specifically to prep, set, and glow, so you don't have to guess which products work together.
If you have very oily or very dry skin, you may need to adjust the order or skip the glow step on certain areas. The kit is formulated for most skin types, but individual reactions vary.
How to prep your skin with a skincare kit
- Step 1: Prep – Cleanse and refresh: Start with the prep step from the Divine Skin kit. Apply a small amount to clean, damp skin and gently massage in circular motions. This removes any remaining impurities and preps the surface for absorption. Common mistake: using too much product, which can leave a residue and make makeup slide off. Use a pea-sized amount; more is not better.
- Step 2: Set – Hydrate and lock in moisture: Follow with the set step. Pat or press the product into your skin, focusing on drier areas like cheeks and forehead. This step hydrates and helps your skin hold onto moisture, creating a plump base. Common mistake: rubbing the product in vigorously, which can disturb the prep layer and cause uneven texture. Use gentle pressing motions rather than rubbing.
- Step 3: Glow – Illuminate and perfect: Finish with the glow step. Apply a thin layer to the high points of your face—cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid's bow—or all over for an all-over radiance. This step adds a subtle luminosity that shows through makeup. Common mistake: applying too much glow product, which can make the base look greasy rather than dewy. Start with a tiny amount and build if needed.
Product in this guide
- Divine Skin: Prep, Set, Glow Essentials Kit: Three-step system: prep, set, and glow for a complete skincare experience. This means you don't need to buy separate products or research compatibility—the kit does the work of building a smooth base for you.
Divine Skin: Prep, Set, Glow Essentials Kit
