Can You Wear Makeup with Tallow-Based Skincare? Yes—Here’s How.
- Sunny-Jewel Jones
- Apr 16, 2025
- 4 min read
How I prep my skin with Tallow&Honey—and the products I love to pair it with.
One of the questions I get asked the most—whether it’s in the DMs or from customers at markets—is:
“Can I still wear makeup if I’m using tallow-based skincare?”
And I get it. When you’re switching to a totally natural routine and using rich, oil-based products like mine, it’s not always clear how to layer things—especially if you’ve been used to matte primers and water-based creams.
So let’s talk about it—because the answer is yes, you absolutely can wear makeup with tallow-based skincare… and it can actually look better than it did before. You just need to prep your skin the right way.
Why It’s Different Than Conventional Skincare
Tallow-based balms don’t behave like lightweight lotions or silicone primers. They're richer, more occlusive, and deeply nourishing—which is what makes them amazing for skin repair and barrier support. But that also means:
You need to give them a little more time to absorb
You want to be mindful of how much you apply
And not every makeup formula will play nice on top
Once you understand how your skin responds—and choose the right products to pair—you’ll get that dewy, natural finish that tallow preps your skin perfectly for. ✨
My Exact Tallow&Honey Morning Routine (Before Makeup)
Here’s what I do most mornings, especially if I’m wearing a full face—or even just a touch of concealer and mascara.
1. Cleanse Gently
I use “Honey I’m Cleansed” to remove any overnight oil or sweat. It’s a soft, skin-loving cleanse—no stripping, no drying. Just a warm water rinse and gentle massage.
2. Tone & Balance
Next, I spritz “Honey I’m Toned” over clean skin.This step helps restore balance and prep my skin to absorb moisture without getting oily. I let it air dry for a few seconds before moisturizing.
3. Moisturize with “Honey I’m Glowing”
This step is everything. I use about a pea-sized amount (or two) of our whipped balm, warm it between my fingers, and gently press it into my skin.
I focus on any dry-prone areas (cheeks, chin, around the nose) and really take a moment to let it absorb.
Then—I wait. ⏳
Depending on how dry or humid it is outside, I wait 10 to 20 minutes before applying any makeup.
If it’s humid or my skin’s feeling more balanced → 10 minutes.
If it’s colder or my skin is extra thirsty → closer to 20.
This pause gives the balm time to melt in, so your makeup layers beautifully instead of slipping around or pilling.
What Makeup Works Best With Tallow-Based Skincare?
This part is key. Some makeup just doesn’t mesh well with a nourishing oil base like tallow. Over time, I found that cream-based, flexible makeup is a dream to apply over balms like “Honey I’m Glowing.”
Look for formulas that include:
Jojoba oil (which mimics your skin’s natural sebum)
Castor oil (like we use in our cleanser!)
Cream or balm-based formats that melt into skin
Powders, matte foundations, or heavy silicone-based products can cling to texture and create patchiness over tallow-based products. It doesn’t mean you can’t use them—but your results may not feel as natural or glowy.
My Go-To Makeup Brand: Jones Road Beauty
Just to be clear—I’m not sponsored, affiliated, or getting paid by them in any way. I just genuinely love how well their products work with my skincare routine, and I get asked about this all the time! Also… shoutout to my cousin Maddie for introducing me to Jones Road! I had no idea how perfectly their line would pair with a tallow-based routine until she put me on. 🙌
Jones Road products are:
Made with jojoba oil and castor oil (yup—just like we use in Tallow&Honey)
Cream-based, so they blend seamlessly into hydrated skin
Non-comedogenic, lightweight, and designed to let your skin breathe
My personal fav?
The Miracle Balm—hands down. It gives that radiant, glowy & dewy finish that doesn’t feel like makeup at all.
I love it in the shades “Flushed” and “Magic Hour.”
They melt into my skin and pair perfectly with a tallow base.
No pilling, no patchiness, just glow.
I haven’t tried their full line yet, but I’d love to hear what you think—👉 If you’ve used Jones Road before, drop your favorite product in the comments and tell me why you love it! I’m always looking for new recommendations from this community 🤎
📝 My Best Tips for Wearing Makeup with Tallow-Based Skincare
✔️ Give it time – Always wait 10–20 minutes after moisturizing before applying makeup
✔️ Blot lightly if needed – If your skin feels too dewy, use a clean cloth to gently press away excess balm
✔️ Use your fingers or a damp sponge – Cream makeup blends better when it’s warmed by your skin
✔️ Avoid baking or heavy powders – They can cling to balm textures and exaggerate dryness
✔️ Stick to breathable formulas – Your skin has come so far. Let it glow!
Final Thoughts
Tallow&Honey was created to help skin heal. Not to hide flaws, or force it to behave, or smother it with 15 steps. Just clean, nourishing, ancestral skincare that supports the skin you were born with.
Wearing makeup with tallow-based skincare is totally doable. You just need the right prep, a little patience, and a formula that plays nice.
So if you’ve been wondering if you need to choose between healthy skin and beautiful makeup—the answer is: you don’t.
You just need to work with your skin, not against it.
Bonus for My Readers:
Want to try the full skincare ritual I use before applying makeup? You can grab the Pamper Me Bundle—which includes:
One “Honey I’m Cleansed” Oil Cleanser
One “Honey I’m Toned” Rosewater Toner
One “Honey I’m Glowing” Face Balm
All bundled together for $70
right now you can use code MAKETHESWITCH to get 15% off (That’s $10 off your order!)
💬 Let’s Talk!
Have you tried wearing makeup over tallow-based skincare? What worked best for you—and what didn’t? Got a favorite product I should try?
Drop your tips, tricks, and questions in the comments. I’m always learning from you, too. 🤍