How To Get Your Makeup To Last!
This Is Probably One Of The Most Asked Questions I Get From Clients - “How To Get Makeup To Stay On”
It does take some time to find the right products that work for you.
Disclaimer - This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission.
There will be a lot of trial and error involved when you are trying to find ways to get your makeup to last, so you will need some patience while you try to find the right formula for you.
How your makeup applies and lasts will always depend on how well you have Prepped Your Skin. It’s not just a case of popping on moisturiser and starting with your makeup routine.
Cleansing your skin is hugely important to get a good, clean base to start with. Not only will cleansing remove dirt and impurities from your face, but it will also deep cleanse your pores and remove any excess surface oils, which will have an effect on how well your makeup lasts throughout the day.
Once you are cleansed, you may want to add an extra step of toning, especially if you have oily or combination skin, as this will rebalance your skin’s pH levels.
If you are targeting particular skin concerns and using a serum, this would be the time to apply it. Follow with an eye cream, which is a must. When it comes to your eyes, the last thing you want is to put all the effort into your skin and not prep under your eyes, where we all become dehydrated, which can result in concealer looking dry and gathering in fine lines.
Did you know that not all lines around the eyes are actually wrinkles?
Lines can appear just from our skin being dehydrated.
Now you can look at moisturising your skin with a product specific to your skin type. This may be a formula designed for dehydration, dry skin, normal skin, sensitive skin, or a mattifying specific formula for oily and combination skin types.
Top Tip: Allow the moisturiser to sink in for around 5–10 minutes before starting to apply your face makeup.
Primer
Primers are a bit of a buzzword; some people love them, and some people dislike them and feel they are unnecessary.
For the most part, you do not need to add a primer if you have normal to dry skin. Preparing your skin correctly with moisturiser will eliminate the need to use a primer.
Primers are best suited for oily and combination skin types, where you need extra help to keep the oils at bay and for the foundation to adhere better to the skin.
The Ordinary Primer is great for oily to combination skins; it really smooths out the base, and foundations always apply well on top. If you have very oily parts on your skin, Benefit Matte Rescue is an excellent addition.
For anyone who suffers from large, noticeable pores, the Benefit Pore-fessional will help fill them in. The key to using this primer is to tap it on the skin and press your foundation on top to prevent the primer from moving.
There are several primers on the market, some of which are tailored towards colour-correcting any areas of redness on the face. Be sure to check these out if you suffer from rosacea or severe redness.
Foundation
When it comes to how to make foundation last, the key is to apply it in thin layers. Make sure you are buffing and pressing the foundation into the skin. Try to avoid putting on one thick layer of foundation, using between 2-3 thin layers will allow you to build up the coverage slowly and will give you a chance to assess how much product is truly needed. Using this technique is how to make your foundation last all day.
Avoid using foundation under the eyes, as we want to keep this area clear for concealer only! The more product built up under the eyes, the cakier it will start to become, and there is a chance throughout the day that the product will move and crack.
Top Tip: Take a tissue, split it into a single ply, and very gently press it over the foundation to soak up any excess oils that may be appearing and any excess foundation that is just sitting on top of the skin.
If you would like some foundation application tips, you can find some useful information here.
Concealer
When it comes to applying concealer, use either your finger or a small makeup brush to apply a minimal amount to the darkest points under your eyes only. Blend the product down the side of your nose and across under the eye, only using the small amount you have already applied. Applying concealer this way will mean you are not overloading the undereye with too much product.
Blend any leftover product you have into where the foundation stops so it all looks seamless.
The biggest mistake that everyone makes is applying concealer under the whole eye and then having too much product to blend away, so it just accumulates into fine lines and wrinkles.
Top Tip: If you find you have applied too much, get a damp sponge and press it over the concealer, which will then soak up the excess.
Face Powder
Take powder very lightly on a brush to set your under-eyes, cheeks, t-zone, and along the hairline if you are intending to bronze. Setting these areas will give your blush and bronze something to blend into and will keep the products from looking patchy on the skin. Apply your chosen blush and bronze, and then apply another thin layer of powder to set your makeup in place.
The last tip would be to use a setting spray all over your face, which is designed to keep everything locked into place.
When it comes to your eyes, waterproof mascara and eyeliner will really help to keep your eyes looking good all day. For the brows, I love pomade-type products or eye gels, as these tend to set in place and stay put.
If you are wondering about your lips, if you fill them in completely with a pencil, then apply your chosen lipstick, blot with a tissue, and then apply another layer, this will help to make them last. You can purchase a product called Lipcote, which I carry in my kit. It acts as a sealer and helps to hold the lipstick in place.
You may not already be aware of this, but I specialise in makeup lessons. I provide a lot of support to ladies who want to learn how to use their products better, how to apply makeup better, or are looking for a complete refresh of their look.
For the ultimate makeup lesson experience, you could book in for my signature 2-hour in-person makeup lesson, The Complete Package, and not only will we go through your makeup bag, but the lesson will also be tailored for a full makeup application with my kit and a mix of your products.
The Reason Why You Would Love A Makeup Lesson?
A routine you love will be created and tailored for you.
You will get guidance on the best colours to use based on your skin tone.
We will find the right products for you.
Learn how to use the right tools to apply your makeup well and easily.
Colour-match your foundation correctly and with ease.
You will learn how to apply a foundation that evens out your skin tone flawlessly, with far less product.
Subtly creating a radiant and youthful style without overloading the face
Assessing your current products and deciding where to make changes
If you would like to explore further how I can really help you and teach you new things, please do get in touch and we can chat further, or you can take a leap of faith and get booked in for a lesson.