Pro Techniques on How to Make Your Makeup Last All Day
Alyssia Chang
- Published
Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
If you’re wanting to make your makeup last until YOU decide to take it off, not have it crease, or melt off to the point where it’s almost gone, then you’ve come to the right place!
We have ALL the tips, tricks, and steps you’ll need to make sure nothing moves and make your makeup last.
Get ready to perfect your makeup game for an all day, night-long, impeccable look with our expert advice on how to make your time worth the effort.
Key Takeaways
Skincare will help a lot to make your skin the perfect canvas to apply makeup! Cleansing, hydrating, serums, all these items will help prep your skin for a smoother application and boost makeup durability.
Match your makeup products to your skin type! Dry skin thrives on hydrating formulas while oily skin benefits from mattifying products for an all-day fresh look.
Primers are essential. Face, eyeshadow, and lip primers act like Velcro, prevent creasing, and help makeup stay on for longer wear time.
The Importance of Skincare for Makeup Longevity
Did you know that a radiant, long-lasting makeup look begins long before you open your makeup bag?
Yes, prepping your skin is just as important as the makeup products you use.
A thorough skincare routine, including cleansing, serums, moisturizers, toner, while maintaining a balanced skin pH levels — lays the foundation for a lasting makeup application by removing dead skin cells and helps makeup adhere.
Before you paint a wall, you wouldn’t prep the area without sanding it, filling in the cracks, and applying a primer on. Similarly, a makeup artist knows that a smooth, well-prepared, and primed skin surface is the key to a long-lasting makeup look that complements your skin tone and type.
Adding sunscreen to your everyday skincare regimen is beneficial for overall skin protection, as well as hydrated skin helps avoid dullness and unwanted textures that can interfere with even makeup application. So, the secret to making your makeup last all day really lies first with your skincare routine!
Choose the Right Products for Your Skin Type
Selecting suitable makeup products for your skin type can be as transformative as discovering your perfect pair of jeans!
Finding the proper foundation formula, be it hydrating liquid foundation for dry skin or mattifying cream foundation for oily skin for example, is key to helping your makeup stay on.
So always check the foundation description and details to see what skin types it is made for and if it is best for you!
Primer: The Key to a Flawless Base
Having addressed skincare and knowing your skin type for makeup products, you NEED to know all about the “glue” to makeup – primers.
These beauty favorites create an oil absorbing barrier between the skin and makeup, smooths the skin’s texture, and improves makeup longevity. Whether it’s a face primer, eyeshadow primer, or lip primer, each plays a specific role in making your makeup stay put on for longer.
Face Primer
A face primer is much like a superhero’s invisible shield, protecting your skin and preparing it for the battle that is: makeup application!
It controls excess oil production, fills in pores, and results in a more even and smooth foundation application. Think of it as your secret weapon for a flawless makeup look that lasts all day!
When it comes to all types of makeup primers, LESS IS MORE. Always start with less than half a pump or a tiny pea size before loading it on. Usually the more you apply, the higher chance of pilling, the primer not keeping the makeup on, and bad makeup application results.
Different primers are formulated to address specific skin concerns, offering mattifying effects for oily skin or hydrating properties for dry skin, thus improving the foundation’s longevity and finish. For those with acne-prone skin, an oil-free, non-comedogenic primer creates a protective layer that grips the foundation and boosts staying power without clogging pores.
Keep in mind, a face primer is more than just another silly makeup step; it’s a transformative element in your makeup routine!
Eyeshadow Primer
If you’re tired of your eyeshadow disappearing or creasing within a few hours, say hello to your new best friend – the eyeshadow primer.
This wonder product prevents grease from causing eyeshadows to crease or become patchy and enhances color vibrancy by providing a flat canvas that allows all shadow colors to stand out prominently. That’s a guaranteed method to give your eye makeup an extra pop!
Applying a minimal amount of eyeshadow primer, about the size of a grain of rice for both eyes, should be gently dabbed, patted, and blended, particularly all over the bottom and top eyelids. Once applied, the primer should be given time to absorb and dry, approximately 20 seconds, before eyeshadow is applied. Ours favorite products for eye primers are:
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion – This easy to use, good for all skin eyelid types keeps your makeup from moving for up to 24 hours! Just make sure to set with a translucent powder or skin tone eyeshadow.
MILK MAKEUP Hydro Grip Eyeshadow and Concealer Primer – Clean Beauty, hydrating, blurring, and eyeshadow color boosting, this eye primer is awesome! If you have dry eyelids, or any skin type really, and need a bit of extra hydration, then this is it!
Lip Primer
Let’s not forget about our lips! A lip primer can significantly extend the wear time of lip color and improve its appearance on the lips. It helps to keeps your lips hydrated and prevent lipstick from feathering.
For those times when a specialized lip primer isn’t handy, a thin layer of foundation or concealer on the lips after an application of blotted lip balm can serve as a base that enhances lipstick adherence and helps maintain the true color of the lip products.
Try out these lip primers for gorgeous, all day and night lips:
NUDESTIX Nudescreen Lip Primer SPF 30 Natural – Slightly tinted to make the lips look lush, this SPF and anti-aging lip primer does it all!
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Primer – Did you say clear lip primer? Hydrating, smoothing, and anti-bleeding/feathering, you’ll want to try this lip primer for every lip makeup product you own!
Foundation Application Techniques for Long Wear
Let’s now focus on the star of any makeup look – the foundation.
The best way to make your makeup long-wearing and with an even finish, lies in the right application techniques and using the right amount of product. Using the correct foundation brush or applicator for each foundation formula is recommended for blending, stippling, and applying thin layers of foundation.
We recommend that you apply foundation with the best corresponding foundation brush for your foundation formula. If you want to use a makeup brush, it will provide buildable coverage. Use a damp makeup sponge for a sheered out, blended coverage.
Setting Your Makeup: Powders and Sprays
After applying your makeup, it’s time to secure it all in place! Setting your makeup with powder and spray will help to lock in your makeup, control excess oil, and is a crucial step to making all your makeup stay.
Setting Powder
Setting powder, loose powder, and eyeshadows are your go-to hero’s for locking in makeup and controlling any excess oil or sweat. Popular options like Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder and By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder are favored for their longevity and matte effect without a flat appearance.
Use a loose powder or same color eyeshadow on top of your pencil, gel, or liquid eyeliner! It keeps it on longer and instantly sets it so that it doesn’t crease or transfer. Just make sure you prime and set your lids before.
For best results, setting powder should be applied with a light touch to areas prone to oiliness, like the forehead, nose, and chin. And for those on-the-go touch-ups? Carry a lightweight matte pressed powder, matte stick, or blot film sheets, perfect for a non-cakey, fresh look anytime, anywhere.
Setting Spray
Let’s discuss setting sprays next, the ultimate seal for your makeup masterpiece. It locks in makeup, can be applied in layers, use it with eyeshadow or eyeliner, and can be added to specific areas with a damp beauty blender for extra adhesion!
It can also add either a radiant, hydrating, or matte finish to cater to different preferences and skin types. Some options include:
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray – Want to us a alcohol and oil-free setting spray? I think so! 16 hour long wear and blurring, us hard working people have to “stick” together!
Clarins Fix’ Make-Up – Moisturizes, smooths, and sets for a non-comedogenic experience! YES.
e.l.f. Matte Magic Mist & Set – This affordable setting spray keeps your skin looking matte & shine free, is multi-purposeful, and is infused with Vit. B and E.
Layering Blush for All-Day Radiance
Ever wondered how us, makeup artists get our clients blush to LAST?
The secret lies in layering your blushes! Layering cream and powder blush formulas enhances staying power on the cheeks and gives them a lively pop that keeps throughout the day.
Start with a cream blush on the apples of the cheeks, blend towards the temples for saturation, and then set it with a powder blush to enhance longevity and depth. For added depth and a youthful flush, layer a matte base blush with a shimmery accent on the outer edges of the cheeks. A neutral cream blush base can be topped with a vibrant powder shade to make the cheeks stand out.
And for on-the-go touch-ups, use a stick blush that can be easily blended with fingers or a makeup blender to refresh the color. That’s the secret trick for maintaining radiant cheeks throughout the day!
Waterproof, Smudge-Proof, and Long-Wear Eye Makeup
As the windows to your soul, your eyes deserve to be beautifully accentuated!
Waterproof eyeliners and mascaras are the secret weapons to keeping your eye makeup on and preventing smudging or fading.
Waterproof eyeliners come in various forms, each with its own benefits:
Ultra-fine tip liners like stila Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner are perfect for precise application.
Smudge-proof formulas such as Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Longwear & Waterproof Gel Eyeliner are ideal for creating dramatic cat eyes.
Creamy pencils that last like our favorite Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil are gentle for tight-lining and suitable for sensitive eyes.
Waterproof mascara is essential in avoiding runny eye makeup and maintaining voluminous, curly lashes throughout the day. With these waterproof wonders, your eye makeup will look just as fresh at night as it did in the morning (just make sure to remove the makeup before going to bed – promise?!).
Lip Color Lock-In Techniques
You know how to prime makeup now, so let’s set your lips with the best makeup trick you’ll learn today!
Take a tissue paper or Kleenex and gently peel back one of the thin layers till you have one, see-through sheet.
Place that thin sheet over your completed lipstick, lip lined lips.
Then take a couple taps of loose setting powder and gently press or stipple a few times on the tissue where the lips are to set the lips in place for hours!
Summary
We got you! With all these helpful makeup steps and pro tips, you’ll be advancing in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make sure my makeup stays on all day?
To make sure your makeup stays on all day, start with clean skin, use makeup primers, layer makeup with intention, and set it with setting spray to achieve long-lasting looks. Don’t forget to use waterproof makeup and blotting sheets to keep everything fresh!
Why doesn’t my makeup stay on all day?
Your makeup might not be staying on all day because you’re using too many thick layers of makeup at one time, not using the right skincare or makeup for your skin type, and not setting your liquid face products properly.
How do you apply foundation so it lasts all day?
Start with a well prepped skin and use a face primer to create a long-lasting foundation base. Apply thin layers, blend, then finish with a setting spray for makeup that stays put all day!
How to set makeup?
To set your makeup, use a setting spray by holding the bottle arms length away and spraying from left to right, while keeping your eyes closed. You can also apply a matching setting powder with a brush along your jawline, cheeks, forehead, and nose.
Why is skincare important for makeup longevity?
Skincare is crucial for makeup longevity because a well-prepped skin surface, achieved through cleansing and moisturizing, provides a smooth base for makeup, making it lasts longer with a bit of an adhesion texture.
