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How To Make Your Makeup Last All Day

By Sophie Joaman • August 2, 2022 • 8 mins read

It might seem an impossible task to keep your make-up lasting all day. After all, we face a lot during the daily grind. The elements, physical activity, heat and don’t forget about touching our faces.

We’re all familiar with midday shine and the disappointment of make-up that has slipped from our faces before the day is out. So surely, there’s just no way that your make-up can possibly go the distance, right?

What if we were to tell you that there is actually a way to make your make-up last all day? It’s true! And it’s fully achievable for each and every skin type.

We’ve even got a step-by-step guide for you on how to create the best make-up routine for long-lasting results, to give you an all-day flawless look.

Step 1: Cleanse, Exfoliate, Hydrate.

It goes without saying but a good skin care routine prior to even touching your make-up is the most important step in the entire routine.

Prepping your skin creates a clean surface that gets rid of the impurities and dead skin that would otherwise be sitting under your make-up, ready to cause havoc.

Not only will your skin thank you for dedicating some time for a little TLC, but a clean base will keep you looking fresh and will help the longevity of your make-up, giving you that ‘just applied make-up’ look all day.

The very first thing to do in your routine is to wash your face with a gentle cleanser and warm water to remove any old make-up or impurities from the skin.

Make sure that your hands are clean before touching your face to avoid potential breakouts.

You can also use a reusable cloth or cleansing pad to apply the face wash and work it well into your skin, making sure that the whole of your face, including your eyes, gets a proper clean.

After cleansing, use an exfoliator to buff away the dead skin and any pollutants clinging to the skin. You’ll be left with a silky base for your make-up to glide on.

Work your exfoliator into your skin, being mindful not to scrub your skin too hard. Exfoliators can be abrasive and whilst you want to scrub the top layer of dead skin off, the gentle application is always going to be more beneficial for you.

Try exfoliating your face in circular motions too to boost your circulation and you’ll notice more of a glow to your skin in no time.

The final step of the prep is to hydrate your skin with a good moisturiser. Choose a water-based moisturiser to combat any oiliness in the skin, especially if you are more on the side of oily skin.

This will help to create a make-up base that doesn’t budge as easily, while also retaining that natural radiance. Add a little moisturiser to the forehead, cheeks, nose, neck and massage well into your skin, being careful with delicate areas of skin.

Step 2: Prep skin with a primer.

While it might seem that foundation is, well, the foundation base to your entire make-up routine, there is a crucial step before that will help to give you that gorgeous long-lasting finish. 

The benefits of using a primer allow you to create a smooth base for your make-up, which in turn helps it to go the extra mile and actually last through the day.

Water-based or silicone-based primers are perfect for combating oiliness and blurring pores to prevent any excess oil.

To make a smooth base, start by blending your primer into your skin just like you would with your foundation, getting it into the curves and contours of your face, this will stop any oily or dry areas from showing up later on in the day and possibly ruining your make-up.

Step 3: Opt for a long-wearing foundation.

A good foundation cannot be underestimated but a long-wearing one? Do they actually exist? The short answer is yes.

Longwearing foundations like the Born This Way 24-Hour Longwear Matte Foundation are more matte in texture but still suitable for those with dry and combination skin, thanks to the lightweight, breathable formula.

Foundations that mention they are long-lasting (up to 24 hours) will have higher coverage and therefore stay put for longer without it spoiling a few hours after you apply it.

Here’s a great tip for application though- less is certainly more sometimes, so begin by applying a little foundation onto your brush or beauty blender and blending in well to the face, including the neck and hairline.

Starting off with less product will guide you as to whether you want or even need more. You’ll be surprised. You can then build upon your coverage if you do want a fuller look.

It also means that your make-up isn’t going to become too heavy or cakey. An even foundation base is likely to last longer too. If you’re new to makeup and want to build a solid routine, check out these basics for makeup to help you get started.

Step 4: Seal with a loose powder.

After applying your foundation, use a loose powder to set your foundation in place and keep any shininess at bay. For those with dry skin, you may prefer to use less powder overall or only use it on the parts of the face that get shinier throughout the day as opposed to the whole face.

Using powder when you have dry skin can cause it to sit within the fine lines and make your dry patches look flaky, so going in with a make-up brush to your areas of concern is a great way to ensure that you are getting an even look.

Pat, it in gently with your brush or blender and let set for a moment for moving on to the next part of your routine.

Step 5: Set skin with a setting spray.

It may seem counter-productive to then use a setting spray, but this is what will bring your base together and allow you to then add bronzer, blusher and eye-make-up, should you wish.

Hold your spray a short distance from your face and simply spritz it on generously, making sure that you spray a good amount on any drier areas of your skin.

Opting for a water-based spray as opposed to an oil-based one will set your make-up for longer and give you that hydrated appearance at the same time.

Step 6: Apply a lasting lip colour.

Lips are probably one of the hardest parts of the make-up routine to keep going throughout the day. From eating, drinking, talking and even kissing- lipsticks or glosses wear out easily.

Understandably many people don’t even realise that there are long-lasting lip colours out there that keep your lips from smudging too soon and without foregoing eating or drinking throughout the day.

A brilliant method to making your lip colour last longer is to line your lips with a liner pencil, filling in the outer lines to create a border for your lipstick.

Lip creams or stains are also ideal in this situation as they dry to your lips enough so that you get another layer to your lips that will stay put for much longer.

Step 7: Use quality makeup brushes & sponges.

Believe it or not, the tools you use to apply your makeup make a difference in the longevity of your makeup. Using your fingers will only cause excess grease to transfer to your skin and can breakouts or even infections, as well as sliding makeup.

Using brushes and sponges is therefore the best way to keep your gorgeous face clean and your make-up artistry lasting through the day.

A foundation brush, sponge or beauty blender, are the best tools for applying a silky foundation base as they help to absorb excess oil and moisture while blending your make-up evenly into your skin.

Brushes like the Real Techniques Collection are perfect for powders as they distribute the right amount of product consistently over your face so that your makeup doesn’t move in certain places.

How To Make Make-Up Last All Day For Oily Skin?

For oily skin, avoiding oil-based products is key to long-lasting makeup. A silicone-based primer and a long-lasting matte foundation are truly going to be your best friends.

They will ensure that any oils on your skin are absorbed and will stop your makeup from sliding. Top off your gorgeous base with a translucent powder all over the face to help set the make-up and keep it in place from day to night.

We can’t predict what the day will bring but we do know that following our step-by-step make-up routine will banish the afternoon shine and slide, keeping you fresh and flawless all day.

So much so, that people will definitely be asking you for your secret to long-lasting make-up success in no time.

 

Author Image

Sophie Joaman

Sophie Joaman is a freelance writer with a real love and focus for fashion, beauty, lifestyle and culture. With a Master's degree in Journalism and Media Communications, Sophie is ​​currently an ongoing contributing freelance writer for Cohorted Cult-sister website of beauty subscription box Cohorted. She was also a contributing writer during London Fashion Week and London Fashion Week: Men's from 2015-2018.

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