7 Steps to Make Your Makeup Last All Day

The Secret to Long-Lasting Makeup

Of all the things we stress about on a daily basis, makeup shouldn't be one of them. Knowing how to apply makeup and what to use is essential to any beauty routine, but the keys to making it last through the day are very specific. 

Cleanse, Exfoliate, Hydrate, Repeat

Before we can even start talking about makeup, we have to address the issue of how important it is to take care of your skin. There are several different ways we can utilize techniques to keep our skin in top condition, but the easiest way is to eat healthily, drink lots of water, get our vitamins, and use products that are quality and also address our concerns.

You will always hear makeup artists regularly say that great makeup begins with great skin, so ensuring you cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate, and bring in additional antioxidant treatments like masks into your skincare routine is very important. Get overwhelmed? Simply write your weekly skin care routine on a post-it note for a guide that you actually will follow. For example, write down a skin care regimen for day, night, and what days of the week you plan on exfoliating and using treatment masks. 

Top Product Picks: L'Occitane Shea Cleansing Oil, Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser, La Roche Posay Active C Eyes, Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

Prime For Perfection

Using a primer on the face for foundation and the eyes for shadow is a great way to help makeup last all day without getting shiny or creasing. There are several different primers out there, whether you want one that helps dull redness on the face or brings a more luminous glow to dehydrated skin. Knowing what primer works best for you is key, so trying a few different formulas is a great idea until you find the perfect match. 

Top Product Picks: MAKE UP FOR EVER Skin Equalizing Primer, Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer, NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Wearing bold lipstick? This lip primer from Anastasia Beverly Hills is a must-have to apply before vibrant lipstick, no pigment will move or bleed!

Use Quality Makeup Brushes and Sponges

This is probably one of the most important tips of all when it comes to long-lasting makeup. Using quality brushes to apply foundations, eyeshadows, and everything in between along with sponges like the Beauty Blender, will ensure your makeup lasts and also looks blended. 

Foundation First, Concealer Later

Applying concealer under the eyes and on troublesome areas before you apply foundation is actually the reverse of what you should be doing. Why? Applying makeup on top of concealer will only drag it across the skin, causing the need for an immediate touch-up. Instead, you should apply foundation first and then apply concealer under the eyes and on blemishes. Applying the concealer on top of the foundation and then blending it to match will ensure everything stays where it's supposed to. 

Top Product Picks: Nars Concealers, Makeup Revolution Ultra Base Corrector Palette

Have troublesome dark circles? Apply this Illuminating Eye Cream from Tata Harper before moving onto concealer and watch dark circles instantly fade away!

Blot Away the Excess Oil

Have oily skin? While having extra oil on the skin actually helps prevent wrinkles and fine lines, you don't want to end up looking greasy throughout the day. Take some blotting papers made specifically to blot oil and shine off the face and keep them in your bag at all times. This will ensure you cut the shine, but don't ruin your makeup. 

Hands Off!

One of the ways you can be sure to extend the wear of your makeup is by keeping your fingers off your face. Seriously, stop touching it! There are enough germs going around and adding excess dirt, oil, and whatever else might be on your hands is not the best practice for keeping clean and clear skin. The more you rub and touch your face, the more your makeup comes right off. While this is a habit most people don't realize they do, you can easily fix it by keeping a soothing facial mist at your desk or in your handbag. That way, every time you get the urge, you can mist yourself with some soothing anti-oxidants and essential oils instead. 

Top Product Picks: Caudalie Beauty Elixir, Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist, Ole Henriksen Balancing Cucumber Face Mist

Need a powerful makeup setting spray? Try this one here from Urban Decay, and spray it to seal your makeup after you've finished to help it last up to 16 hours!

Seal with Loose Powder

We love the texture of loose powder versus pressed, and this is a great product to use when wanting to set your makeup but feel like you're not adding anything excessive to the skin. Take a small amount of loose powder and really work it into the powder brush and lightly dust it on top of your foundation. This is also a great way to help reduce shine for skin types that happen to be more oily. 

Top Product Picks: MUFE Super Matte Loose Powder, Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder, Colorescience Sunforgettable Loose Mineral Sunscreen Brush Broad Spectrum SPF 50