When you take the time to perfect your makeup look, you want it to last all day long. Unfortunately, achieving long-lasting makeup can sometimes be challenging. If you’re looking to keep your makeup locked into place for hours on end, these are the 7 tips and techniques you need to be utilizing to make that happen! Don’t worry, it’s much easier than it seems!

How To Make Makeup Last All Day: 7 Tips & Techniques
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It All Starts With Skincare
If you want to make makeup last all day, you need to start with a clean and well-prepped face. This is basically the key to long-lasting makeup.
Start by cleansing your skin to remove any dirt, oil, or any previous makeup. (I’m a big fan of the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser and the Revisions Skincare Brightening Facial Wash.). You can incorporate any products into your skincare routine, but you’ll definitely want to focus on products that hydrate before makeup application. This could be a hyaluronic acid serum or a peptide-based serum. Follow up with a lightweight, but hydrating moisturizer. The Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre is a favorite pre-makeup moisturizer for a lot of makeup artists and enthusiasts, some even using it as a primer too!
If it’s daytime, don’t forget your non-negotiable sunscreen! I’m a big fan of the Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46, which wears well under makeup!
To Prime Or Not?
If you want to extend the longevity of your makeup, priming is a crucial step. Although you could consider your hydrating skincare routine your priming, you’re still going to want to apply a primer before starting on your makeup. This is because makeup primers are specifically formulated to create a perfect base for makeup.
A primer will help decrease the production of oils throughout the day, allowing makeup to stay in place. They also offer other incredible benefits that suit a wide range of specific needs. If you’re looking to reduce the appearance of pores or fine lines, a blurring primer is the way to go. If you want more oil reduction, you’ll want to use a mattifying primer. And if you want to add a subtle glow, a radiant primer will help you achieve that!
Whatever primer you choose, just make sure you’re only applying a thin layer to your entire face. Allow the primer to set for a few minutes before moving on to the next step.
Long-Lasting Foundation
Choosing the right foundation formula and application technique is a key component in helping to make makeup last all day.
A long-wearing and transfer-resistant foundation is your best bet when trying to keep your makeup in place. Long-lasting foundations get a bad rep for being too heavy or cakey, but there are plenty that offer longevity without weighing skin down or clinging to texture! I’m a big fan of the Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation, (which also boasts a pretty impressive shade range). The L’oreal Infallible 24-Hour Freshwear Foundation is a great affordable choice too!
Always apply your foundation in thin layers, starting with a little product, and building up coverage gradually. A damp beauty sponge or a dense foundation brush will help create a seamless finish.
Concealing The Right Way
If you want to make your makeup last all day, concealer may just be your secret weapon to make that happen.
A long-wearing concealer adds extra coverage to skin. If you have dark circles or any redness or discoloration, concealer can help cover that up. Just make sure you’re using the right shade. If you want to brighten up dark circles or highlight your face, choose a concealer that’s one shade lighter. When covering blemishes or acne, choose a shade that is the same shade as or one shade darker than your natural skin tone.
Always blend in your concealer well, ensuring there are no harsh lines. Don’t forget to set your concealer with setting powder to prevent creasing or fading! You can also use a setting powder to set your makeup in other areas that may fade faster, like your t-zone, which typically produces more oil.
Eye Makeup Must Haves
An eye primer can help keep your eye shadow bright and beautiful all day long. Using a primer on your eyelids can also provide you with a perfectly smooth base to apply shadow onto, and it prevents creasing too. Highly pigmented and long-wearing eye shadow formulas, like the kind in the Patrick Ta Major Dimensions Eyeshadow Palette, will stay in place and look stunning all day.
Waterproof mascaras and eyeliners will last longer than regular formulas. They also prevent smudging and fading. I’m a big fan of the Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Waterproof Mascara, it makes lashes look longer and more dramatic and lasts all day!
Just make sure you’re thoroughly, and gently, removing all eye makeup. Waterproof mascara and liner can be a little trickier to remove, but a good cleansing balm, like the Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Cleansing Balm will take it right off!
Don’t Forget Setting Spray!
The final step in making your makeup last all day is locking it all in with a good setting spray. A setting spray acts as a sealant for your makeup, making sure it stays intact for hours on end.
The best setting spray to use is one designed for long-lasting hold, and of course one that’s suitable for your skin type. If you’re oily, you may want a setting spray that provides a matte finish. If you’re dry and want a subtle glow, a dewy setting spray may be the way to go. I really like the Milani Make It Last Setting Spray. This affordable option keeps makeup in place for hours!
Setting spray is so easy to use too! After applying your makeup, just hold your setting spray arm’s length away from your face and spray in an even crisscross motion, and your makeup is locked into place!
Touching Up
Even with the best techniques and products, a little touch-up throughout the day may be needed. And it’s the perfect thing to help maintain your flawless makeup look!
Keeping a few touch-up essentials on you while you’re out and about can help keep your makeup looking good all day long. Keep blotting papers to absorb excess oil, some setting powder for refreshing your complexion, and your lip color of choice for a quick retouch in your makeup bag. Small touch-ups throughout the day will keep you looking fresh and flawless for hours!

Achieving long-lasting makeup doesn’t have to be a challenge. Using the right products and following these steps, you can make your makeup last all day long too!
Read More
Everyday Makeup Tips You Need To Know
Bronzer vs Contour: What’s The Difference?
Foundation Tips For Flawless Application
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