Getting your makeup to last through the day or night is not always easy. Here are 9 tips to make it last. Whether it’s a day at the office, a special occasion, or a humid summer day in Florida, you got this.

1. Know your skin type

Once you know your skin type (dry, oily, combination, or sensitive) you’ll be on your way to choosing products that work well for you. Well-matched products will last longer and perform better. For example, if you have dry skin you’ll want to choose hydrating products, which tend to be thicker, often creamier. Think creams, balms, and facial oils. On the other hand, If you have oily skin, you’ll look for lighter products. Think mattifying lotions, milks, serums, and gels. See my “What’s Your Skin Type?” freebie to finally find out what your skin type is.

2. Consider the season and climate

When it’s hot, go for lightweight breathable products. When it’s humid, reach for water-resistant formulas, which will last a lot longer and resist running or migrating. A blotting powder and or blotting papers will help with your T-zone. In the cooler, dryer months you’ll want your products to be more nourishing and hydrating, for both skincare and makeup picks.

For extreme situations, like a wedding day in a hot humid climate, opt for water-proof or water-resistant formulas.

3. Prep your skin

It’s sooo important to prep your skin with a good cleansing routine. Well-cared-for skin will be hydrated and work much better with your makeup. This includes cleansing, toning, exfoliating, and moisturizing. Cleansing/toning/moisturizing should be done every day – morning and evening. Exfoliating can be done 2 times/week. Don’t skip exfoliation! It’s super key to remove the dull, dead skin cells ,which we’re constantly shedding. If not, they can build up, clogging pores, giving our skin a sallow hue, and encouraging breakouts. Which in turn can affect the longevity and quality of our makeup as well.

Don’t forget eye cream, not only at night but in the morning before makeup application. Having hydrated skin under the eyes, will help your concealer smooth on and sheer out nicely. Just be sure to allow your eye cream to absorb first.

4. Primer?

To prime or not to prime? Truthfully, I’m not a fan of primers. I’ve seen them literally pill off in little balls and actually take the makeup with it. Plus, it’s an extra step, and let’s face it, we don’t have a lot of time to get ready. Having said that, if you’re a fan, by all means stick with a primer.

In the early days of priming, they were silicone based or waxy, but they’ve come a long way since then. Currently, there are some really nice priming serums on the market that work beautifully under makeup. Note, these are more of a serum, which is a skincare product, rather than an actual primer, which is a makeup product.

Surprisingly, facial oils work well under makeup too. They’re lightweight and designed to absorb quickly into the skin. If you’re using a primer, apply it after your moisturizing step and be sure to let your moisturizer fully absorb (1- 2 minutes) before applying your primer. This will help to avoid pilling.

Personally, I would only consider a primer for a long wedding day, and ensure that it’s designed to work well with your products, ie: same brand, same line. Otherwise, skip this step and focus on skin prep that’s nourishing and had time to absorb before applying your makeup.

5. Order in which you apply

Consider the order in which you apply your makeup. This will have an effect on its longevity. The order generally goes like this: foundation, concealer, creams (blushes, bronzers, highlighters), powders (setting powder, blushes, bronzers, highlighters) and last but not least, balms – ( ex: Jones Road Miracle Balm).

6. Lip layering

To get your lip colour to last, make sure your lips are exfoliated and well hydrated first. Next fill in your entire lips with a lip pencil – either as close to your natural lip colour as possible or as close to the shade of your lipstick as possible.  Blot with a tissue. Then apply your lipstick, oil, stain, or gloss on top. If you’re doing a bold red lip, repeat the lipstick step, blotting in between each layer with a tissue, to really lock in the colour.

Lip stains are fantastic too! They’re long lasting but dehydrating, so be sure you apply a good balm or gloss over top.

7. Setting powder

A light dusting of either loose or pressed setting powder will help to lock things in for the day. This is applied at the end, to not only set makeup but to take down a bit of the shine and help control halation (which is shine that appears an hour or two later). If you’re going for a dewy, glassy look, stick to powdering exactly where you know you may need it – usually the t-zone needs a little.

8. Setting spray

Double yay for setting spray!! These are great! I use them for all my brides and grads. Once your makeup is complete, hold your spray a few inches back and give your face a light mist all over, back and forth. If you notice your makeup moving throughout the day or your skin is drying out, go back in with a light misting to freshen it up.

9. Hydrate

Last but not least, drink plenty of water. Your skin loves it when you’re hydrated from the inside out. It will maintain a plumper, smoother, clearer texture, which in turn will help your makeup perform better and last longer.

Even with all of the above, you’ll want to be mindful and touch up as needed. Carry a little touch-up kit with a few of the products that you used that day, especially the lip products. Include setting powder, tissues and Q-tips. Maybe your blush and a mini brush too.

Finding your products and your skincare routine will take a bit, but once you’re there, embrace it, and you’ll definitely see positive results with your makeup.

Yours in clean beauty,

Tamer x