POV: You Need Long Lasting Makeup

Few things are worse than a perfect makeup look that doesn’t last. Have you ever had your makeup start to melt because it got oily after only a few hours? Or how about that patchy look that appears when the makeup starts to separate? A nightmare! Lucky for you there are some things you can do to help keep your makeup photo ready and long lasting. 

It starts with prepping your skin. Would you skip out on seasoning your food before cooking? Of course not because that’s a crucial part of the preparation process. The same goes for prepping your skin before makeup - it can make or break the look. You’ll want to choose a primer based on your skin type. If your skin is oily, you may want a primer that’s mattifying to reduce some of the shine. If your skin is more on the dry side, you’ll probably want a primer that’s packed with hydration. If your skin has the best of both worlds (combo), then you have options. Blurring or illuminating primers are universally loved across skin types and can provide such a great base before applying foundations, concealers etc. As someone with combo skin, I personally love applying hyaluronic acid before a blurring primer just to ensure my skin is hydrated and ready for makeup products. Skincare can be skin prep too!

If you’re not setting your makeup, then what exactly are you doing? Let’s start with loose powders. Setting with a loose powder is going to help lock in any liquid or cream makeup. It’s also going to help give that airbrushed look while controlling some of the excess shine or oil. You can apply with a fluffy makeup brush or a powder puff - I prefer the puff because it has a more even application. Just make sure you dust off any excess powder or else your makeup will look cakey (we definitely don’t want that).

Now, pressed powders will also set your makeup, but it’ll give you a little extra coverage too. It gives a more velvet finish that can really bring a makeup look together. It’s also a great choice for touch ups or to re-blur certain areas. To really lock in your makeup, you can use both a loose powder and a pressed powder. In the summer my t-zone likes to show out and let the oil run free, so I especially love using both types of powders to set my face. It helps to achieve that airbrushed look, which is always the goal. However, if your skin is dry, be mindful of doubling up on setting powders as you don’t want to dry out your face.

Finally, the finishing touch is your setting spray. Typically this is the very last step in a makeup routine. It sets everything in place. Sort of like strengthening the bond between your skin and the makeup. Similar to primers, there are setting sprays that do different things. Some may provide a dewy finish, more on the hydrating side and others may focus on leaving makeup with a matte, airbrushed finish. To complicate things a little further, some setting sprays can be used as primers or in between steps for additional setting. It all depends on your preference!

Priming and setting your makeup makes such a difference in how long it lasts. With so many great products out there, it’s hard to know which ones actually work. I saved us both some time (and money), and asked a few of my favorite creators and beauty influencers what their go-to product is for long lasting makeup. Here’s what they had to say: 

“I'm obsessed with the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray which I have in multiple travel sizes because it's my favorite at home or on the go. I keep my makeup simple, but I like it to stay put and this has been a constant in my routine for a couple years. It's also non-comedogenic and as an acne prone girly that's super important to me.” 

Kira - @bykwest

“Danessa Myricks Universal Blurring Balm is my go to staple product when it comes to my makeup routine. It creates a blurring effect leaving your skin looking like a walking filter and who doesn’t want that! It’s best to use the blurring balm before you apply your makeup as a primer. I especially like to target my smile lines because that’s my most problematic area and it allows my makeup to stay on all day with minimal cracks in my smile lines, so that's a big plus for me.”

Brenda - @misslubin 

“My trick to making sure my makeup lasts all day and all night is fixing spray! Specifically the Matte Fix Oil Control Fixing Spray by Revolution. This little gem is my go-to finishing touch when I am done with my makeup because it literally locks in all the work I just did on my face. I also struggle with acne-prone skin and eczema, so my skin is sensitive and pretty reactive, and I’ve never had an issue with this product. I’m a little shocked that more people don’t use this brand because it’s very affordable and you can find it in most drugstores! Highly recommend this to anyone who wants their makeup to last as long as possible.” 

Melissa - @mellemusic_

I’ve always believed the key to long lasting makeup is in your skin prep PRIOR to the application. This may be a popular pick, but I LOVE LOVE Milk Makeup’s Hydrogrip Primer! For me, it’s always made for a great base and keeps my makeup in place whenever I’m going about my day. I always like to make sure I wash my face and add moisturizer before applying the product. I give it a minute or two to dry, and then go in with my foundation! 

Sully - @sullyg_

My holy grail product that I will never skip when I need my makeup to last is Miss Laura. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Longwear Setting Powder to be exact! I wear medium deep and apply in layers (starting out with a little before packing it on) with a fluffy brush. The secret is to apply setting powder before and after setting spray. She keeps me matte all day & night and blurred like the “paris” filter irl.

Kahlia - @kahliazaire

A stay all day combo I swear by is the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer and the Hydro Grip Setting + Refreshing Spray. I always start with the primer and let it get tacky for a minute before putting on foundation and that makes such a difference. Then as I’m doing my makeup, I’ll mist the spray in between steps, and boom… my makeup lasts all day and tomorrow. They never fail me!

Ashley - @ashhnyc