Long-Lasting Makeup: Expert Tips for All-Day Wear

Looking good is hard work.

It takes a lot of effort every morning to create that perfectly put together look. You set your hair, you put on those products and you look back at your reflection and smile, happy.

Fast forward to mid day. Your makeup has already started to fade! Makeup, on its own, does not have a very long staying power. You need to re-apply your products once or twice through the day to keep the original look intact. Or you can use a few simple tricks that can help keep the makeup in place for longer.

Tricks and tips to make your makeup last longer:

For the Face:

• Always scrub and exfoliate your skin before using foundation. This will help remove the dead skin layer that is preventing the foundation from blending with your skin.
• Use a good primer. Make it a regular part of your vanity, as it makes all the difference in how long your look will last.
• Make sure that the primer or base cream you apply under your foundation is completely dry. Foundation cannot adhere well to wet or oily skin.
• Set your foundation with a stippling brush. This will help to even out your foundation.
• For those who like wearing powder blushes, you can apply a cream or mousse blush underneath. This will help the powder blush last longer.
• Using a primer is equally important for the eyes as it is for the face. In fact, using an eye shadow primer also helps protect the sensitive skin around the eyes from the makeup.
• Use a gel or cream shadow under the powder shadow. This will help build up the colour and make it pop.
• Waterproof and smudge proof eyeliner and mascara will not budge all day, no matter what. Invest in them.

For the Eyes:

• Using a primer is equally important for the eyes as it is for the face. In fact, using an eye shadow primer also helps protect the sensitive skin around the eyes from the makeup.
• Use a gel or cream shadow under the powder shadow. This will help build up the colour and make it pop.
• Waterproof and smudge proof eyeliner and mascara will not budge all day, no matter what. Invest in them.

For the Lips:

• Before applying a lipstick, use a lip balm. A very thin layer of lip balm under the colour will ensure your lips don’t dry during the day.
• Next blot the lip balm with some tissue.
• You can also blot it using some powder. Do this gently.
• Take a lip liner of the same colour as the lipstick you will be wearing. Use this to line your lips. This will make sure that even if the lipstick fades, you have colour on.
• Apply a concealer on your lips before putting on the lipstick.
• Once done, apply some foundation as well and wait for some time. Wear your lipstick. This will ensure that the lip colour holds better and does not fade easily.

For the Hair:

• Your hair, just like your makeup should not lose its charm. The most common problem is that hair becomes flat and lifeless throughout the day. Use a volume boosting shampoo and conditioner.
• Avoid using hair products all over your hair. Use these just at the roots. This will ensure that the products don’t pull down the hair completely.
• For those who have frizzy hair, use a silicone based serum or spray.
• Remember to not use too much as the silicone does make hair oily.
• To make sure you don’t mess up your hair, try simple hairstyles that are easy to re-do, like pony tails, buns and braids.

Try these out and you will be surprised at how much time and energy you save by not needing touch up’s frequently! Do tell us about any such trick of yours that you use. Comment away!