How Do You Make Your Makeup Stay On All Day? 7 Long Lasting Foundation Tips

Whether its full glam or natural makeup looks, we put a lot of time and care into foundation application. But with so many external elements that can tarnish the end result, it’s important to find products that are formulated to last.

So how do you make your makeup stay on all day?

Well, it all comes down to your skin prep, product application, and a curated selection of longwearing makeup formulas.

Read on for seven tips on how to make makeup last longer and browse our top application techniques to get the most out of your long-lasting foundation.

1. Apply your skincare

Before you even touch your makeup primer or long-lasting foundation, you’ll need to start with a nourished base – this will help your makeup last and keep it from looking patchy.

It’s important to always use skincare products that are formulated for your skin type, but, as a general rule, you’ll want to focus on hydration and balance.

To smooth and plump the skin surface, we recommend applying two pumps of the Pure Shots Lines Away Serum to cleansed skin. Then, follow with the Pure Shots Perfect Plumper Cream to moisturise and replenish.

2. Prime your skin

A good primer is the gold standard of long-lasting face makeup. Primer has the important role of smoothing the skin surface for seamless makeup application, while giving your products something to grip onto. While primer ultimately helps with makeup longevity, it can also boost radiance on the skin and gently blur the appearance of pores – giving you a more flawless finish overall.

After your skincare, apply a pump of the Touche Éclat Blur Primer Gold to help even skin tone and smooth imperfections. It’s best to wait a couple of minutes before applying foundation to give the primer time to melt into the skin.

3. Choose a long-wear foundation formula

We’ve reached the crux of long-lasting face makeup: your foundation formula.

Performance-wise, a long-lasting foundation with full coverage will give you the best result. But keep your skin type in mind, as well. For instance, oily skin types tend to gravitate towards a mattifying formula that blurs pores – whereas dry skin types find dewy formulas keep the skin looking plump and radiant.

You’ll find our two picks for long-lasting foundation below.

•All Hours Liquid Foundation: Providing up to 24 hours of full coverage, the All Hours Liquid Foundation is designed to last all day, while feeling weightless on the skin. Its formula is developed with our first Skin-Fusing™ technology to mimic the composition of the skin, giving you a seamless finish. This long-lasting foundation is also enriched with hyaluronic acid to maintain all-day hydration.
•All Hours Glow Foundation: Your ultra-radiant companion, the All Hours Glow Foundation, has the same high-coverage, weightless formula as the All Hours Liquid Foundation – but with a second-skin glow finish. This serum-based formula combines hyaluronic acid and niacinamide for unparalleled hydration and luminosity.

4. Apply your foundation in thin, even layers

Once you’ve chosen a good long-lasting foundation, it’s time to apply it to your skin.

Start with your preferred application tool: a foundation brush or a beauty blender. A foundation brush is going to give you the best airbrushed finish, but if you’re looking for more skin-like coverage, opt for a damp beauty blender instead.

Whichever tool you choose, be sure to always apply your foundation in thin, even layers: gradually building coverage as you go and gently stippling into the skin. This technique will help with product control, enabling you to avoid cakey makeup.

5. Use concealer sparingly

We recommend a ‘less-is-more’ approach when applying concealer.

Focus on specific areas that require more coverage – like dark under-eye circles or blemishes – and apply in light layers using the tip of your finger or a damp beauty blender.

For creamy, creaseless, buildable coverage, we suggest the All Hours Concealer, which offers up to 24 hours of coverage. With a luminous matte finish and weightless feel, this concealer is well-suited for long-lasting face makeup that still feels comfortable on the skin.

6. Set any oil-prone areas with powder

Excess oil tends to break down foundation formulas, causing your makeup to slide off, shift, or separate. However, you can control shinier areas – like the T-zone – with a dusting of face powder.

Simply take the All Hours Hyper Finish onto a fluffy brush, dusting over the forehead, nose, and chin. This matte power is sweatproof, waterproof, and crease-proof – making it the perfect companion to a long-lasting foundation.

If your skin is on the drier side, feel free to skip this step and jump straight to setting spray.

7. Lock in your foundation with a setting spray

We like to think of setting spray as the finishing touch to a long-lasting foundation routine: a way to ‘freeze’ your makeup in place and maintain longevity for the day ahead. It also helps prevent makeup from transferring and smudging.

Inspired by YSL’s makeup artists and developed with skincare experts, the Top Secrets Setting Spray expertly sets makeup in place while maintaining skin hydration. Shake the bottle well before use, then spray 15 centimetres away from your face with your eyes closed.

If you’re struggling with the skin prep element of long-lasting foundation – hydration could be the problem! In that case, explore the key hyaluronic acid benefits for skin next, and learn how it can give you a plump, nourished base that’s ready for makeup.