Make your Makeup last!
About 6 months ago, I was in Kerala for a cousin’s wedding. The heat and the humidity was so bad that by the time we were getting out of the church, my makeup had already started to melt like a cone of ice-cream on a hot summer day. I realized then that what works for my skin in the relatively pleasant weather in Bangalore won’t do me any justice in the hot and humid Cochin. The face which looked incredibly flawless indoors was a melting hot mess in just about 5 minutes outside in the open air.
It was during my lessons at the studio that I learnt about the products and tricks for making makeup last. And it’s these tricks and products that help artists to work miracles on brides and models that make them look fresh and flawless even after hours of makeup application.
The way I see it, it is simple, straight forward and I refer to it as my 3 ‘P’s for long lasting makeup.
1. Primer
It’s for obvious reasons that the Primer is known as a makeup artist's secret weapon. A good primer is comparable to the base coat that we use for manicure. Just like the base coat provides a smooth surface for the nail color, the primer smoothens the surface of the skin and helps the makeup last longer. The primer will stick to the skin, and the makeup will stick to the primer, making it last longer.
Primer is an additional step to the makeup routine and I do not use it daily. But it’s a must-use for me on long days and special occasions. With a primer, my foundation stays put. If you are following me on Instagram, you would have seen the story that I had posted yesterday after about 12 hours of applying makeup. No crease lines, no fading!
Primer has to be applied after moisturizing and just before foundation. These days, there is one to suit every skin type – oil controlling primers for oily skin, hydrating primers for dry skin, blemish-less primers for acne prone skin and SPF formulas for sun protection. If there is one brand that I blindly trust for good quality primers, it is Laura Mercier. Other brands that I have heard good reviews about are Smashbox, Hourglass, NARS, Makeup Forever, Benefit and most of them have a range to choose from based on your skin type.
Similarly, an eyeshadow primer has to be applied all over the lids to prevent the shadows from creasing and to ensure that it lasts long. Lip balms are the primers for our lips and trust me when I say this, it goes a long way in making sure that the lips don’t chap and the color stays on.
2. Product
The products that we use play a huge role in the longevity of the makeup. Long-wear makeup products from good brands are formulated to stay put and withstand the heat and humidity without smudging, creasing and melting. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation is my favorite foundation which has buildable coverage and lasts long.
Lipsticks are highly prone to smudging and fading. I trust the longevity of liquid lipsticks because once applied, they just don’t move. Stila and KatVonD are two of my favourite brands and the colour choices are vast. While using regular lipsticks, I first line the whole lips with a lip pencil, then dust loose powder over, before applying lipstick. To make it last even longer, you can go over the first coat of lipstick with some loose powder and then apply the second coat.
3. Powder
I have never been a powder fan. I have always loved the dewy finish and felt that powders make my face look dull and cakey. Or so I thought while using the wrong powders. Today, I can tell you that I don’t step out without dusting my face with some loose setting powder. Setting powders go directly on top of the foundation and are designed to set and mattify makeup. The award winning ‘Translucent Setting Powder’ is my best bet and I haven’t yet found another one which comes any close.
I have been asked if a compact can substitute a setting powder. The downside with compact powders are that they tend to be tinted and heavier, and therefore not as natural looking on skin. Some of the other loose setting powders that I would endorse are Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder, MakeUp Forever HD Microfinish Powder, NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder, Bare Minerals Mineral Veil. To clarify, these are not powder foundations, but just translucent, light-weight, clear powders intended to set makeup.
When it comes to techniques, build your make-up, don’t smear it on all at once. Wait for your moisturizer and other skin care products to get absorbed completely before applying makeup. Allow a few minutes for the primer to settle before applying the foundation. Let your foundation set for a minute before dusting the powder over etc.
The final step for my long-wear makeup is a Makeup setting spray. Believe the hype behind the Urban Decay All Nighter. A few spritzes and your Makeup is guaranteed to last for up to 16 hours. It’s that simple ladies. Invest in the right products and you can achieve the same results as a professional makeup artist.
Have a fun week ahead! xoxo
