Ever wondered why your make up doesn't stay on? Do you find that when you get home after a long day you look as though you never bothered to apply make up? Hopefully this post will shed some light on why this is happening and how to prevent it..
Well prepped skin is key, it enhances the quality of your products and is the perfect base. If your skin is cleansed and exfoliated then it is blank canvas ready for your makeup to be applied. Think of it when you come home from holiday an the dredded two weeks later your skin starts to peel. The skin is dead and flaking off therefore the makeup cant sit correctly and it becomes patchy throughout the day. Your skin naturally sheds, yet not as obviously so if dead skin isn't removed it makes it harder for your makeup to look flawless and last. A couple of years ago this happened to me eventhough I hadn't changed my foundation. I began to exfoliate twice a week an never had this problem again. Always use a moisturiser! Even if you have oily skin this is an essential step if you want your makeup to last all day. Opt for a lightweight one so it soaks into skin an doesn't feel greasey. Use a heavier moisturiser in the night time before bed. I would recommend strobe cream/ liquid from MAC for your everyday moisturiser.
Primer is another must! I know some people don't use a primer, but I honestly couldn't go back to not wearing one. I do believe you get what you pay for with a primer and I doubt I will ever change from my Laura Mercier one (there is a post dedicated to this primer if you scroll down) yet any primer even a very cheap one will be better then no primer. The reason majority are expensive even brands such as No7 charge £20 for a primer is because it is essential an key for a flawless makeup look and for it lasting throughout your day.
'Long lasting' foundations aren't always the answer, neither is full coverage. I believe the products you use to team with any foundation is the bigger factor when making sure it lasts all day. A powder is essential. I find many clients and women I come across don't like to use a powder as it can look heavy on the skin. A translucent finishing powder is perfect. Colourless and lightweight, your primer and foundation sit as one and then the powders sets the base and locks in this flawless finish. I use MAC mineralize skin finish which gives me a bronzed glow yet sets my makeup at the same time. It is water baked so isn't heavy yet sets the skin ready for blushers and highlighters to sit on top. There are also sprays available which can set your makeup, I must be honest and say I've never needed something like this, yet if you find after trying all these steps your makeup still doesn't stay on, then this could be an option.
I believe another factor is how you apply your foundation. Using your hands automatically gives you a more sheer coverage from your foundation as the heat from your hands can break up the formula of the foundation on application. So what you believe to be a medium or full coverage won't be once applied with your hands. I would recommend a brush and my favourite type of foundation is a buffing/ stippling brush. It has a flat end and literally works the foundation into the skin so it is well buffed in and doesn't sit on top of your skin. If you use a sponge this will give you the most coverage; I find this can backfire and cause makeup to come off. For me personally when using a sponge my cream foundations can feel thick and sometimes cakey, especially in broad daylight. I subconciously then touch my face more, which in turn causes makeup to come off, due to the heat of my hands.
Another reason why your makeup may not be lasting is due to weather conditions, or the conditions in your office/ work place. You can't tell your boss you need 'more space' or 'they need to invest in a better air con unit'. So you need to work around this. If heats the problem an you feel like it is sliding off and the primer and powder and a well prepped skin just doesn't work. Then this quick freshen up and slight re application on your dinner hour will do the trick. I don't expect anyone to haul their makeup bag to the office so simply your foundation brush, small amount of your foundation and a light spray. I use Fix + spray from MAC. Spray all over the face an with a tiny amount of foundation rebuff into the skin. The spray will allow your makeup to move and it will look fresh and radiant as though you have reapplied a full face, yet in half the time with less products. Then pop your blusher on top in needed.
If you find this is a new problem an you have been using the same products for a while, chances are your skin type may have changed as you've gotten older. I would start with a skin care routine of exfoliating and cleansing if that doesn't seem to work, think about changing your foundation to an oil free if you have oily skin for example.
Lastly the longer you spend applying and working products into the skin with good quality and clean brushes the better your makeup will stay and set. I hope this helps and don't forget to leave me comments. Follow me on twitter for more helpful hints and tips @Fair_of_Face
Fair of Face x
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