Long-Lasting Makeup

We are constantly looking for ways to make our makeup last throughout the day.  While going home from work with the exact same face you left the house with that morning may not be possible, I have found ways to make my makeup last longer and keep my face looking fresher throughout the day.

1.  Don't touch your face.  This sounds way to simple to believe that it could work, but it does.  For whatever reason, I used to constantly catch myself touching my face.  I'm not even sure why--I guess it was just habit.  And I'm sure I'm not the only one who has done it.  When you touch your face, the oils from your hand break down the makeup, and it ends up transferring from your face to your hands.  If you make a conscious effort to not touch your face (or at least to not do it so much), your makeup will stay on your face longer.

2.  Primers: while some swear by them, I honestly can't tell a difference in the longevity of my face makeup when I wear one.  Eye primers are a different story.  If I wear eyeshadow without a primer underneath, it creases on me within a couple hours.  Every time.  My favorite is Urban Decay Primer Potion.

3.  Use cream products as a base.  Layering powder products on top of cream products will absorb any oil that seeps through your skin and keep your makeup on longer.
        *In lieu of a colorless eye primer, you can use a cream eyeshadow in the same or similar color to whatever powder eyeshadow you'll be putting on your lid.  I love the Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoos.
        *If you have problems with your under-eye concealer staying put, set it with a powder made for that area.  I like Bare Minerals Well Rested.  Use with a fluffy brush, such as the largest brush in this Essential Tools Hi-Def set (great value from Walmart!  I love all these brushes)
        *You can layer cream blush under powder blush if you want your blush to last longer.  I like the NYX Cream Blushes.

4.  Use face powder at the end of your makeup routine but before setting spray if you use one.  There are tons of powders out there, and it doesn't really matter if you go with loose or pressed powder, but make sure you use a big, fluffy brush, such as Sigma F30 Large Powder Brush.  Lightly buff on the powder in circular motions--this will also help to blend your makeup and blur any harsh lines from blush.  Brushes disperse the product more evenly and look more natural than the little puffs most powder compacts come with.  

5.  For extra staying power, spray your face with makeup setting spray, like Urban Decay All Nighter.  Hold the bottle 8-10" away from your face and spray 2-4 times. 

I hope this was helpful.  If you have any other tips, comment below!