Make Your Foundation Last All Night

Unless you’re willing to carry a handbag half the size of your body around, having make-up on hand for touch-ups at all times can be a real pain. Especially foundation, which always seems to be the thing to leak, break and take up the most space (with the exception of products like Klara Cosmetics Foundation Stick). So we enlisted the help of professional make-up artists, Eloise Proust, Tobi Henney (female) and Sheri Vegas to teach us their tricks for making foundation last all night (or all day) long.

Tip #1 Skin prep

“Skin preparation is everything when it comes to how your foundation will sit on your skin and how long it will last. Make sure you exfoliate your skin twice a week, and if you have dry skin use a light, fast absorbing moisturiser before you apply your primer and foundation.” - Eloise

RELATED: What is micellar water?

RELATED: Tips for covering problem skin

“I always begin a make-up [look] with Bioderma Créaline, which removes any excess oil and make-up residue.” - Tobi

bh recommends:

SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

Tip #2 Prime

“A great primer is a very important step for how well your base will last. I recommend silicone-based primers which have a beautiful silky feel to them. They are great to fill in uneven skin texture, pores and fine lines to give the illusion of smooth even skin when foundation is applied.” - Eloise

bh recommends:

primers

Tip #3 Choose the best products for your skin type

“The correct foundation for your skin type is key. Choose a dewy hydrating foundation for dry skin types and a more matte finish foundation for combination to oilier skin.” - Eloise

RELATED: The best foundations under $20

“[Making your foundation last] is all about using the right skin care and foundation for your skin type. If you find that your foundation is disappearing it could be as simple as changing your foundation and choosing between a primer and/or a moisturiser. For oily skin go for an oil-free primer with a longwear foundation and press your powder into your skin. For dry or dehydrated skin go for a moisturiser with a hydrating foundation and a little dusting of sheer loose powder just down the t-zone.” - Sheri

bh recommends:

FOUNDATIONS FOR SKIN TYPES

Innoxa Pollution Protect Foundation (for dry skin)
Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15 (for dry skin)
Clarins Ever Matte Foundation SPF 15 (for oily skin)
Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation (for oily skin)

Tip #4 Set with powder

“My best tip for making foundation last is setting the skin with powder. One of my favourite products to finish make-up with is M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish Natural powder.” - Tobi

bh tip: If you have dry patches, avoid using powder in these areas as it can cause a flakey finish. Instead focus on the oiler parts of your face (as these are the parts that tend to need touching up), which is commonly the t-zone.

What are your tips for making foundation last?

45 Member Comments

Shop A Everyday 21 Jan 2018 7:57 PM

Some lovely choices, I love it when my base looks good

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bebeautiful34 13 Jan 2018 10:34 AM

Great tips, I do all of these then spray with a setting spray afterwards. I hate retouching my makeup throughout the day so I make sure it stays put!

Goddess..... 25 Aug 2017 10:12 PM

As long as you pick the right foundation for your skin type you should have no problem's lucky for me I've already done this.

Abbey193 10 Aug 2017 4:06 PM

Skin prep!

TheUglyDuckling 7 Aug 2017 12:08 PM

I absolutely agree to the point regarding skincare helping your foundation last. If you have a good skincare routine and if you have the right moisturiser and primer, everything else falls into place.

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Miss19 30 Apr 2017 3:17 PM

A setting powder is very important

jlsta 28 Feb 2017 2:27 PM

primer primer primer! it definitely helps to stay on longer!

katrina176 27 Sep 2016 7:43 PM

Some great tips here. I find in the warmer weather, my foundation doesn't quite make it through the day due to heat. Will look into some of these tips.

Jane rover 2 Sep 2016 10:53 PM

Also setting spray. And blotting papers if you have oily skin - otherwise the oil will break down the foundation.

Simonja 6 Jun 2016 2:48 PM

Silicone based primers? Never heard of them but they sound promising. I guess if the current primer doesn't work it is always worth to try another.

itspaige 31 May 2016 10:15 PM

I used to have an extremely oily face and found it hard to keep my face staying matte throughout the day, i started using Palmers lightweight moisturizer for sensitive skin and it is honestly the best moisturizer I've used! It's also cruelty free.

darasparkle 12 Apr 2016 11:26 PM

I didn't like the Paula's Choice one but I would like to try one of the others to see.

talk-a-lot 29 Mar 2016 6:27 PM

Excellent tips to help foundation last with wear for night or day. Prep and prime are top tips.

Keesha792 18 Mar 2016 12:47 PM

I like Loreal's primer mentioned here but I think Max Factor Face Finity is fabulous as well! I too agree skin care is everything for foundation application and longevity but I've come to completely understand that no matter what I do, asking my foundation to last from 630am to 630pm is too much. Even long wear formulations just dont do this for me on a good skin care day, touch ups are required. As much as Bobbi Brown Skin is wonderful, it's not one I'd recommend for long wear either, it's very dewy and gorgeous though!

Shop A Everyday 28 Feb 2016 8:37 PM

Loving to see some new primers here

Aleisharobinson_ 23 Feb 2016 4:04 PM

lovely suggestions

Khajiit 15 Feb 2016 9:19 PM

I have a hard time finding a moisturiser I can use before applying makeup. I find my skin doesn't absorb quick enough and leaves me looking oily later in the day.

PeachSmiles 16 Feb 2016 11:12 PM

Have you tried Clinique's Dramatically Different moisturizer? A friend of mine introduced me to it and now I swear by it. It's so good!

katie975 7 Jan 2016 7:22 PM

Can't wait to try these tips and see how my makeup lasts!

stacey81 4 Jan 2016 8:50 PM

i also find using a setting mist help my makeup stay on long

LittleSarah 22 Jan 2016 3:52 AM

great post, will try tonight ! also. if you wanna know most suitable oily skin foundation, check this post: http://thevenusface.com/best-foundation-for-oily-skin/

Beckky 31 Dec 2015 6:00 PM

I must say I've never used a primer in my life.

Steph Sweets 30 Dec 2015 5:01 PM

Thanks for the tips!

Rose_P 29 Dec 2015 12:20 PM

Primer is essential. It really does make a huge difference.

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