How to 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:
- Goodness Every Week Face Scrub
- Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 15
- La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Micellar Water
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:
- Sormé Fresh Start Primer - anti-ageing
- L'Oréal Paris Base Magique Primer
- Revlon PhotoReady™ Perfecting Primer
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
RELATED: On the hunt for natural or organic make-up?
“[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:
- 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?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
45 Member Comments
Some lovely choices, I love it when my base looks good
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
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!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
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.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
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.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 1
A setting powder is very important
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
primer primer primer! it definitely helps to stay on longer!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
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.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Also setting spray. And blotting papers if you have oily skin - otherwise the oil will break down the foundation.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
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.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
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.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I didn't like the Paula's Choice one but I would like to try one of the others to see.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Excellent tips to help foundation last with wear for night or day. Prep and prime are top tips.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
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!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Loving to see some new primers here
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
lovely suggestions
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
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.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
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!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
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!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Can't wait to try these tips and see how my makeup lasts!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
i also find using a setting mist help my makeup stay on long
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
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/
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I must say I've never used a primer in my life.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Thanks for the tips!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Primer is essential. It really does make a huge difference.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0