13 tricks to make your makeup last all day, according to pros

Prepping your skin before you apply makeup is key, says makeup artist Lucy Halperin. Start by washing your face so it’s sparkling clean, then apply a quick face mask – Halperin loves REN Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial, which does its job in a mere 60 seconds – before applying moisturiser. “The skin is plump, it’s moisturised, and it’s even-toned,” she says. “I end up putting on less foundation on than I would.”

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Even if you’re using a product with built-in primer like BB cream or tinted moisturiser, starting with a primer will even out the texture of your skin and keep your makeup in place, says Jessica Mae, founder, creative director and makeup artist of WarPaint International Beauty Agency. “Putting primer down first gives an additional layer of something to hold on to,” she says. Pick one to match your skin type: a smoothing one for large pores or fine lines, a mattifying one for oily faces, or a hydrating one for dry skin.

No matter how tempted you are to ignore your brushes and apply foundation with your fingers, this has to be a hands-off process if you want your look to stay. Otherwise the oil from your fingers could transfer to your face, and you’ll use more product than you need, Mae says. “Brushes apply the product evenly, which is the key to longevity of it,” she says. “You aren’t having a thicker layer on one side vs thinner on the other. You’ll have consistency with how the natural oils of your face mix with the product.”

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Use a light hand to apply powder blushes and bronzers. “Sweep it lightly and layer it on,” Halperin says. “Really blend it in.” Smudging away any harsh lines will make it less obvious if your makeup does start to melt away, she says.

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An eye cream will help get rid of dark circles and leave you ready for concealer. Halperin suggests Clinique Even Better Eyes, which has a metal applicator that cools the skin while you apply it. “It really smooths out the skin,” she says. But only apply under your eye – if you put it on your eyelids, the moisture will cause your eyeshadow to slip into your creases, Mae says.

You may have heard concealer is a good substitute for eye primer, but Mae says she’s found that isn’t the case. “Concealer is usually creamy in consistency, which is more emollient,” she says. “If you’re using it on the eyelid, it can cause creasing and cause eye shadow to not blend as well.” She says the best results come from a product specifically designed to prime eyes.

For a long-lasting liner, opt for a waterproof formula, or use a regular one and go over it with a powder of the same colour to set it, Halperin says. If your eyes start to get moist, put a bit of powder underneath to keep a runny mess from forming, she recommends.

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If you’re notorious for runny eyeliner, sometimes the best strategy is to stop working against nature. “If someone’s eye is waterlogged, just skip it,” Halperin says. “Just use waterproof mascara to accentuate the lashes.”

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Mascaras tend to be personal, and finding the right formula for you will help you get a lasting wear. People with watery eyes should opt for waterproof, but other than that, it’s trial and error, Mae says. “Get samples sizes from your favourite makeup counter and try a few to find the perfect one that works for you,” she says. To avoid ruining your makeup before you’re even done applying, avoid getting mascara transfer on your eyelids. Mae recommends starting with bottom lashes and let them dry before adding product to the top.

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A lot of lipsticks marketed as long-lasting can be drying, Halperin says. Start by filling in your lips with lip liner before applying your lipstick, which will give a waxiness that the lipstick can grip on. “It gives it a longevity because the lips have already been based with that colour,” Halperin says.