How to Make Foundation and Concealer Last for All Skin Types

Tired of foundations and concealers that seem to slide right off your face halfway through the day or that go on patchy and unevenly? We’re not going to let that happen anymore. Here’s a game plan for making your foundation and concealer last and last!

How to Prepare Skin for Makeup Application

How you prep your face and take care of your skin is the first line of defense in helping your foundation and concealer look flawless throughout the day. Here’s what you can do from a skincare perspective to enhance and maintain the results.

Start the day by using a gentle cleanser to remove excess oil and debris that can interfere with the performance of foundation and concealer. However, ensure that the cleanser doesn’t dry your skin, as it can create uneven texture. Think of it as creating a clean, soft, smooth slate for your skin.

Refine skin’s texture with an AHA or BHA chemical exfoliant. By gently and naturally (meaning no scrubs or harsh cleansing brushes) getting rid of built-up dead skin and flakiness, your makeup products will go on more evenly for a seamless appearance. Tip: You don’t have to use an AHA or BHA chemical exfoliant in the morning; adding it to your nightly routine will prep your skin beautifully for the following morning.

Then, apply a light layer of eye cream to soften the appearance of fine lines and keep the eye area hydrated, smooth, and brightened.

Finally, use a primer with SPF to smooth, hydrate, and protect your skin all in one. A primer that combines these benefits (rather than using three separate products) reduces the likelihood of your makeup slipping throughout the day and settling into fine lines. It also creates a surface that is easier for foundation and concealer to glide across and adhere to.

Applying Foundation and Concealer to Last

How you apply your foundation and concealer on your face absolutely affects how long it will last. Use the techniques we describe below to ensure your foundation and concealer perform at their absolute best.

Start with a thin layer of foundation, then build more coverage if needed. A thick layer of makeup is more prone to sliding off your face throughout the day because it just can’t adhere as well to the skin.

If you have oily skin, try an absorbent mattifying foundation primer before applying sunscreen and foundation. This can go a long way toward keeping excess shine in check, so your makeup lasts (and looks better) longer. Also, consider a matte-finish foundation for longer-lasting wear.

When it comes to concealer, start with a light amount and build to get the coverage you want. Pat the concealer in place with care using your fingers, brush, or wand. Do not use a back-and-forth or rubbing motion, as that basically wipes the concealer away as soon as you apply it, leaving you with spotty coverage. Whether you apply the concealer before your foundation or after is a personal preference—experiment to see what works best for you.

Last and most important: Set with powder. No matter what type of concealer you use, your makeup will last longer with powder over it. Not a thick layer of powder (which can emphasise fine lines and dry spots on the face), just a soft dusting brushed on areas where you’ve applied foundation and concealer. You can brush on a bit more over oil-prone areas.

Additional Tips for Longer-Lasting Makeup

Try not to unnecessarily touch your face throughout the day or hold your phone propped against your face. We unknowingly touch our faces hundreds of times during the day, and that contact continually wears down our makeup. Try your best to limit that contact and avoid things that could disturb your makeup.

Carry blotting papers with you to dab off the excess oil on your skin that would normally cause makeup to slip and dissipate. A midday touch-up of powder, where needed, can help. Also, if your blush has faded, touch that up as well.

What About Makeup-Setting Sprays?

Most makeup setting sprays are similar to hairspray in that they contain water and/or alcohol combined with ingredients that create a "seal" on the skin's surface. They may help makeup last a little longer, but their ingredients tend to be problematic for skin over the long haul. Some setting sprays actually make matters worse, breaking down your makeup instead of helping it.

For setting sprays that contain beneficial ingredients, keep in mind that those ingredients won’t be all that effective at nourishing skin because they won’t likely be able to get through your layer of makeup.

The Best Foundation and Concealer for Your Skin Type

Last but certainly not least, pairing the right consistency of foundation and concealer with your skin type and coverage needs is paramount to getting beautiful, long-wearing results.

These hints and guidelines will make all the difference in getting longer-lasting results! Shop at Paula’s Choice Singapore today for makeup primer and skincare products that best prep your skin. To learn more about makeup routines and products, browse our skincare advice page.