Makeup Labs

Makeup That Lasts All Day: Our Top Product Picks

Written by

Sara Elhazimy

in

,

There’s nothing worse than spending ages doing your makeup only to check the mirror a few hours later and realise half of it has disappeared. Foundation starts separating, blush fades, concealer creases and somehow your mascara has ended up under your eyes instead of on your lashes. The truth is, long lasting makeup isn’t just about buying expensive products. It’s about using the right products in the right order. Once you get that part right, your makeup has a much better chance of lasting from morning until night.

Here are the products I’d build a long lasting makeup routine around.

In This Guide:

  1. Prep your skin
  2. Prime your makeup
  3. Set with powder
  4. Lock everything in
  5. Honorable mentions

1. Start With Your Skin

Long lasting makeup starts before you even reach for foundation.

If your skin feels dry or dehydrated, your makeup is much more likely to separate or wear away throughout the day. Taking a minute to prep your skin properly makes a bigger difference than most people realise.

The Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum is a great first step. It feels lightweight, absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling smooth and comfortable before makeup. While it’s best known for brightening the complexion, it also helps create a fresh base that makeup sits beautifully on.

Apply it before the rest of your routine and let it absorb for a minute before moving on to primer.

Caudalie is cruelty free and offers vegan products, including the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. The brand also supports environmental initiatives through its partnership with 1% for the Planet.

2. Give Your Makeup Something to Hold Onto

Primer is one of those products people often skip, but it can make a huge difference to how long your makeup lasts.

The e.l.f. Power Grip Primer has a lightweight gel texture that helps foundation grip to the skin while keeping everything looking fresh throughout the day.

Apply a thin layer after your skincare and allow it to become slightly tacky before applying foundation.

e.l.f. is completely vegan, cruelty free and certified by both PETA and Leaping Bunny.

3. Set It Lightly

Powder helps lock your makeup in place, but more isn’t always better. Using too much can leave your skin looking dry or cakey, especially under the eyes.

The Kosas Cloud Set Loose Setting & Blurring Powder in Candy is great for taking down unwanted shine without making your skin look flat. The soft pink shade also helps brighten the complexion, making it a lovely choice for setting under the eyes.

Keep the application light and focus on the areas that actually need it, like the under eyes, around the nose and through the T-zone. That way, your makeup stays in place while the rest of your skin keeps its natural glow.

Kosas is vegan and cruelty-free.

4. Lock Everything In

The final step is the one that brings everything together.

Once you’ve finished your makeup, spray the ONE/SIZE On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray evenly across your face to help lock everything into place.

It’s designed to resist sweat, humidity and water for up to 16 hours, making it a great choice for long work days, nights out or summer holidays.

Let it dry naturally before touching your face for the best results.

ONE/SIZE is vegan and cruelty free.

Honorable Mentions

These products don’t quite fit into the routine above, but they’re definitely worth mentioning if long lasting makeup is your goal.

The Sacheu Beauty Lip Liner STAY N Peel Off Lip Stain has become incredibly popular for a reason. Apply it, leave it to develop, then peel it away to reveal a lip stain that lasts through meals, drinks and hours of wear without constantly reapplying your lip colour.

Sacheu Beauty is cruelty free, vegan and independently owned.

If waterproof mascara is your priority, the Lancôme Lash Idôle Lash Lifting & Volumizing Waterproof Mascara is one of the best options for keeping lashes lifted without smudging or flaking throughout the day.

Lancôme itself isn’t cruelty free, as the brand sells in markets where animal testing may be required by law and isn’t certified by Leaping Bunny or PETA.

The Full Product List

Long lasting makeup isn’t about finding one magic product.

It’s all about building your routine in the right order. Prep your skin, use a good primer, set your makeup with a light layer of powder and finish with a setting spray. Those simple steps can make a much bigger difference than constantly touching up your makeup throughout the day.

Featured Products

References:

 

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