8 Makeup Products That Help Your Makeup Last All Day

Most people need their makeup to last morning to night without looking sloppy, worn off, or greasy. Take a look at these 8 products that will help you create a flawless face that lasts all day!

Base - a product you apply before another product which allows the product on top to stick. Most pigments need a base to stick on to (this could refer to foundation) 

NYX Eyeshadow Base comes in different colors, which will transform the shadows or pigments you are using.

Primer - Primer preps the skin, by hydrating or filling pores etc., so foundation goes onto the skin smoother and lasts longer. You can also buy primers for eyes, which do the same thing with eyeshadows. The picture to the left shows what types of different primers are available.
NYX Primers are affordable and easy to get at Ulta, Target, and some drugstores.

Setting Spray - Setting Sprays are used to mesh the makeup on your face into one clean layer. It merges foundation, concealer and powder into one layer. Setting Spray will contain NO or VERY LITTLE alcohol 

Mac Fix + is a popular setting spray and something I always have on hand

Finishing Spray/Fixing Spray - A finishing spray literally finishes makeup by adding a barrier between the rest of the world and your made up face. This is your last step to make sure your makeup stays flawless all day! 

Popular Finishing Sprays 

Urban Decay All Nighter

Maybelline Master Fix

Ben Nye Final Seal

Setting Powder - Setting Powder literally sets foundation and concealer to prevent it from creasing or moving around on the face. Most people need to set any cream/liquid products with a powder. It also can be used throughout the day to "touch up" and reduce shine/oil. 

L'oreal True Match Powder is my go to setting powder
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder is great for people with oily skin


Finishing Powder - As the name implies, and what we know about finishing spray, this finishes our makeup (before any spray) and helps to reduce lines and pores which gives the look of smoother skin.
Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Powder

NYX Studio Finishing Powder

Matte - Any product that has no shine and if it is a liquid it dries flat. Eyeshadows, Foundation, Blushes, Bronzers, Lipsticks can all be matte. Matte products tend to be oil free and last the longest on the skin or lips.

Pigment - pure color, sometimes matte but can also have shimmer or glitter. Pigments tend to be loose. Most pigments need a type of sticky base to adhere to but once in place give a lot of color payoff with not a ton of product. 

Remember, it's just makeup. If you don't like it, wash it off and start again. 

Foundation 101: Formula

One of the most amazing and frustrating things about makeup right now is the hundreds and hundreds of options available. Walking through Sephora, Ulta, or any drugstore gives more choices than we know what to do with!  Foundation, also known as cover-up or base, is a staple in creating flawless skin but can easily go south if the shade, finish, or formulation that is used doesn’t mesh with our skin!

Foundation is used to even out skin and create a smooth skin texture. Our goal with using foundation is to make our skin look better with it than without it, but it is not always clear how we accomplish that! This post will explain some of the more popular formulas and who each formula is best for!

Liquid

Liquid foundations are definitely the most popular formula, with products available in almost every price range with a magnitude of finishes and shades. A liquid foundation can be found for almost any skin type. It can be applied with a brush, sponge, or fingers. 
    
Oily: Look for oil free with a Matte Finish.

Combination: This can be a bit tricky depending on each persons needs, but try oil-free lighter foundation in the summer when it is warmer and you're more likely to sweat. In the winter try a more hydrating formula as there is less moisture in the air, which dries out our skin

Dry: Luminous finishes are great for dry skin because they are less likely to stick to any dry patches on your skin.

Normal: Any finish can work on normal skin types. It really depends on what you prefer! 

Cream (or Stick)

Cream Foundations tend to be extremely full coverage and will last all day. Cream has become increasingly popular again and variations can even be found in the drugstore. Like liquid you can find creams made for people of all skin types. 

Powder

Powder foundations are great for on-the-go application and for oily skin! Powder foundation can look extremely natural when buffed into the skin with a brush!

Tinted Moisturizer/BB Cream/ CC/ DD/ Probably ZZ

Tinted moisturizers are marketed under numerous names, but they all do basically the same thing. Some may be better for super dry skin, or better for blemish prone skin but they are all a light coverage for a very natural look.  I really like tinted moisturizers on days where I want to look put together without a lot of effort. Also, tinted moisturizers are great for people who are just starting to wear makeup because it blends in easily and normally feels very light on your skin! 

My Favorite Everyday Foundations-  
Personally I wear liquid foundations most days because it's easiest for me, but use powder on vacation and cream/stick foundation when I go out at night. 

Current Favorite: Clinique Beyond Perfecting in Shade .05 Breeze (Yes I am the lightest shade... I don't go out much) This is a full coverage heavy duty foundation that leaves the skin flawless. I have pretty normal skin, but this would also be great for oily skin. It may work on dry skin if you hydrate before application. At $27 it is a great mid-range foundation. 






Drugstore Favorite:  L'oreal True Match in Shade N1 (Did I mention I'm pale?) A liquid foundation with buildable coverage without feeling too heavy on the skin makes this perfect for just about anyone. If you have dry skin check out the Lumi True Match, another favorite of mine for that luminous look!  (Normally $7-$11)







High End Favorite: Givenchy Photo'Perfexion in Shade 4 Perfect Vanilla  (I actually only like this because I'm not the lightest shade). This is a lot like True Match, but blends easier and lasts longer.  This sells for $51 at Sephora. 











Remember, it's just makeup. If you don't like it, wash it off and start again.