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Staying power: How to make your makeup last longer

Meld Magazine

Wed Jun 08 2011

Rimmel 24hr Mousse Blush, Sleek blush, Benetint Cheek Stain

JUST because exam season is upon us doesn’t mean you have to look tired and dishevelled after all those late nights and marathon study sessions at the library. How do some people still manage to look so good? Emily Quak compiles a list of tips and trips to help your makeup last longer.

MAC Paintpot (eyeshadow base) and Benefit Creaseless cream Eyeshadow are some of the great cream eyeshadows you can use as a base for your eye makeup. Photo: Emily Quak

MAC Paintpot (eyeshadow base) and Benefit Creaseless cream Eyeshadow are some of the great cream eyeshadows you can use as a base for your eye makeup. Photo: Emily Quak

Eyes

You can prolong the life of your eyeshadow by applying an eyeshadow primer. This creates a base for your eyeshadow to cling to, and helps it stay vibrant and, more importantly, on your eyelid. If you don’t have primer, you can also apply a very thin layer of cream eyeshadow onto your lid instead, and then apply your normal eyeshadow on top.

Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliner, MAC Fluidline gel eyeliner, SAX Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner. Photo: Emily Quak

Face of Australia Liquid Eyeliner, MAC Fluidline gel eyeliner, SAX Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner. Photo: Emily Quak

If you are worried about the life of your eyeliner, the key is also to layer. You can use a liquid liner to “seal” your pencil or gel eyeliner, so it stays put all day. Just apply your pencil/gel eyeliner, and go over it with the liquid eyeliner. Simple!

Face of Australia Face Base Primer is a great budget face primer. It is also oil free, and moisturizes the skin, which is perfect for winter. Photo: Emily Quak

Face of Australia Face Base Primer is a great budget face primer. It is also oil free, and moisturizes the skin, which is perfect for winter. Photo: Emily Quak

Face

A face primer kills two birds with one stone. It helps keep your foundation long lasting and keeps the oiliness at bay. You can find a primer no matter what budget you’re on. There are all kinds of primers out there that cater to every budget.

Pressed powders like the one from Face of Australia (pictured, left) are a great way to keep the oiliness at bay when you’re on the go. Just toss into your handbag and powder your face anywhere. If you’re at home, you might want to try the famous Laura Mercier translucent loose powder (pictured, right)

Pressed powders like the one from Face of Australia (pictured, left) are a great way to keep the oiliness at bay when you’re on the go. Just toss into your handbag and powder your face anywhere. If you’re at home, you might want to try the famous Laura Mercier translucent loose powder (pictured, right). Photo: Emily Quak

You can also use a loose powder to “set” your face makeup. Loose powders settle into your skin and help hold your makeup in place, and they absorb oil and provide a lovely professional finish to your skin. Heaven sent? I think so.

Rimmel 24hr Mousse Blush, Sleek blush, Benetint Cheek Stain. Photo: Emily Quak

Rimmel 24hr Mousse Blush, Sleek blush, Benetint Cheek Stain. Photo: Emily Quak

Cheeks

Blusher really helps give you that healthy and radiant glow, but how do you make it last? A great way to keep your blush on all day is to invest in a cheek stain. Waterproof cheek stains provide that extra staying power – so the apples of your cheeks stay rosy and pretty all day.

But if you’re not willing to spend money on yet another makeup product, you can try the age-old layering technique. All you have to do is apply your blush, then buff it into your skin with a foundation brush, or the same brush you used to apply it. Apply an extra layer of blush on top of the buffed-out blush, and then buff it out again. Repeat till you get the right intensity.

Milani lip liner, Rimmel Vinyl Jelly lip liner, Estée Lauder Pure Colour Lipstick. Photo: Emily Quak

Milani lip liner, Rimmel Vinyl Jelly lip liner, Estée Lauder Pure Colour Lipstick. Photo: Emily Quak

Lips

Lip products are tricky, with all the eating and drinking you do throughout the day. One tip for making your lip colour last longer is to apply lip liner to the entire lip, and then apply your lipstick or lip gloss over it. The lip liner should be the same colour as your lipstick or gloss.

Armed with these tricks, your makeup is sure to last longer and save you the precious time you would otherwise waste worrying about smudging or having to run to the ladies’ for a touch up.

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