How To Ensure Your Makeup Lasts All Day & Still Looks Perfect –Top Tips From A Professional Makeup Artist To Take Note Of
You spend precious time perfecting your make-up, but you’ve got a long day ahead — working, travelling, or even shopping — and don’t want to look like you’ve been through battle just by lunch time. How do you keep makeup looking as flawless as when you’d just applied it for as long as possible?
We tapped into the expertise of celebrity makeup artist Kenneth Chia, who shares 10 tips for looking and feeling your best and ensuring that your makeup lasts throughout the day.
It's all about the base
“The longest-lasting base starts with happy skin,” notes Kenneth. But how do you get your skin to a state of happiness? Hydration. Not only does it ensure that your skin looks plump and nourished, which has the added benefit of making dehydration-related fine lines and texture less visible, but it also makes the face a smoother canvas for makeup to lay atop.
Top tip #1: “Drink lots of water and hydrate your skin intensely in the mornings and at nights,” shares Kenneth.
Besides drinking water from the beloved Owala tumbler, you can apply a hydrating mask regularly too. The viral Biodance Hydro Cera-nol Real Deep Mask is infused with glacial water, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides.
Top tip #2: “Always apply in thin layers, whether it is skincare, base makeup, and everything else,” says Kenneth.
For base makeup, consider the viral Tirtir Mask Fit Red Cushion. The thin formula has high coverage, so you will need very little to even out your complexion. Otherwise, consider adding the ever-dependable Beautyblender Pro for a light yet seamless application.
Beautyblender Pro ($32). Shop here
Top tip #3: Do not apply too much concealer on areas of your face susceptible to crease lines. Crease lines inevitably appear as we smile, frown, or make various expressions throughout the day. “In fact, you should apply concealer around the lines, avoiding the line itself as it will make the lines less prominent,” Kenneth shares.
Consider using a lightweight concealer with brightening properties, such as the cult favourite Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiance Perfecting Pen. The brush-tip applicator also helps with targeted application that resists being heavy-handed. Apply it with quality makeup brushes and a sponge from the Real Techniques by Sam & Nic Everyday Essentials Brush Set, and remember: use light layers.
(Left) Aietia 8 Pcs Powder Puff ($7.99). Buy here. (Right) Maybelline Fit Me Loose Powder ($22.28). Buy here
Ready, set, glow
Once you’ve applied foundation and concealer, it is time to set your makeup. Setting your makeup extends its wear time, which is critical if you want it to last through Singapore’s heat and humidity.
Top tip #4: Rather than following the trend of baking with tons of powder, Kenneth prefers to press a thin layer of powder using a puff instead of a brush. “It will lock the layers together better without looking heavy.”
For this step, use the Aietia Powder Puff, which comes in a handy set of eight puffs, and the Maybelline Fit Me Loose Powder. The former comes in a set of eight puffs so you can wash or replace them every so often for greater hygiene while the latter comes in five shades ranging from Fair to Medium Deep.
But what if you want to achieve the coveted Korean glow while maximising the longevity of your hard work?
Top tip #5: “Keep your products natural and matte,” says Kenneth. “Use a balm highlighter to finish your look so you get the best of both worlds.”
Whether you prefer a drier stick formula like the Merythod Aurora Highlighter or a balmier texture that the Patrick Ta Major Glow All-Over Glow Balm has, apply these highlighters on the back of your hands first. Then, use your fingers, beauty sponge, or makeup brush to lightly tap onto the high points of your face where you want to glow.
Patrick Ta Major Glow All-Over Glow Balm ($87). Buy here
Finally, finish your makeup by locking everything in place with a setting or fixing spray. What’s the difference between the two?
Top tip #6: You may have only heard of setting sprays, but fixing sprays is the true key to makeup longevity. As Kenneth explains, “To rehydrate your makeup and keep it intact, use a setting spray. But if you really want to lock your makeup in place, use a fixing spray instead.”
The One/Size On Til Dawn Setting Spray also touts to offer water- and transfer-proof prowess with up to 16 hours of mattifying performance. Meanwhile, the MKUP Really Long Fixing Spray provides an inner shield that moisturises the skin underneath and an outer shield that protects against cakiness and makeup wearing off.
(Left) Clio Velvet Lip Pencil ($15.14). Buy here. (Right) Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipstick ($16.90-$17.10). Buy here
Lip service
Lipsticks rarely last through eating or drinking (or snacking throughout a stressful work day) While you might be tempted to pick up a long-wearing matte liquid lipstick in order to remedy that problem, Kenneth advises against doing so.
Top tip #7: “You want your lips to feel comfortable and be quick and easy to touch up. Matte lipsticks crack and dry you out. It also will not last the way you want them to while eating or drinking. To polish it up, bring a mini travel lip liner.”
The Clio Velvet Lip Pencil is available in six natural shades, which will match any lip colour you choose to pair it with. The Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipstick, on the other hand, is formulated with vitamin E and avocado to offer a high-colour, creamy, and moisturised finish. There are also a ton of shades to choose from.
Red lips are notoriously difficult to maintain. “Instead, go for a colour that feels like red but is not one. Brick red, strong coral, or warm rose would give the same feeling and be more forgiving to wear,” explains Kenneth.
Consider Peripera Ink Mood Glowy Tint in 24 Coral Pride and Gucci Beauty Rouge à Lèvres Satin Lipstick in 500 Odalie Red. Peripera is a lip gloss that offers a shiny, plumped-up look, while Gucci’s lipstick leaves a saturated satin finish.
Gucci Beauty Rouge à Lèvres Satin Lipstick in 500 Odalie Red ($65). Buy here
Top tip #8: If you have dry, flaky lips, Kenneth has a simple solution: “Bring a lip scrub.” “Talking and eating dry out the lips, and no lipstick will save you from flaking. Alternatively, use a mini toothbrush and mild toothpaste to brush the dry flakes off.”
Pick the format you prefer for lip scrubs. Canmake Tokyo Plump Lip Care Scrub Plus+ is a bullet lipstick that is more clutch-friendly, while Lush’s Bubblegum Lip Scrub might be more abrasive and exfoliate better.
Touch (up) and go
Despite our best efforts with all the above steps, makeup might still get smudged. You might accidentally smudge your eyeliner when scratching your eyes or your lipstick when the wind blocks hair into your face.
Top tip #9: Kenneth suggests “keeping some small cotton buds stashed with you to touch up any creases, lip or eyeliner smudges, or to quickly blend them into something that looks intentional.”
The LastSwab Reusable Cotton Swab is an environmentally friendly alternative to the single-use cotton bud, as it can be washed. To conceal and cover more severe smudges, such as black eyeliner or mascara runs, use the MustaeV Spot Eraser Concealer Pencil.
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission. Prices are correct at the time of publishing.
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