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What's your best tip for making your foundation last?


What’s your best tip for making your foundation last? Share!

A good primer underneath and setting with powder by pressing, not just dusting, it on.

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21 Comments

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Jessica Avatar

Best thing I did was to switch to Revlon Colorstay. That stuff lasts for hours, even on oily skin. MAC Prep+Prime transparent powder is good over Revlon Colorstay, seems to prevent makeup transfers onto clothes. Also, oil blotting sheets–the blue ones!

Jade Avatar

Definitely what Christine said, I’ve only just cottoned onto “pressing” my powder into my skin. It’s also very important to choose skincare which suits your skin type and sits well under makeup. If your skin is dry and not hydrated, your foundation will go patchy and not last. If your skin is oily and not mattified (but still hydrated!!) your foundation will break down. I used to lean more on my foundation to suit my skintype, but I figured out now that my skincare has a huge part to play.

Kera Avatar

I just discovered that pressing the powder instead of dusting tip! I was shocked when I wiped my face and no foundation came off! It takes a little extra time to do the pressing but totally worth it! Primer, press powder technique, and a good setting spray like UD’s all nighter spray does the trick for me.

xamyx Avatar

Corn starch; instead of a using a setting powder, use corn starch. If you look at the ingredients of those powders specifically designed for extremely oily skin, you’ll notice they list corn starch instead of talc, as it is more absorbant. An added bonus is that it is *alot* cheaper.

lauren Avatar

moisturize, prime LET IT SET, URBAN DECAY DESLICK before and after your foundation! won’t budge and you won’t look like a grease ball either

Mariella Avatar

for sure, a good primer (Hourglass is my all time favourite). A good setting powder (MAC Prep & Prime is one of my stand-bys, but I have a few others) also helps but not as much as a primer does.

Helen Avatar

Apply liquid foundation with a Beauty Blender sponge using the dab method (pushing the foundation onto the skin instead of sweeping brush strokes).
Then blot the face with a single-ply tissue (split a regular two-ply tissue) to remove any of the oil (for us oilier faces) and then apply loose powder by (again pressing and rolling, like giving a finger-print) into the skin instead of sweeping w/brush. This will keep the foundation in place for a long, long, LoNG time.

Jenny Avatar

I don’t use foundation, just OCC concealer, but… I find that if I use something like UD’s De-Slick or All-Nighter my concealer and blush last much longer. I have a small tube of their primer potion for skin, too, and that seems to impart both smoother application and longer wear.

blueraccoon Avatar

Should you use a sponge or puff for pressing powder on? Normally I set with my pressed Meteorites compact, and I just dab the puff all over my face–is this what I should be doing, or am I missing a trick?

Susan Nevling Avatar

I use primer underneath. a clear HD loose powder lightly on top and a setting spray. I also buff with a flat brush before the setting spray.

Angela Avatar

Putting foundation in the fridge to chill makes a huge difference for me. I started chilling my covergirl oil control foundation, and it lasts soo long, it was like having a new foundation. Plus the coolness feels really nice and helps calm down any acne you have.

Also, using milk of magnesia as a primer for oily skin is great. Cheap, works just as good as high end oil control primers. You can find it in any drugstore.

Christina Avatar

urban decay setting sprays are my lifesavers! I do one thin layer of foundation, spray it on my t-zone, and then apply another layer, and set it one more time

Paula Avatar

1. Apply moisturizer (or sunscreen if during the day). Let it sink in.
2. Get a blotting sheet and blot out excess oil that may have accumulated.
3. Apply foundation (I use shiseido sun protection liquid foundation) without piling too much product.
4. Let it dry.
5. Blot out the excess oil again.
6. Set with my kroylan transluscent powder with patting motion using a sponge.

Works everytime on my very oily skin. 🙂

Nikki Avatar

I’ve learned that what I put on underneath my foundation determines how well it will last as oppose to what’s put on top. Therefore, I moisturizer and primer make the biggest difference for me. I start with cleansed skin (using Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser), then I apply my moisturizer (Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin). A good moisturizer is key because it adds the prefect amount of moisture without adding unwanted shine (for my combination skin). I allow my moisturizer to sink in for at least 5 minutes, then I apply my primer (Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel)and allow it to sink in while I’m applying my body moisturizer and doing my eye makeup. I let it sit for at least 5 mintues, but I’ve learned that the longer it has to sink in the better my foundation lasts. Once my eyes and brows are completed, I apply my liquid foundation (MUFE F&B) with no powder on top, and I’m good for a beautiful, natural look that lasts the day without touch ups! 🙂

Ruca Avatar

A descent primer is fundamental, but the key is SKINDINAVIA! (If you use UD’s setting spray, you’re good–UD’s spray IS Skindinavia with a private label).

I occasionally enjoy a light dusting of a finely milled setting powder, but only on a “good skin day.” The fact is, if you’re over 35, powders can make you look older (even really nice powders). A nice foundation that doesn’t need powder along with a moisturizing setting spray is simply golden for us older ladies. 😉

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