What are your tips for making your base/complexion products last longer?
Lately, I’ve been trying to dust a little translucent powder onto my skin first, then a spritz of setting spray, followed by face primer and foundation. This particular order is what I saw from makeup artist Jordan Liberty on Instagram, and the method does seem to work but haven’t really tested it under intense circumstances quite yet! I also think that taking a translucent pressed powder for touch-ups works well, too, to slow down the breakdown of the products over time. If I’m going to be outside in the heat, I like creamier products as they breakdown better (less noticeable), and they can be blended back into place here and there.
— Christine
I seem to do okay with longevity, but I have mature dry skin. My biggest problem is covering red areas and having my base properly adhere in those areas. If I’m looking for ironclad, I reach for Sisley Double Tenseur as my primer. I use fingers/brush for foundation, then press in additional coverage and balance out coverage with slightly damp Sonia Kashuk marble sponge. I set with powder only around nose and chin, I do not need to set the rest of my face. I spritz with Glow Recipe Watermelon mist. I do my makeup and spray with Kate Sommervillle Uncomplikated soft focus spray.
For me, it just comes down to Estée Lauder Double Wear Makeup and a good loose setting powder (RCMA or Laura Mercier Translucent). I’ve found that Double Wear stays on better without primer. I simply moisturize, do my eyes, and by the time my eyes are done, my face is ready for foundation (Sephora #56 brush is my favorite). I tap in a bit of concealer under my eyes, then press setting powder (sparingly) all over with a powder puff, add some blush, and I’m good for the whole day. Sometimes I remember to spray my face with UD All Nighter, but honestly, I don’t really see the difference on days when I forget this step. The only touchups I ever do are to tap a bit of powder on my nose and chin if they get shiny (combination skin).
So far, just using a waterproof, yet still creamy foundation (MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation), setting with RCMA No Color Powder and a healthy spritzing of MAC Fix+. But now that I’ve read yours, Christine, I’m going to give the Jordan Liberty method a shot. Especially now that it’s looking like monsoon season is about to make a strong appearance any day now!
This is interesting. I was watching a video from Wayne Goss about 3 or 4 years ago and he talked about applying a light dusting of powder before applying foundation and I have done so ever since. I really didn’t have a problem with longevity either because I pretty dry skin but the dusting of powder and then multiple sprays of Fix + has always worked for me. I was reminded of it when Michelle Wang used a powder as a finishing powder and was told by the brand to use it under her foundation so she did and it worked perfectly. I know people either love Wayne Goss or really dislike him but frankly, he does know what he is talking about and I have adopted more than one tip from him over the years. I think Jordan Liberty is amazing too, though I think a lot of makeup artists have used this tip in the past.
I have dry skin too, and using powder underneath makes me nervous! Now I want to try it…
I think it is worth trying. Probably depends a bit on the powder and the foundation being applied over top. I use a very light hand when applying the powder. Too much and it would likely make a mess. It would be pretty cakey, I think. It is worth a try but do it when you don’t have to have a perfect face!!
Hi Christine! I’m going to try your (Jordan’s) method. Do you let things dry in between each step? (Like setting spray: do you wait for that to dry first? And how much setting spray do you use?
I let it dry down first (I go work on my eyes really) and maybe two or three sprays.
I’m pretty sure I’ve used powder below foundation – I’ve definitely used setting spray first and it does work. But it’s too much for every day, and I’ve found can make the makeup hard to blend. For every day I try to make sure my skin is well hydrated and then use Tatcha’s primer, which makes my makeup stick like absolutely no other primer I’ve ever tried. And powder with a damp beauty blender. That’s been working pretty well for me lately.
Powder before cream eyeshadows and primers is also a good trick. I have like a seven-step process to get eyeshadow to stay on my deep set, hooded, oily lids, and that’s steps 1 and 3 (powder-primer-powder-mac paint pot-eyeshadow….ok that was five steps.)
When I tried powder under my foundation recently, it settled into my lines and pores and the results were not attractive. Several years ago this technique did work for me but I think age has caught up with my skin. Now I try to remember to blot up excess oil with blotting papers before it causes my foundation to break apart.
i’m so thankful for this tip! Honestly my method was just to accept that nothing lasts forever, especially in the summer.
I just use setting powder (Rimmel matte translucent) and a good foundation that promises medium coverage…
I think the key is getting to know your own skin and trial & error. Some months some parts of my skin are dry, some times more normal, I adjust my skincare routine to this whenever I notice this (different SPF, moisturiser, etc). Also, having 2-3 primers on hand as some primers work better for foundation A, another one for foundation B.
Short story, for me, it all comes down to prepping my skin, in creating the “perfect” blank canvas. Sometimes I use a loose powder (NYX HD) to set my makeup, but for the past few months I’ve preferred a glowy look, so I haven’t been using it. Holy grail in this case is Hourglass Dim Light, but the price is too steep to buy a new one atm.
Btw, I’ve also had great results using loose powder under foundation, really working it into the skin using a powder puff 🙂
I have oily skin…and it used to be even worse. My process: 1) Start with a clean face. 2) Let skincare sink in thoroughly. 3) Use face primer that has the same base as your foundation (silicone to silicone or water to water). 4) Apply oil-free foundation. 5) Set with powder. 6) Apply concealer ON TOP of foundation and powder. 7) Use powder left on brush to set concealer. 8) Mist face with setting spray.
For really hot days, I go with Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen or Too Faced Hangover primer, BareMinerals Original Mineral Veil, a powder foundation, and then another layer of Mineral Veil. Concealer and setting spray as above.