Fellow makeup enthusiasts will agree with me when I tell you that hardly any 'long lasting' makeup is actually long lasting. I'm talking hard to get off after 6-8 hours long lasting. Especially drug store brand 'long lasting'. Except for mascara. I don't know what they put in water proof mascara and I'm pretty damn sure I don't want to find out.
But, after being out of the real work force for so long I kind of may have forgotten about how important actual long lasting makeup is. After a few weeks of experimenting, I have found what works the best for the longest for my skin. I've also completely reorganized the makeup I keep in my purse to minimize the amount of time I have to spend touching up during the day - but that's for another post (look for it in a few weeks).
Firstly, I'm not going to tell you that the less you touch your face the longer the stuff you put on it will last, because you know that already.But I will tell you that less isn't necessarily more when it comes to making your makeup last all day long.
But, after being out of the real work force for so long I kind of may have forgotten about how important actual long lasting makeup is. After a few weeks of experimenting, I have found what works the best for the longest for my skin. I've also completely reorganized the makeup I keep in my purse to minimize the amount of time I have to spend touching up during the day - but that's for another post (look for it in a few weeks).
Firstly, I'm not going to tell you that the less you touch your face the longer the stuff you put on it will last, because you know that already.But I will tell you that less isn't necessarily more when it comes to making your makeup last all day long.
I have a lot of problems with foundation (and therefore blushes, highlighters and bronzers) not lasting all day. Always have, and so long as I have oily skin, always will. The 2 things I've found that make my foundation last 2-3 hours longer are a good primer and a good setting powder. I have tried so many dang primers and for the longest time I thought that I would never find one that does what primers are supposed to do: hold your makeup on your face and keep it from fading, creasing or sliding as the day goes by. On a whim I bought a trio pack of PurMinerals primers and as much as I cringe at the price, I don't think I'll ever go back to using any other primer.
I'm much less attached to the setting powder I use - the Makeup Forever HD Powder, but it does it's job well and will continue to do so until I run out. I probably won't repurchase that one though because I know that the Elf and NYX setting powders are just as good and a fraction of the price. I do love the setting spray I use: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is fantastic. I spray it after I've put on primer/foundation and then again when I'm completely finished with my makeup. I'm not really the 'all nighter' sort (I've been going to bed at 10:30 since I've started my job. Partay over hereeeee)
For Eyes:
You really get what you pay for with eyeshadows. Drugstore brands just do not last on my eyes for more than a second, so I'm gonna stick with my 2 favorites: my Mac quad in Inner Strength and my Naked 3 palette. I've had to stop using pencil eye liners because I've yet to find one that doesn't end up sliding down my face within 2 hours of applying. Powder on an angled brush along my upper and lower lash line works well, and lasts longer.
If I'm feeling bold, the only liquid eyeliner I use is the Stila Stay All Day Liner, which does just that. It stays all day. Eyelid primers, like mascara, are really to each their own. I really like Benefit's Stay Don't Stray and Mac's Paint Pots (a shadow and primer in one - it really is worth all the hype). The mascara I've been using a lot recently has been the Marc Jacobs mascara that came in a Sephora Favorites kit. I don't know anything about Marc Jacobs makeup but if the other products are as no nonsense as the mascara I might have to look into them.
For Lips:
Y'all are probably tired of me waxing on and on and on and on about NYX lip products but I'll stop when I find something that works better and lasts longer (that's cheaper). The lip creams have become a staple for me at work because A) there are so many pretty colors to choose from and B) they last a crazy long time and C) they are very easy to apply quickly at my desk. The Sephora brand Lip Creams are to DIE for but they don't have many non-bright/sparkle colors. Same goes for Cailyn Lip Stains. That shit will stay on your mouth for days if you let it - but they're kind of pricey and colors sell out really quick.
For days that I want less color on my lips, I generally stick to a tinted (not sticky) lip balm and reapply whenever. A recent favorite has been the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Smitten. The biggest downside to wearing actual lipstick to work: I feel miiighty awkward putting on lipstick at my desk, so I'm (sadly) mostly staying away from lipsticks. For the time being, though, I'm learning to be sneaky.
What have you discovered makes your makeup last longer? Have any brands you think I should try? Let me know!
