Six ways to make your makeup last all day (and night)

From heating up lash curlers, to flame-throwing an eyeliner with a lighter to make it ‘gel’, there are heaps of beauty hacks out there. I’m thinking less GCSE science, and more ‘how to stay fresh’, in my approach to party beauty, so here are six ‘hacks’ that will keep you feeling great no matter where the clock’s hands are at tonight. *Prosecco may impact results.

By Rachel Spedding

• 1 Prep first

  Typically, the smoother the texture of your skin, the more evenly makeup is applied, and the longer it lasts. Exfoliating twice a week (to rid your skin of dead cells), will help toward this. On the night, apply a moisturiser that suits your skin type – hydration levels alter throughout the day, so try a combination product to tackle it (Vichy Liftactiv Supreme is great for this). Layer on a primer, to seal in the moisture and you’re good to go. ​
• 2 Target your highlighter

  I’m a slave to highlighter, and note a party as a key opportunity for an extra helping of ‘dewy’. Alas, with all that flash-photography kicking about (in your bedroom), a good tip to avoid ‘glow’ looking oily, is to focus the highlight on smaller areas. Brow bone, inner corner of the eye, a quick dab on the cheekbone and the cupids bow. Go to town on your collarbone though.
• 3 Add more moisture

  If your skin tends to feel tight or dry throughout an evening (or when wearing makeup for a long while), try adding a little oil to your base. Formulated with hydrating, and noursishing ingredients, a few drops of your usual face oil will brighten the skin, allowing for a more even (and comfortable) base. Rosehip is a good choice.
• 4 Pack a powder foundation

  Sure, translucent powders are great for blotting across oily skin. As are blotting wipes (so satisfying), but I’d suggest stashing a powder foundation for ‘glow control’. As well as mattifying shine, using a foundation will act as an additional touch up and minimise redness (if cutting shapes has got too much). ​
• 5 Make your lipstick last longer

  Between sips of fizz, and nibbling beige foods, it’s hard to keep a lip colour lasting past midnight. I’d suggest coating your lips in liner first to intensify the pigmentation of colour, and encourage longevity. Apply liner across your lips, then lipstick, dab with translucent powder (this will mattify, and lock in the colour), and finish with another slick of lipstick. Come at me prosecco. ​
• 6 Do the setting spray thing

  Not just a nice-smelling spritz at the end of your beauty routine, a setting spray actually prolongs the wear of your makeup (according to the experts). Formulated to help cosmetics adhere to your skin, the pros recommend a quick spray between each step of makeup application. Setting sprays can often contain alcohol, so it’s best to keep the product for party nights only, to avoid dehydrating, or irritating the skin.

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