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You spent an hour in the morning trying to get your eyeliner right, but by the time the clock hits 6pm - your winged tip has dissolved into a smudgy black tail. This feeling is terrible.
Instead of trying to rub it all off or salvaging what’s left, here are some tips that I stand by to make my makeup last the entire day.
TIP ONE: PRIME
If you’ve read my previous posts, I’m always waxing lyrical about primers. The fact is if you want your makeup to last a good 10 hours you need to prime! There are no two ways about it.
But don’t just focus on making sure your foundation stays put, you need to make sure your eyes are primed for success as well. Most eyeliners tend to smudge by the end of the day (blame oily lids and Singapore’s humidity levels). So to keep your winged tip in place, swipe a dash of primer on your lids to lock in your artistry skills.
I’m currently loving Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer. Undoubtedly the queen of makeup primers in the market, Smashbox has seriously mastered the art of priming our skin. The 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer is lightweight and resistant to sweat and humidity (was it made for Singapore, or what?!). A thin swipe over your lids is said to lock down your eye makeup for the entire day.
TIP TWO: MATTIFY
Let’s face it, a dewy look is good and all, but if you’re headed for a big event and you need your makeup to stay intact, a matte finish will last the extra mile. Matte foundations are best in absorbing excess sebum, which means they create the perfect base for the rest of your makeup.
But as we all know, not all matte foundations will do; most matte finishes still give you an oily T-zone by lunch time. To combat this problem, opt for foundations that are created for long wear.
My current rave is Maybelline White Superfresh. The brand says its powder foundation uses a Clean-Touch Powder System that supposedly accelerates sweat evaporation and absorbs sebum five times better than the average foundation. I tested it out on a trip to Malaysia, and my face stayed matte for a great part of the day - no blotting required.
TIP THREE: POWDER POWER
If you really must use a liquid base, powder up. Even if you have dry skin (like me) the humidity levels in Singapore will eventually cause makeup to slide off your face.
The trick is to dust a generous amount of loose powder over your liquid foundations (or just pick a powder foundation to begin with). You should also ensure that your skin is well moisturised, as this will help makeup stay on your skin. Bonus: Powder also prevents your face from over-producing sebum, which will make your makeup melt even further.
Maybelline White Superfresh, $22.90, is available at all leading pharmacies, supermarkets and hypermarkets. For more information, visit www.maybelline.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.
Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer, $35, is available at all Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.smashbox.com or www.sephora-sea.com and follow Sephora on Facebook.