There’s nothing worse than spending time perfecting your makeup only for it to crease, separate, or fade halfway through the day. Over the years, I’ve discovered the best tips, products, and hacks to keep your makeup looking flawless from morning to night—no touch-ups needed. If you want long-lasting, airbrushed-looking makeup, keep reading!
Step 1: Skincare is the Ultimate Makeup Prep
Your makeup will only look as good as the skin underneath, so starting with a solid skincare routine is key. I always begin with a vitamin C serum to brighten my complexion and give my skin that glow-from-within effect—my favorite is Bliss. After that, I apply either a moisturizer or sunscreen to hydrate my skin and create a smooth base. My go-to moisturizer is Good Molecules, but when I’m wearing sunscreen, I reach for Natural Badger. It’s organic, has minimal ingredients, and doesn’t interfere with my makeup.
On days when I need my makeup to look absolutely perfect, I use a little trick that has made such a difference: applying an eye cream after my primer in the areas where I don’t want creasing. I focus on my laugh lines and chin, and the result is insane—my makeup stays smooth all day. My favorite for this hack is the Ole Henriksen Vitamin C Eye Cream, but since it’s on the expensive side, I only do this on special occasions.
Step 2: Primer & Base Matching
Using the wrong primer and foundation combo can ruin your entire look before you even finish your makeup. The most important thing to remember is that your primer base must match your foundation base. If you’re using a water-based primer, your foundation should also be water-based. If you’re using a silicone-based primer, your foundation needs to be silicone-based as well. Once I started matching my bases, I noticed my makeup lasted way longer without separating or getting patchy.
Step 3: Foundation & Concealer That Don’t Budge
Foundation is one of those products where I think high-end brands just do it better. My all-time favorites are Giorgio Armani and Dior. Yes, they’re pricey, but I’ve never found a drugstore foundation that doesn’t separate on me after a few hours. For concealer, the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer has been my holy grail for years, and I recently discovered the NARS Soft Matte Pot Concealer, which has been a game-changer. If you struggle with acne or acne scars, this is the only product I’ve found that completely covers everything—it’s almost like magic. You would never guess I deal with acne when I use this concealer.
Step 4: The Perfect Powder Technique
If you want a flawless, crease-free complexion, how you apply your powder is just as important as the powder itself. First, I set my face with a light layer of powder before I go in with a heavier bake. Letting the powder sit for a couple of minutes helps lock everything in, but instead of dusting it off, I press it into my skin. This method ensures that my makeup won’t crease, separate, or move all day. My absolute favorite powder is the KimChi Chic Powder in the shade Banana. It’s only $19 for 24 grams, which is unheard of in the beauty industry, and even celebrity makeup artists like Makeup by Ariel use it. Once you press the powder in, your makeup will not budge.
Step 5: Bronzer, Contour & Blush Placement
For bronzer, nothing beats the Benefit Hoola Bronzer—it’s been my go-to for years. When it comes to contour, I love the Wet n Wild Dulce de Leche palette because the cool-toned shade is perfect, super pigmented, and so affordable. I also love using it as an eyeshadow since the shade blends beautifully. For blush, my favorite is Kylie Cosmetics in the shade Winter Kissed. I apply it with a stippling brush and focus it under my eyes for that doll-like, youthful look.
Step 6: Lock It In With Setting Spray
One step you should never skip is setting spray. So many people think it’s unnecessary, but I notice a huge difference in how long my makeup lasts when I use it. My go-to is the L’Oréal Infallible Setting Spray. It really locks everything in and keeps my makeup looking fresh all day.
Step 7: Highlighter That Glows Without Looking Oily
For highlighter, my all-time favorite is the ELF Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls. If you can still find it, get it! It gives the prettiest glow without looking chunky or emphasizing texture. It’s been discontinued, which is tragic, but if you come across it, you won’t regret grabbing it.
Step 8: The Lash Hack That Looks Like Extensions
The best way to apply false lashes is to place them underneath your natural lashes instead of on top. This trick makes them look exactly like lash extensions, and no one will ever know they’re strips. My favorite lashes are KISS Little Black Dress, which are only $6, and the best glue to use is the Ardell Brush-On Adhesive. The fastest way to apply them is to brush glue onto the lash band, then immediately place the lash on top of your natural lashes and comb the glue upward. Then, reapply a thin layer of glue to the lash band, wait for it to get tacky, and pop the lash underneath your natural lashes. This method makes the application process take less than a minute, and the results are flawless.
Step 9: The Secret to Lipstick That Lasts Through Anything
The final and most important step is lips. My all-time favorite lip liner that no one talks about is the Kylie Cosmetics Gel Lip Liner in the shade Coconut. This liner will stay on no matter what—I’ve eaten a whole In-N-Out double double with it on, and my lips still looked perfect afterward. It lasts for hours without needing a touch-up, which is why it’s my go-to for any long day or night out.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, makeup is meant to enhance your beauty—not define it. These steps will help your makeup stay flawless all day, but even if your foundation separates, your concealer creases, or your lashes start lifting, remember: you wear the makeup, it doesn’t wear you. Confidence is what makes any look stand out, so don’t stress the little imperfections. Own your beauty, rock your look, and carry yourself like the main character you are.
Until next time, may your lashes be full and your liner be sharp!
