Reader Request: How To Make Your Makeup Last

I was asked by a reader if there was a way to help her makeup (specifically her eye
makeup) last through out the night, so I came up with this tutorial for her and I hope this helps some of you as well.

note: all products are M.A.C. unless stated otherwise.

1. You’ll want to start with a clean and moisturized face. Depending on the moisturizer that you use, it should take between five to ten minutes or so for the moisturizer to absorb into your skin.

2. Once the moisturizer has fully absorbed, apply your foundation primer. The primer will help to fill in any pores, lines and wrinkles on the face and create a smooth and even surface for your foundation. I use Sephora’s Smoothing Primer.  One pump will be more than enough to cover your entire face.

3. Next, apply your concealer underneath your eyes and/or to the areas that need to be concealed. For underneath my eye, I use a concealer that is one to two shades lighter than my skin tone. Going a shade or two lighter with your concealer will help to highlight the under eye area, which will help you look more awake and refreshed. If you need to conceal any blemishes, use a concealer that is the same shade as your skin tone.

4. Next, apply your foundation or tinted moisturizer, for this you can use either a foundation brush, a sponge or your fingers.
Apply your foundation or tinted moisturizer all over your face making sure to blend carefully. Don’t forget to bring the foundation under your chin, as you’ll want it to look seamless. Next apply a loose or pressed powder to set your foundation/tinted moisturizer. I recommend using Blot Powder.

5. Apply an eye-shadow primer to your eyelids; from the the lash line, all the way up to the brow bone. I use Urban Decay’s Primer Potion.
Using a primer will help to prolong the wear of your eye-shadow and prevent the eye-shadow from creasing.

6. I applied Canton Candy to the eye lid only — using a clean finger. Next, I used a blending brush to apply a soft wash of Espresso eyeshadow to define my crease. Then I used a large, flat shader brush to apply Expensive Pink to my eye lids, after-which, I applied a mixture of All That Glitters and Wood-Winked eye-shadows to my brow bone as a highlight.

7. Liner & mascara; I used a black waterproof eyeliner by Lise Watier. Apply it as close to the lash line as possible — to further define your eyes. By doing this you will make your lashes appear fuller. Next, I applied several coats of Lash Blast waterproof mascara by Cover Girl.

8. Next, smile and apply your blush to the apples of your cheeks. Gently pat on the colour with the side of your brush, then blend up and outwards — toward the hairline.

9. Apply your favourite lip gloss or lipstick. I used Gosh Cosmetics On Stage Cool Lip Jam in # 105.