Let’s be honest. If anyone was to compute the number of hours we spend putting on makeup in a year we might be a bit appalled by the figure that emerges. While there’s no need to feel guilty about looking good, it is annoying to discover that the half-hour you spent on your face in the morning has completely gone down the drain by mid-afternoon. Your lipstick is probably half-eaten, mascara/ eyeliner smudged and either your foundation looks like cake or it’s been absorbed by your skin. However, as your trusty beauty advisers we’ve taken it upon ourselves to help you not sweat the small stuff. Here’s an easy guide to ensuring that your makeup stays in place all day and night.

Start with a clean canvas

We all know that oil and water don’t mix. The oils on your face aren’t an exception to that rule! An oily face will make makeup melt off quicker than you can imagine. If you really want your makeup to last, start with a clean face. Remove any excess dirt and oil by washing it off or going over it with a makeup remover like the Bioderma Micellar Solution and following up with a gentle cleanser. After patting your skin dry, apply a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with SPF. Let it sink in for about three minutes before applying any additional products.

We recommend the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturiser Gel as our go-to product and layer a lightweight Neutrogena sunscreen on top. You can also look at oil free moisturisers with SPF at Dermalogica or Kiehl’s.

Prime and perfect

You know how a manicure always looks best when you use a great base coat? The same goes for your makeup. Using a primer will help fill in your pores, blur imperfections, and help your makeup look better and last longer. Using one sounds like a no-brainer to us. To find something locally accessible check out the range at Body Shop or Luscious Cosmetics. Otherwise, Smashbox has an excellent range of face primers. There’s one for red skin, one for dry skin, one for acne prone skin, and one for basically any other face issue possible.

Lock it in

After your makeup application it is imperative to set it with a translucent powder, which will even out your makeup and remove any excess oil. To help your makeup last even longer, try a makeup setting spray. Spraying this on your face before and after your makeup is complete will lock everything in place and will also help your powder makeup look more like your natural skin.

We j’adore the Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray for its ability to keep your makeup in place during hot, humid summers like Pakistan experiences.

Be hands free!

Resist the urge to touch your face throughout the day! The oils on your hands will transfer to your skin, which will cause your makeup to budge. Not only can that ruin your makeup but the germs on your hands lead to future breakouts.