5 Ways to Make Your Makeup Last All Day, According to an Esthetician
It’s the most wonderful time of the year with Holiday parties and New Year’s Eve on the horizon! To keep your makeup looking wonderful all day and all night- I’m excited to share a few tips and tricks to make sure your makeup won’t melt like a snowman in the Spring. Fa-la-la-la flawless!
Meet the Expert
- Lindsay Holdorf - Licensed Esthetician
How to Make Your Makeup Last All Day
1. Merry and Moisturized
The first step to long-lasting makeup is starting with a fresh canvas, which means moisturizing the skin thoroughly. Resident Dermstore esthetician, Lindsay Holdorf, recommends, “The importance of proper skincare prep before applying makeup. When the skin is properly hydrated, makeup adheres better, preventing it from settling into fine lines or dry patches, which can cause it to break down throughout the day.” Keep your skin hydrated and moisturized with a formula that works best with your skin type- a few of my fave picks below:
Jenny Patinkin Mister Assister Facial Hydration Tool
$65.00
Meet Mister Assister, a compact ultrasonic hydration tool that infuses distilled water into nano particles to deeply hydrate skin and to enhance skincare absorption for a radiant, plump complexion anytime, anywhere. For those of you flying to visit family and friends over the Holidays- this tool is ideal for maintaining skin hydration during travel, combating the effects of dry air.
Dr Dennis Gross- DermInfusions Blur and Repair Cream
This cream is an ultra-hydrating, lightweight cream that is clinically proven to enhance elasticity, plump skin, and reduce redness. This formula is the perfect base for flawless makeup application as the texture gives you a satin-matte finish while blurring pores and fine lines- no filters needed.
$68.00
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Cream
13 reviews
$65.00
MZ Skin Rich Moisturizer
Baby, it’s cold outside! For dryer or mature skin types, especially as the temperatures drop, I recommend using a richer formula such as the MZ Skin Rich Moisturizer. This high-performance daily cream can be used for hydrating, brightening and skin-firming to reveal a beautiful, youthful-looking complexion.
$205.00
2. Prime Time for Holiday Glam
Once your skin is marvelously moisturized, ~it’s time~ (cue: Mariah Carey) to use a primer to double as both the last step of your skincare routine and the first step of your makeup routine. Lindsay Holdorf teaches us, “Primers create a smooth, canvas-like layer that helps makeup adhere better to the skin. It fills in imperfections, blurs pores, and ensures your makeup applies evenly, resulting in a longer-lasting, flawless finish.” For extra credit- if you are creating a bold eye look- you can incorporate an eye primer into your routine to prevent your eye shadow from creasing over the course of your evening. Sharing a few popular primers to test out for yourself:
Glo Skin Beauty HydratingPrimer
$42.00
For skin that is dry, dull, or dehydrated from the Winter Wonderland outside, this Hydrating Primer is the perfect pick-me-up for skin in need. This makeup primer is powered by hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to boost skin's moisture, helping makeup apply more evenly, for a dewy finish and cushioned skin.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Mango and Pomegranate extracts, Gardenia
Dermablend Brilliant Base Illuminating Primer
$35.00
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Niacinamide
Glo Skin Beauty Oil-Free Tinted Primer SPF 30
Glo Skin Beauty’s 3-in-1 formula offers you a primer, buildable coverage, and broad-spectrum sunscreen all in one. Even in winter, the sun's rays can reflect off the snow with surprising intensity and increase your risk of sunburn- so wearing SPF is just as important on snowy days as it is on sunny ones! The formula has a shine-free, semi-matte finish to color correct and smooths skin texture.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Salicylic Acid, Mineral Broad-Spectrum SPF 30
RMS Beauty ReEvolve Radiance Locking Primer
Jane Iredale Smooth Affair Brightening Face Primer
This Brightening Face Primer is the perfect base to those looking to blur pores, firm skin, and brighten complexion! The primer prepares skin for long lasting foundation application and is ideal to bring out your natural, youthful radiance with a dewy complexion.
123 reviews
$55.00
Key Ingredients: Algae Extract, Aloe Vera, Antioxidants, Green Tea, Peptides
Glo Skin Beauty Essential Eye Base
I’ve got my eye on this Essential Eye Base as the perfect canvas for any festive eye makeup look. Offered in a multi-shades to match skin tones, this product primes, preps, and color-corrects eyelids for a crease-free, longwearing effect.
Key Ingredients: Caffeine, Cucumber Extract, Aloe Vera
3. Powder Before Presents
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow: with setting powder that is! Lindsay Holdorf shared, “Finishing powder is a game-changer for setting makeup and achieving a flawless, matte finish. I always recommend using it to lock in your foundation, absorb excess oil, and smooth out the complexion. It keeps makeup in place without feeling heavy or cakey.” My response? Pass the pie around the dinner table- not your cakey makeup. My powder picks below:
Glo Skin Beauty Perfecting Powder
Lindsay recommends this Glo Skin Beauty’s powder to smooth the skin, blur imperfections, and set makeup without feeling heavy. Its lightweight formula helps control shine while providing a natural, flawless finish.
26 reviews
$46.00
Key Ingredients: Kaolin Clay, Antioxidant Complex, Ethically-Sourced Mica
Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder
2 reviews
$36.00
Key Ingredients: Amazonian clay
Kevyn Aucoin Smooth & Set Loose Powder
Kevyn Aucoin’s makeup artistry technique of “set to forget and refinish to diminish" can be applied masterfully with this product. This talc-free and ultra-fine powder delivers a sheer, soft-focus veil on the skin for the look of a smooth, natural appearance. A little goes a long way to keep my oily skin shine-free all day, no touch-ups required! For a loose powder like this one, use a fluffy powder brush to gently dust along your T-zone area.
$49.00
Key Ingredients: Silica, Mica
RMS Beauty Hydra Setting Powder
RMS never disappoints with a skincare infused loose powder, available in 3 sheer shades that look like second skin. The brand uses a unique Gel2Powder technology to create a lightweight, bouncy texture that glides on smooth and provides long-lasting, multi-dimensional wear.
$42.00
Key Ingredients: HerbalHydrate, Wildcrafted Buriti Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Vegetable Squalane
By Terry- Hyaluronic Pressed Hydra-Powder
ByTerry’s pressed Hydra-Powder is a cult classic for good reason! The translucent formula features eight types of hyaluronic acid to visibly fill fine lines and mattify the skin with an invisible, hydrated finish. Plus, the mirrored compact comes with a handy puff for on-the-go touch ups, making this multi-tasking pressed powder a handbag must-have.
$54.00
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Mica Pearls
By Terry Hyaluronic Tinted Hydra-Powder
If you prefer to have a shade matched powder versus the translucent type- now you can still use ByTerry’s best-selling hydra-powder formula in tinted form! The product is designed to be buildable so you can achieve desired coverage from this multi-purpose makeup.
9 reviews
RRP: $54.00Current price: $40.50
Chantecaille- Hi Definition Perfecting Powder
Chantecaille’s pressed powder provides a universal translucent finish that has been specially formulated for use with High-Definition cameras. For your Holiday family photoshoot- this is an amazing product to ensure your skin has a flawless matte yet radiant finish from any angle.
1 reviews
$82.00
Key Ingredients: Talc, Dimethicone, Silica
Dermablend- Loose Setting Powder – Original
Dermablend’s loose setting powder is best for baking in foundation and concealer with a waterproof transfer resistant finish. From the slopes to the ice rink- this matte powder will stay in place during all of your wintry outdoor activities for up to 16 hours without fading. This is also a great option for sensitive skin types as the formula has been allergy-tested and non-comedogenic for acne-prone skin.
166 reviews
$32.00
Key Ingredients: Talc
4. Setting Spray & Slay
Tis the season to spritz- whether it’s the Aperol or Setting Spray type. As per Lindsay Holdorf’s fourth tip, “I recommend using setting spray to lock in your makeup, hydrate your skin, and create a natural, dewy finish. It helps to set everything in place, even in challenging conditions like hot or humid weather, ensuring your makeup stays intact throughout the day.” Pro tip: spritzing setting spray over your powder helps it seamlessly melt into your skin, leaving behind an undetectable finish and enhancing a mattifying effect to your makeup. Setting Spray standouts below:
By Terry- Hyaluronic Glow Setting Mist
By Terry’s Setting Mist is a lightweight liquid spray to lock in makeup with a natural-looking luminosity. The formula’s proprietary hyaluronic acid technology provides the skin with long-lasting hydration that doubles as a protective barrier against pollution for healthy, glowing skin.
$46.00
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
Dermablend Lock and Last Water-Resistant Setting Spray
Dermablend’s high performance settling spray grips makeup to lock in place for up to 24-hours upon application. As this spray is water, smudge, and transfer resistant, the formula helps makeup resist fading, caking, or creasing to ensure your look stays fresh all night. I recommend holding the nozzle about 6-inches away from skin and spraying lightly 4-6 times across your T-zone.
1 reviews
$26.00
Key Ingredients: Witch Hazel, Allantoin, Willow Leaf
Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30
I always gravitate towards a multi-benefit product that features SPF protection, and Coola’s makeup setting spray is no exception. This lightweight spray is a fab product to be able to re-apply SPF on-the-go to keep skin protected while keeping your makeup in place. Add to your carry-on for all your upcoming Holiday travels!
40 reviews
$36.00
Key Ingredients: Aloe Vera extract, Cucumber extracts, Sunscreen actives
Jane Iredale Balance Antioxdant Hydration Spray
3 reviews
$75.00
Key Ingredients: Ylang Ylang, Chamomile Extract, Algae Extract
Colorscience Hydrating Setting Mist
Colorscience’s setting mist can be spritzed to sooth dehydrated skin, calm irritation, and replenish moisture. The formula can be used before or after makeup application for a luminous finish. Plus, I love that this product is beautifully scented with botanical fragrance from the Ylang-Ylang and Chamomile ingredients so your face smells fresh as a daisy.
13 reviews
$40.00
Key Ingredients: Ylang-Ylang, Chamomile, Heavy D20 Water Molecule
5. Believe in the Magic of Blotting
Shimmer where you want shine, blot where you don’t. When you are already out the door and need a quick touch up on-the-go, blotting papers are an essential for a discreet yet effective freshen up! Especially with my oily skin type, these are perfect products to use in a pinch to absorb those excess oils. Bonus points- these are great stocking stuffers (for yourself) or any other makeup lover on your list!
DHC Blotting Paper
DHC oil blotting papers are the perfect product to discreetly pat on your face to absorb oils and eliminate shine on-the-go. The chic packaging reminds me of a Marie Antoinette aesthetic with the pink florals and gold crown- reminding me that royalty can shine everywhere except their T-zone! Plus, at the $7 price point for 100 papers in the pack, girl math says that these practically pay for themselves at 7 cents per sheet.
20 reviews
$7.00
Key Ingredients: All-Natural Hemp Fibres
Jenny Patinkin Blotter Baby Mattifying Roller
This tiny roller is small but mighty to mattify skin and absorb excess oil without leaving a chalky finish or lifting away makeup. As a sustainable and eco-friendly tool, the ball can be easily cleaned with warm water and soap to be ready for the next roll over your T-zone.
$22.00
Key Ingredients: Limestone Clay
NUDESTIX Blot and Blur Matte Stick
With an innovative clear balm-to-powder formula, NUDESTIX can absorb unwanted excess oils from the face while blurring the look of imperfections. While I like to categorize this stick as a blotting product, it truly is a multi-tasking formula that can also be used as a primer under makeup to create the illusion of an airbrushed complexion too.
$34.00
Key Ingredients: Mugwort Extract, Volcanic Ash
The Bottom Line
May all your makeup looks be merry, bright, and long-lasting this Holiday season! Discover all of Dermstore’s makeup product essentials here.
Taylor Gross is a NYC based “buy-ologist” and founder of ReTaylor Therapy, a leading retail consultancy for beauty and wellness. She has held the position of Head Beauty Buyer and led brand curation at iconic retailers from Space NK to Barneys New York. She has also optimized sales strategies and led partnerships for international beauty brands tailored to the US market. As she is a buying and merchandising product expert, Taylor is known for her extensive knowledge of the beauty industry and the best-in-class product essentials. She is excited to share beauty’s best kept secrets with fellow beauty lovers here at Dermstore.
