Keeping my make up on my face

[OneFlewOverTheDodosNest]

I'm hoping someone can help me - I've managed to reach my late twenties and still can't get to midday without wiping all my make up off my face. I'm talking uncovered red shiny nose, sweaty forehead and panda eyes - it's not a good look.

I've tried different types of make up, primer, desperately trying to somehow not touch my face every 5 minutes and even not wearing eye make up to prevent the dreaded black smear but nothing seems to work.

Please tell me there's some secret I've yet to discover that will keep me looking half decent until 5pm - I'm far too blotchy to go make-upless for 70% of the working day!

[ImLizawithaZ]

I love benefit porefessional primer, urban decay eyelid primer and urban decay setting spray

[OneFlewOverTheDodosNest]

Thank you - I try and get some sampler sizes to test those out. I'm half convinced that I'm just one of those people who are never going to look together, but I'm determined to try!

[dontthinktwiceitsalright]

Do you touch your face a lot ? My friend whose make up is always flawless says she makes an effort to try to not touch her touch her face much.

I managed for one day and it really did make a difference

[Tanaqui]

Good housekeeping recommended a clarins setting spray, but I haven't tried it!

[OneFlewOverTheDodosNest]

I do touch my face a lot - I've tried not to but I find myself doing it anyway. What did you do that helped you?

[AddToBasket]

I have this problem - I have hot oily skin and make up melts off.

I have given up using mascara as it just slid off, and now just have false lases or dye them. At the moment I have individually applied falsies and it makes a big difference. Same with eyebrows, I get them tinted and am looking into semi-permanent tattooing because they just eat any brow makeup.

I use urban decay eye primer (brilliant, recommend) but although I have the UD pore primer I find it doesn't work - it is just more gunk.

My make up break though is the new NARS foundation which really does last all day, as does the NARS concealer - although I have to top up the concealer.

[dontthinktwiceitsalright]

I think I ended up playing with my hair instead .

[ShipShapeAhoy]

After putting on foundation, use a translucent powder to set it.

My eye make up never stays on and I've worked out that this is because my eye lids are oddly sweaty. The best thing I've learnt for this is to apply the loose translucent powder (the answer to all life's woes) to my lids before eye-shadow. I tried eye-shadow primers and they didn't work for me at all.

I don't bother with eye liner apart from nights out as that tends to always run.

I only wear waterproof mascara.

There's a fix spray you can buy from Mac, I can't remember what it's called but you spray it on after doing your makeup and it helps it stay on. It did seem to work but was quite expensive for what it is.

One thing I've noticed from most people who always look put together, is that they actually touch up their make up throughout the day. I think reapplying a little foundation/powder and maybe blusher and lipstick/gloss on your lunch break would do the trick.

Sorry this is a really long post, especially considering I rarely wear make up now! I went through this in my early 20s now I'm 27 and I've actively made an effort to cut down. I still wear translucent loose powder though!

[CloserToFiftyThanTwenty]

Yes, powder works really well to set foundation etc

[OneFlewOverTheDodosNest]

One thing I've noticed from most people who always look put together, is that they actually touch up their make up throughout the day. I think reapplying a little foundation/powder and maybe blusher and lipstick/gloss on your lunch break would do the trick.

I wish I was dedicated enough to do this, but I would do it for a few days and then get resentful that I was spending time trying to look better when I don't have time for lunch as it is!

I will definitely try out the primers and setting sprays to see if they work for me, and I'm need to try to stop touching my face! What sort of powders do you use to set foundation? And is it worth investing in more expensive foundation for staying power?

[OneFlewOverTheDodosNest]

*I need not I'm need...

[MooMinCow]

Are you using the right type of foundation for your skin type? Oil based foundation is better for drier skins but will slide right off oilier skin.

Are you also allowing your Moisturiser to sink in for a few minutes before applying makeup? (You can try blotting excess oil with tissue before applying base)Also avoid using rich creams round your eye area as it will migrate to your lids and lashes causing makeup to run.

Failing that there's always the Estée Lauder Doublewear range!

[MooMinCow]

And yes to loose powder to set foundation then spritz of setting spray to lock it in. MUA and Body Shop do good ones.

I have to wear a full face of makeup for work and only ever top up my lipstick. Sandwiching/layering products or setting cream based items with corresponding powder products really help too (for example using cream eyeshadow or chunky pencil all over lid and then applying similar powder eyeshadow)really make it last all day!

[burnishedsilver]

A touch of fake tan instead of foundation might work better.

[Kennington]

La Roche posay sprayed on before primer
It is just a saltwater mix with some zinc sulphate
Anyway it mattifies enough, then a little primer on nose and forehead

[ShipShapeAhoy]

I totally agree about not wanting to waste lunch break doing your make up!

I have found this clinique anti-blemish foundation stays on me well, but so does maybelline dream matt mousse which is a lot cheaper.

I think it really depends on your skin type so maybe if you want to go for a more expensive one it'd be worth asking for samples or instore makeovers so you can try before you buy.

For loose powder I tend to get this one. It's good if you've got a bit hot and sweaty and your face has gone a bit shiny too.

Primer wise I have the smash box photo finish one which I tend to wear under foundation. I had no7 beautifully matte, but found that it goes really cloggy when I put it on. I had another good primer I used to use that was cheaper than that smash box but I can't remember what make.

[Featherbluedot]

The following have been working for me.

Neutrogena oil free moisturiser

Boujois CC cream.

Clarins everlasting is also great but more expensive but stays on all day. I tend to use this in the winter when my skin looks more blotchy etc.

[Featherbluedot]

And to hold it all in place I've been using boots no 7 translucent powder for years but recently splashed out £1 for a mua powder from superdrug, which I like.

[Featherbluedot]

I really want to try the corn silk powder so I will try that when I run out.

[chocolateyy]

I had exactly the same problem. My makeup now doesn't even come off with wipes (having to use cleanser & toner now!)

I use Smashbox primer,
Then Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation, with a brush
Then Mac setting spray.

[Featherbluedot]

The only mascara that does not cause me panda eyes is max factor 2000 calorie.

Apologies for all the posts but MN keeps crashing on me.

[chipsandpeas]

letting moisturiser sink in helps my foundation stay on

i only use a setting spray when going out, MUA do a good one...a lot cheaper than the urban decay one i used to swear by and its just as good

[nottheOP]

Lasagna face! Powder, foundation (lancome teint idole ultra or Estee Lauder double wear or revlon colorstay) powder. I do very fine layers and add a couple of layers for a heavier nighttime look.

I just use a cheap powder, rimmel or similar.

Face wash rather than a cream cleanser too.

[sksk]

I read somewhere ( possibly on MN- think it is a Wayne Goss tip) that if you put a tissue over a beauty blender and blot your foundation, it gets rid of any excess oil or whatever's without messing with the pigment too much. I've yet to try his but this might be a quick and inexpensive way to start?

[FuckingLiability]

Leave your moisturiser to soak in for 15 mins or so, apply a primer (Smashbox is really good), apply foundation, then powder and don't spend all day touching your face. Also, for moisturiser, check you're not using something too heavy for what you need. I bought the wrong moisturiser for a few years because in my head I had decided my skin was greasy when actually it was combination/dry.

I use either Chanel or Laura Mercier foundation, Benefit primer around the eyes to stop eyeshadow/liner creeping and Chanel loose powder. I've tried the Face Atelier foundation which is superb but I am determined to finish the left over bottles of LM before I buy more.