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!

I'm in my 40s, I still have quite oily skin. After decades of experimentation, I've resigned myself to regular blotting with a tissue, followed by a light dusting of corn silk loose powder, and then touching up eyeliner and blusher at lunch time. It only takes a few minutes, and whilst I wish I was one of those women who looks pristine all day with no effort, sadly my skin conspires against me.

Estee Lauder Doublewear (including on eyelids if wearing eye make up). Using oil blotting sheets throughout the day. Applying eyeliner then on top eyeshadow in the same colour with an angled brush. Setting spray. I too have oily skin and all these things help!

Also I leave my moisturiser and sunscreen to sink in for a while then use an oil blotting sheet before I apply my foundation etc - that does seem to help a lot.

I have extremely oily skin so it's taken me a lot of trial and error to work out how to keep my makeup from being a hot mess by lunchtime. Here's what I do:

• Use a mattifying base. Smashbox do a great mattifying primer. If you want to go heavy duty try Urban Decay De-Slick in a tube.

• it's very important to choose a long wearing foundation. Test any foundation you buy, by applying a swatch on your hand. Leave it 10 mins then rub it. If it moves, don't buy it! Good long wear options are Armani Lasting Silk foundation and Bobbi Brown Long Wear. MAC also do a great long wear concealer.

• Press your powder into your foundation gently with a puff. It helps it last longer than applying it with a brush.

• Use a good eye primer (the original Urban Decay one is the longest wearing I've found). Bobbi brown also make fantastic long wear cream shadows and long wear eye pencils. I also apply a little Laura Mercier Secret Brightening powder under the eyes once I've done my eye makeup as it helps set under eye concealer and stop eyeliner from smudging.

• Touch up frequently with Clean & clear oil blotting papers (always a steal on EBay) and a little powder on the t zone if needed.

• for nights out I also use Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray which helps extend wear.

Hope that helps

Sheets of kitchen roll are just as effective as blotting papers!

Thank you so much for all your help - I think I need to change my foundation and invest in some primer, powder and setting spray.
I'll report back on the results

Hi all, I just wanted to report back as promised.

I got some Estee Lauder DoubleWear foundation, some samples of the Benefit Pore-fessional and Stay Don't Stray eye primer and the Urban Decay setting spray. I've also switched to a waterproof mascara.

It is nearly 5pm on a very stressful Friday and my make up is still pretty much intact - success! My eyes have not panda-d, my nose has not Rudolphed, I actually look pretty smart still which is nothing less than a miracle.

I still probably need to work on not touching my face quite so much as I'm not quite as pristine as at 8am (although definitely more aware of this now) but I'm so very happy with the results - thank you so much for your help!