It’s the age old beauty question: how to make your foundation last all day and into the evening? We asked professional make-up artist Ranti Adeyemi to share her expert tips on achieving a flawless base that lasts and lasts.
“My most asked question [from clients] is: what foundation did you use?” Adeyemi says. “Especially if it has lasted all day without oxidising, grabbing or magnifying areas the wearer is concerned about.” According to Adeyemi, the most common mistake people make when it comes to staying power is “believing your foundation is the only element for your base”. Foundation is just the start of what she calls your “beautiful base journey”. “A combination of application techniques, primers and powders is what will create the long-lasting base you’re looking for.”
Give yourself more time
“My ultimate tip is to work in sections, and allow an extra 15 minutes to [perfect] your base routine,” says Adeyemi. Foundation that wears off is rarely a product issue, she says, rather a result of failing to create sufficient time and space to get it right.
Study your skin
Not buying into the hype around certain products is another important part of perfecting your foundation game. Individual skin type is far more relevant than the promises on the packaging. “Studying your skin tone and how your skin performs through the day without make-up is important,” Adeyemi says. “For example, if with just moisturiser and SPF, your skin appears to feel dry after two hours, it is essential to avoid foundations that promise all-day matte wear.”
Long-lasting foundations to try
“For long-lasting wear that also looks like skin, I recommend Estée Lauder Double Wear, MAC Pro Longwear, MAC Studio Fix, Haus of Labs, Givenchy Prisme Libre and NARS Soft Matte,” says Adeyemi. “With the right hydrating skincare [underneath], the foundations will perform and look like skin without any unnecessary sheen or discomfort.”
MAC Pro Longwear Foundation
£34
John Lewis
NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation
£28
Look Fantastic
Givenchy Prisme Libre Foundation
£45
Look Fantastic
MAC Studio Fix Foundation
£32
MAC Cosmetics
Haus Labs Triclone Foundation
£42
Sephora
Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation
£31
Look Fantastic
The best primers to keep your base in place
“My go-to primers are Danessa Myricks’s Yummy Skin Balm, Elf Power Grip, Make Up Forever Shine Control and the Fenty Pro Filter Instant Retouch Primer.”
E.L.F Power Grip Primer
£10
E.l.f Power Grip
Danessa Myrick Yummy Skin Balm
£40
Sephora
Make Up Forever Shine Control Primer
£19
Klip Shop
Fenty Pro Filter Instant Retouch Primer
£28
Boots
The best setting sprays
“I recommend MAC Fix+, Milk Hydrogrip Spray, and One Size Beauty On till Dawn.”
Read more: The Best Setting Sprays
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Setting Spray
Shop at
Cult Beauty
MAC Fix+ Primer
£36
Look Fantastic
Powders to perfect
Her number one powder? The Fenty Invisimatte Blotting Powder. “It is the single greatest item for a night out,” Adeyemi declares. “Your foundation will keep its colour, refuse to oxidise, and reflect a fresh beat. I have noticed that a few of my clients like to use skin tone powders throughout the day, but foundation powders will change your complexion. They are good for maintaining a matte look, but you are adding an extra layer of powder each time which will feel heavier and quickly oxidise. Truly, translucent powders are the best.
“My favourite powders are Laura Mercier Translucent, RCMA No Colour Powder and One Size Ultimate Blurring Powder. Using a powder puff, gently push these powders into your concealer, highlighter and T zone – you will have nothing to worry about.”
Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Powder
£24
Sephora
One Size Ultimate Blurring Powder
£34
Sephora
Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
£33
Look Fantastic
RCMA No-Colour Powder
£14
Beauty Bay
