How to Create Base Makeup That Won't Melt, Won't Come Off and Won't Smudge
If there is one question I am asked more than any other, it is this: how do I make my base last all day? Between humidity, long work days and the occasional happy tear, a beautiful morning base can quietly slide away by mid-afternoon.
Here is the technique I lean on when a face absolutely has to stay put — and a little myth-busting while we are at it.
Thicker Doesn't Have to Mean Heavier
A lot of people assume that building more product onto the skin automatically turns muddy. It doesn't! The trick is pressing thin layers in with a sponge rather than swiping, so each layer grips the skin before the next one goes on.
Borrow the "Baking" Technique
After concealer, press a generous layer of loose powder over your T-zone, under the eyes and around the nose, then simply leave it there while you do your brows. The warmth of your skin melds everything together. A few minutes later, dust the excess away with a fluffy brush — what remains is a smooth, porcelain finish that locks your base in place for hours.
Practice Makes Porcelain
Baking feels strange the first time, so try it on a relaxed weekend before a big day. Once you find the right amount of powder for your skin, it becomes a thirty-second habit.
Try it once and check your reflection at 6 pm — I think you will be very pleasantly surprised.