My Makeup Used to Slide off by 2PM — This Is the Routine That Fixed It
Erin Cook is a beauty and lifestyle journalist who has been slinging words for magazines, such as marie claire, ELLE, Harper’s BAZAAR, Cosmopolitan and Body+Soul, for the better part of a decade. As part of this role, she's had the pleasure of interviewing countless experts, such as dermatologists, trichologists, makeup artists and brand founders, to get their two cents on the latest beauty trends or to answer consumer questions. She loves a good hyaluronic serum, tinted moisturiser or glossy lipstick almost as much as she loves her cats. Almost.
I’ve worked in the beauty industry for over a decade, interviewed countless makeup artists and even worked in product development.
So when my makeup started disappearing halfway through the day, I knew it was time to rethink my routine.
We’ve all been there: feeling polished at 8am and bare-faced by 2pm.
Rather than accepting this mysterious case of disappearing makeup, I treated it like a challenge and went back through years of beauty advice, backstage tricks and hard-earned lessons to figure out what actually makes makeup last.
My problem was that while I was using great products, they weren’t long-wearing ones. I prefer my makeup to be dewy and natural-looking. While that’s nice and all, if you’re only using lightweight creamy products, they’re going to slide off before you’ve even had a chance to down your morning coffee.
But after plenty of trial and error, I think I’ve finally cracked the code.
Want glowy makeup that actually lasts past 2pm? Or even into the night? Here’s what you need to know.
1. Don’t skip skin prep
Dry skin eats makeup. Sounds weird, but it’s true.
What happens is this: if your skin is thirsty, it will absorb the product that’s sitting on top of it. You’d much rather your skin drink up a hydrating serum than your foundation.
Prep your skin with the right lightweight skincare that your complexion needs.
My skin is on the dry side, so I’m a big fan of hyaluronic acid, like Beauté Pacifique Serum Symphonique Hyaluronic Serum. I love this serum because it’s bursting with hyaluronic acid (to plump and hydrate) and also contains niacinamide (for brightening and anti-ageing benefits).
2. Pick the right primer
If you want your makeup to stay put all day, you need a gripping one.
Gripping primers, like e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer, have a gel-like texture and feel tacky on the skin once applied. Don’t let the consistency put you off. This creates a strong base to stick to the makeup and hold it in place.
Once you apply your foundation over the top the tackiness completely disappears (but your base doesn’t).
e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer has a cult-following because it really does work. Plus, it’s only $24, so what do you have to lose?
3. You need a long-wearing foundation, not a dewy one
I learned from a professional makeup artist many moons ago that lightweight, dewy foundations simply do not last. It’s a bummer, but it’s true.
What can you do instead?
Use a long-wearing foundation – even a matte one is fine – and add a few drops of highlighter to create a glowy effect that lasts.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation is the OG of full coverage foundation and one that I always go back to. With 67 shades to choose from, including ones with cool, neutral and warm undertones, this inclusive range provides shades for most complexions.
Recently, Double Wear was reformulated (read our breakdown of the differences between the old and new formula here) to provide a more your-skin-but-better finish, compared to the original, which was heavier. I like the new formula; however, I need to use a bit more product to get the same longevity.
To make the finish more radiant, I add a few drops of Basics by B Liquid Glow Drops (Tulum suits my skin, but there are three shades to choose from). A little bit goes a long way to help create a subtle glow.
4. Set it with a powder
Repeat after me: powder locks everything in.
That said, you only need a lightweight one. e.l.f. Cosmetics Perfect Finish HD Powder is super fine and works for me, but any finishing powder will do.
If you have mature skin, too much powder can dry out your skin and settle into your fine lines and wrinkles, making them look more pronounced. Just a light dusting is perfect, okay?
5. Lock it in with a setting spray
Setting spray is perfect for three reasons: it hydrates the skin, counteracts the ‘powdery’ look and reinstates a skin-like finish.
Because I prefer a long-wearing yet dewy finish, e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray is perfect for me (I think I’m in love?) but if you want something with ultimate staying power, try L'Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray Mist.
The Final Word
I don’t wear a full face of makeup every day. Most mornings, SPF and a tinted moisturiser are more than enough.
But on the days (or nights) when I want my makeup to actually last? These are the five steps I keep coming back to. It’s the method I’ve landed on to help my makeup stay exactly where I want it: on my face.
The beauty of this routine is that you don’t need to buy a whole new kit. Swap in whatever you already own. Got a powder sitting in your bathroom drawer? Perfect. Start there. The products can change, but the layers stay the same.
And yes, some might say this routine works so well you could wake up with your makeup still intact the next morning. Not that I’d know, of course. I would never test that theory after one too many late-night margaritas…
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