Long-wear makeup for masks.

Now that it will be mandatory to wear a face mask in all shops and public transport in the UK it’s a good idea to update your makeup routine to accommodate this new normality. We will need to adapt our daily routine to make sure we have our keys wallet phone and mask from now on. They are not the most comfortable items to wear but it is essential. Masks cover the whole bottom half of our face and so our makeup will need to last. If you have already been wearing one you will know how easily foundation and lipstick transfer onto the mask. I’ve put together some tips on how to stop your makeup transferring and to look perfect when you remove your mask.

Techniques to increase the longevity of makeup under masks:

Top tip, always prep your skin first this also helps your makeup to look flawless but helps it to stay on longer. When making up clients I always prep their skin first in line with their skin type and what looks they want to achieve, think of it as underwear for your skin.  Always moisturise your skin first day and night this also helps your makeup to look flawless and stops it sinking into your skin. Not all primers are the same as all moisturisers are not the same and are geared towards your skin concern. Some of my favourite primers right now.

Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Hydrating Primer £32.00

This infuses moisture into the skin and keeps your makeup feeling fresh all day. It smooths out your skin and makes it look flawless before even applying your makeup, so sometimes I just apply this if I am just at home.

MAC Oil Control Primer SPF 50 £26.00

This primer is perfect to stop any shine coming through and to keep your makeup in place. When I worked at MAC is was their bestselling primer and we all used to use it instead of sun lotion for holidays as it didn’t move. It keeps your skin matte all day with an SPF 50 which was unique then, I still think it works really well and you only need a small 5p amount don’t apply too much otherwise you might look a bit white from the SPF.

Long-Lasting Complexion Products:

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Foundation £29.00

This does what it says on the bottle and does not move. It is full coverage so maybe not the best one to go for if you don’t want a full coverage foundation however if you want a flawless finish this is perfect for wearing under your mask. It blends easily and I apply with a beauty blender normally powder as well and this will not budge for at least 8 hours!

MAC Studiofix Fluid Foundation £27.00

I always have this foundation in my kit I find it stays well and I use it for my TV work all the time. You can wear it full coverage or blend it to medium coverage. Because it’s so matte it again lasts all day and has a better colour range than the Estee Lauder Double wear. Set with powder and it’s the perfect base for mask-wearing.

Powder is Your Best Friend!

I always suggest setting your makeup with powder even if you are more mature powder is so fine now and if you have prepped the skin well it will not sink into any fine lines. Powder is essential right now particularly around the nose and mouth area where the mask will sit.

First to prevent your foundation from transferring onto the string attachment of your mask, apply a light dusting of translucent powder using a large fluffy brush all over your face. My favourite is the Laura Mercier translucent powder. And also the By Terry Hyaluronic Hydro Powder £42 which now comes in pressed although I still prefer the loose in both the Laura Mercier Powder and the By Terry powders.

Now for the Baking! Baking is a makeup technique that uses a heavy layer of loose powder to set your makeup, which is dusted away after a few minutes after the powder has set your cream makeup products. You may have seen the likes of Kim Kardashian and many Instagram bloggers use this makeup technique. Baking gives your makeup a long-lasting creaseless, poreless and flawless finish. The most common area to bake is under the eye however this will perfectly set your makeup ready for mask-wearing.

Firstly bake under the eye and then bring the powder further down to the mid-cheek. You should bake around your frown lines. Bake the area where you know your mask will come into contact with your skin. Using a damp makeup sponge pick up powder and lightly dab the sponge onto those areas. Let the Powder set for 5 mins and then dust off with the excess with a soft brush. There you have it it’s baked and set!

Try this new trick to keep foundation in place.

This has been around for a while and I do use it on myself when I am in a hot country or a night out remember those! This technique is easy, you simply apply your base products in a different order which really works! And increases the longevity of your makeup. Many people have been showcasing it on Tik – Tok and Instagram so you know it’s going to go mainstream soon.

First, moisturise as normal then set your moisturiser with a dusting of translucent powder.  Follow with a spritz of setting spray, and then apply your primer. Next, apply your foundation as usual. You will notice a massive improvement in the staying power of your makeup!

The perfect Lipstick Choice:

We all love to apply lipstick and many people believe their look isn’t finished until their lipstick is applied. So this is a key consideration whilst wearing a mask. I love a lip gloss and they are really on-trend right now for summer, they will transfer to your mask in seconds. Equally a bold lip is a no go as it will smudge straight away.  I would opt for a nude matte colour that will last and is easy to touch up also. The Nars Powermatte Lip Pigment in Get It On £23. Or MAC Kinda Sexy Lipstick £17.50 both very wearable mattes. If you prep your lips first with a lip balm whilst doing your base even if you have dryer lips this stop the lipstick sinking in and cracking.