As your thoughts turn to evenings out and holiday parties with co-workers, family, and friends getting your glam on and making a great impression can seem a little daunting. But it doesn’t have to be!

We’ve all had those days where you walk past a mirror in the middle of the day, and in complete horror, realize that your makeup looks nothing like it did before you left the house. 

“Have I been walking around like this all day?” It’s an awful feeling. And let’s face it. Nobody has time for makeup touch-ups on a regular workday, much less during the busy holiday season. 

But what if I told you that the secret to fade-free makeup is as simple as the strategic use of the right products? Here are my go-to tips and tricks to keep your makeup in place all day during the busy holiday season and beyond.

Tips & Tricks for Makeup That Lasts All Day During Busy Holiday Season

1) Use a setting spray.

If you haven’t yet discovered the amazing power of makeup setting spray, you’re really missing out. Setting spray is made in a variety of formulations and finishes, using ingredients that increase the lifespan of your makeup application. 

Using a setting spray should be the final step of every makeup application, just like hairspray is the final step when you style your hair. It can also be used throughout the day to freshen your makeup when it’s looking a little too lived in or to combat oil and shine, depending on which formula you choose.

If you find yourself dealing with excess oil and shine, try a light dusting of translucent powder before you apply your setting spray. It will work with the setting spray to mattify your makeup and soak up any excess oil left on the skin, so your makeup looks fresh all day.

Cruelty-Free Setting Sprays

• Milani Make it Last Charcoal Matte Setting Spray- (2.03 Fl. Oz.) Cruelty-Free Makeup Primer and Setting Spray

• Flower Beauty Seal The Deal Setting Spray: Luminizing Finish to Set Long-Lasting Face Makeup

• Valjean Labs Matte Makeup Setting Spray | Koalin + Vitamin E | Long-Lasting Wear, Matte Finish | Helps Hydrate and Control Oil | Paraben-Free, Cruelty-Free

2) Prep your skin the right way.

No matter what you do with your makeup, it won’t last all day and look smooth and flawless if your skin isn’t prepped the right way. That means prioritizing skincare first. 

Dead skin, bacteria, old makeup, dirt, and oil can build up on the skin throughout the week, even with proper cleansing. Exfoliating once or twice a week will remove that buildup and keep your skin smooth for flawless makeup application that lasts all day.

Follow your exfoliator with a hydrating sheet mask to plump up the skin and add back some much-needed moisture. Then use a toner that’s formulated for your skin type to balance the pH and brighten skin tone. These steps will help your complexion products stay in place and prevent creasing.

Moisturizer is also essential, no matter what skin type you have. Choose one that’s made for your skin type to provide the perfectly prepped canvas for foundation and concealer. If you have oily skin, an oil-free, mattifying lotion or gel moisturizer will absorb quickly and fight shine throughout the day.

3) Prime your face and eyes.

Primers are essential for makeup that lasts all day. They seal in your skincare products, smooth out your skin’s surface by filling in pores and fine lines and keep your makeup from slipping, creasing, or moving around. 

When choosing a face primer, look for one that’s formulated for your skin type. There are formulations that mattify, hydrate, brighten, and more. Do a little experimenting to find one that works for you. A good eye primer should make your eyeshadow pigments pop and make blending easier, too.

Cruelty-Free Face Primers

• MILK MAKEUP Hydro Grip Primer
• The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer
• PÜR Correcting Primer, Pore Reducer, Makeup Primer

4) Layer your creams and liquids with coordinating powders.

Creams and liquids can slide and crease throughout the day but layering them with a light application of a coordinating powder will help them stay in place and prevent creasing. Whether you’re applying foundation or cream blush, use a stippling or tapping motion (don’t buff) to lock your products in place.

Keep in mind that less is actually more when it comes to long-lasting makeup. Use a brush or sponge to apply your makeup in light layers so your face looks natural, not cakey.

5) Opt for waterproof eyeliner and mascara.

Waterproof eyeliner and mascara might be overkill for every day, but when you really need your eyes to stay smudge-free all day, it’s worth making the switch. Nobody wants raccoon eyes in their holiday photos!

6) Don’t skip the lip liner.

If you want your lips to look nice for as long as possible, take the extra time to apply lip liner. For fabulous lips that last into the evening, opt for a waterproof lip liner in a shade that coordinates with your lipstick. And don’t just line your lips, fill them in, too.

Then, go in with a thin coat of your favorite long-lasting lipstick, blot with a tissue, and dust with a light layer of translucent powder. Rinse and repeat. Whether it’s red, matte, shiny, or neutral, this technique will keep your lipstick from feathering, fading, and cracking – even through cocktail time.

Cruelty-Free Lip Liners

• The Lip Bar | Straight Line Lip Liner | Vegan & Cruelty-Free
• Milani Color Statement Lipliner – Cruelty-Free Lip Pencil to Define, Shape & Fill Lips

Wrapping Up: Maintaining your look throughout the day.

The most important thing you can do to maintain your makeup look is to avoid touching your face. Not only could you smudge your makeup, but you also risk spreading dirt and oil to your face, which could lead to makeup breakdown.

Following the above steps should keep touch-ups to a minimum, but it’s still a good idea to keep some essentials with you. Blotting papers are fantastic for soaking up excess oil and shine without disturbing your makeup. Your lipstick and a lightweight pressed powder may also come in handy, especially if you’re doing a lot of eating and drinking.