Ready, Set, Stay! How to Make Your Makeup Last for Prom
The nightmare: You spend hours and hours on your big prom look, trying to be perfect for picture time. Then, after you break a quick sweat during the first Miley song of the evening, it's...ruined! Smudged liner, clumping mascara, lipstick on the teeth, etc. What's a girl to do?
When it comes to long-lasting makeup, make this your mantra: the higher the shine, the shorter the wear. But that doesn't mean you need to be all matte everything—if there's one thing we know, it's that there's always a workaround to any makeup obstacle you may encounter.
With that in mind, we caught up with a few of our favorite experts to get the scoop on budge-proof beauty for your big night. From unexpected uses for setting powder to the primer we're dying to try immediately, these celebrity makeup artists delivered their secrets in spades. Click through for all of their time-tested tricks!
Photo: Laura Mercier1/71. Use Setting Powder. Everywhere.
Yes, you can stretch something as simple as setting powder to the multitasking max. "Powders today are no longer what they used to be; they have a much more transparent, translucent finish to them," says beauty guru Sonia Kashuk. And they’re not just great for canceling out shine or sealing in your foundation—when doing a smoky eye, Sonia covers each layer of color with a light dusting of powder for longer wear and smoother blending.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, $35, available at sephora.com.
Photo: Jason Lloyd-Evans2/7Blood, sweat, and tears are no match for this bag of beauty tricks.
Photo: Avene3/72. Make Your Eyeshadow Budge-Proof
Celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff tells us MAC Paint Pots are the ideal base for eyes, whether you’re working with pale pastels or contour colors. Use a flat, synthetic brush to pat them on for a finished look that has more depth and richness.
Another clever way to get the most from your shadow requires nothing more than a spritz. "Mist a medium brush lightly with water, then glide it gently over your finished eyeshadow," instructs Landy Dean, a makeup artist at New York’s Marie Robinson Salon. A regular spray bottle and some tap water work perfectly well here, but if you’re feeling fancy, try this French pharmacy favorite.
Avène Thermal Spring Water, $14, available at drugstore.com.
Photo: Sephora4/75. It's Not About the Mascara
Even the most dramatic mascara is nothing without the help of a trusty curler. Shiseido’s version lifts lashes perfectly (pump it from the roots to the ends for the prettiest curl possible). To lock in the look, Dean offers up this quick tip: "Warm it with a low dryer for a few seconds and the curl will form faster and last all day."
Shiseido Eyelash Curler, $19, available at sephora.com.
Photo: Nordstrom5/74. Get Glowy (Not Oily) Skin
There’s nothing quite like a cream blush to bring that elusive dewiness to skin. On the flipside, extra-glowy formulas also tend to be flighty, so don’t forget to top them off with a matching powder blush. To keep cheeks looking fresh, follow this piece of advice from celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff: "Always apply sheer and even layers—your makeup should still look fresh and alive." For a flattering flush, use her pro-approved recommendation: Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow.
Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow in Pravella, $26, available at nordstrom.com.
Photo: Sonia Kashuk6/73. Primers Can Do Double-Duty
Primers are a must when it comes to long-wearing makeup, but who knew they could also perk up tired eyes? "Just a very thin veil has a brightening effect," notes Kashuk, who subs in her highlighter-plus-primer formula for the usual concealer. The long-wear aspect is already built in, so dab it on solo or apply to the inner corner.
Sonia Kashuk Perfecting Brightening Primer, $15, available at target.com.
Photo: Sephora7/76. Lip Liner Is Like Lip Insurance
The latest lipsticks often tout claims of 24-hour wear, but here’s the real secret: It’s not the product, but the prep work that makes your pout stay put all day. Kashuk walked us through her tried-and-tested method: Apply foundation to canvas out the lipline, fill in the lips with your liner, then use your lipstick (or gloss) of choice. As the top layer gradually wears off, it leaves behind a chic stain that requires no touch-ups.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencils, $20, and NARS Semi-Matte Lipstick in Jungle Red, $26, available at sephora.com.
The most important thing is to do what makes you happy. Keep that in mind, and your life will improve immeasurably. What beauty product are you loving right now?
By Terry Baume de Rose is easily the best lip balm I've ever used, ... Read More
