There’s nothing worse than your foundation fading or needing to be touched up all the time after you’ve spent too much time putting on makeup. Long-lasting foundations are the answer to your makeup prayers because they are made to keep your makeup from smudging and transferring all day.
Choosing the right foundation formula for your skin type is just as important as setting your foundation to make it last longer. For example, if you have oily skin, a foundation that lasts a long time and stays matte is a big win. A formula that doesn’t settle into fine lines is perfect for people with mature skin. The list goes on and on.
So, we asked makeup artists and the Shop TODAY team for their best advice on how to make your foundation last. We also found the best long-lasting foundations, from full coverage to liquid formulas, that won’t fade or dry out, even when it’s hot, sweaty, and more.
What does it mean for a foundation to last a long time?
The ingredients in a foundation that make it “long-wearing” are what make it so. These ingredients are high-performing and keep your base from fading, separating, creasing, or transferring for hours. There are many benefits to wearing a long-lasting foundation, especially when it comes to wear. Below, makeup artist Melissa Hurkman explains the exact key factors that make a foundation last a long time.
“Film-forming agents that help the foundation stick to the skin.
A lot of pigment in a thin, lightweight formula that can be built up for flexible coverage.
Ingredients that soak up oil or make things look less shiny and stop them from slipping or moving.
She said, “It has water- and transfer-resistant properties, so the makeup can stand up to humidity, sweat, and touch.”
So, when you go shopping for a foundation that really lasts, keep an eye out for these words and details. Makeup artist Caitlyn Dominic says, “For mature skin, I recommend long-wear formulas that balance staying power with hydration, since matte textures can highlight fine lines and make the skin look older.”
When to put on a foundation that lasts a long time
You can wear long-wear foundation every day, but it’s best for events like weddings, proms, and graduations when you need your makeup to last all day. Aya Tariq, a makeup artist, says it all depends on what you need and how much makeup you can handle.
Samantha Gencarelli, a makeup artist from New Jersey, also likes to use long-wear foundations when it’s very hot and humid. Christine Cormier, a makeup artist, calls long-wear foundations a “set it and forget it” product. This makes them great for long days when you’re taking a lot of photos because they don’t need to be touched up very often. She said, “It’s always good to know that you have a little bit of coverage that will last through all of these memorable photo opportunities.”
You don’t see a $10 coverage that lasts every day. Hurkman says that the Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation goes on smoothly and beautifully on all skin types, but especially on mature skin. It has a fluid, serum-like texture.
The makeup artist says, “The coverage is flexible; you can go from sheer to medium as you build. It lasts a long time, and it keeps its soft glow once it’s set.”
The Laura Geller New York Baked Balance-n-Brighten Foundation is often at the top of our readers’ shopping lists during sales events like Prime Day and holidays. Colleen Sullivan, a freelance writer, recently wrote a review of it and said that the product doesn’t dull your skin’s natural glow.
She says, “The powder blended with my skin instead of sitting on top of it or settling into fine lines. It evened out my skin tone without covering it up.” “My skin didn’t look flat or matte; it looked softly polished, like it does on a really good day.”
