Wash your face in the morning, before putting on makeup. Don’t use harsh soap on your face. It can cause irritation and dryness, which will make your makeup come off sooner.

You can use a facial brush to lightly brush the dead skin from your face. Rub it in circles, never pressing too hard. A homemade sugar scrub also works well as a gentle exfoliant. Don’t forget your lips! They need to be exfoliated, too, in order for lipstick to stay in place.

Don’t use a rich, creamy moisturizer during the day. It could make your face too slick for your makeup. [1] X Research source Instead, apply creams before bed and wear them overnight to get the moisturizing benefits without messing up your makeup.

If you don’t use a lot of eye makeup, an eye primer may not be necessary. However, it can really help if your eye makeup tends to smudge and end up below your eyes. You can also use an eye primer to keep your eyeshadow in place, or a lip primer to keep your lipstick from feathering. [3] X Research source Christin Birckhead. Makeup artist. Personal interview. 8 May 2020.

Alternatively, try a cream foundation, powder foundation, cream-to-powder foundation, or tinted moisturizer. Mineral makeup may be good for some, but others may find it too drying or quick to wear off. Getting the color right can be difficult if you have yellow undertones.

There are a variety of long-wear lip products on the market, depending on the type of look you’re going for. Lip stains and long-wear lipsticks will last a long time, as will any type of lipstick with a matte finish. For even longer-lasting color, use a lipliner around your color. This helps the shape stay firm all day long.

Do not waste money on mascara primer. Mascara primer weighs down your eyelashes, making them look shorter. Unless it’s really urgent that you keep your mascara in place all day—such as for a special occasion like a wedding or a poolside photo shoot—opt for “water-resistant” mascaras over “waterproof” formulations. Waterproof mascaras can be damaging, and are not good for everyday use. [6] X Research source