How To Stop Your Foundation From Sliding

“Removing any dead or dry skin cells with light exfoliation not only keeps everything in place, but also prevents movement and pilling. I like to use a very gentle but effective glycolic toner: Pixi’s Glow Tonic has been a cult favourite for years, but Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is another great staple for those with oil-prone skin. You only need to exfoliate your skin a few times a week, not every single time you do your make-up, so this technique works especially well when you’re prepping for a special event rather than every day.” 

“Primers work by adhering your foundation and base products to the skin, helping you achieve a flawless finish. Formulas range from luminous to matte, and there are versions created specifically for all kinds of skin textures. If you like a luminous, glowy look, try Rare Beauty’s Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer. For a velvety feel that stays locked into place, go for Veil Mineral Primer by Hourglass. Another favourite is Laura Mercier’s Pure Canvas Perfecting Primer – you can always rely on this formula to make sure your foundation stays put.”  

“The main mistake people make is to rush the application process. Take your time and allow each layer to dry before applying the next. If you don’t have much time, take a single ply of tissue and gently blot around the nose, chin and cheeks to lift away any excess product or moisture before you begin to apply your next layer.” 

“Lighter, dewier foundations can be more likely to slide without proper application, whereas a heavier coverage foundation will tend to stay in place longer – a great option if you’re after an all-day flawless finish. But you can still get a luminous finish with a matte foundation – it’s all in the application and the products you use underneath. My go-tos are Yves Saint Laurent’s All Hours Foundation and Touche Éclat Blur Primer – these work well together and don’t budge even in the balmy summer heat. If you are using a particularly glowy foundation, pair it with a primer that focuses on hold. This way the combination will give you both luminosity and staying power.”

“It’s time consuming, but working in layers is one of the most effective ways of stopping your make-up from moving throughout the day. Use a flat foundation brush and apply a small amount around the nose, blending out onto the cheeks and up towards the forehead. Apply a second coat to the outer edges of the face, then a third light coat to blend it through the jaw and hairline, filling in any areas which need a little more coverage. Finally, take a buffing brush or a clean powder brush and gently buff over the whole face, blurring and perfecting the finish while also setting it in place.” 

“The key here is light application in certain areas, rather than haphazardly applying it everywhere. Using a small powder brush or even a large eyeshadow brush, lightly dust the powder around the nose and under the eyes to set concealer in place. Once you’ve set the first layer, check which other places might need a light dusting of powder for extra hold. My kit go-to is Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder because it delivers a red-carpet finish every time. Another technique for oily complexions is to prime the skin with powder after foundation and concealer. A fine layer of loose powder buffed over the skin stops powder blush, bronzer and highlighter from catching on the cream base and causing patchiness, allowing for a more cohesive finish. For this, I swear by Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder.” 

“When it’s set to be a particularly hot day, mist a setting spray over your face. The product needs to be texturally light so it melds seamlessly with the make-up underneath, and to come out of the nozzle in a very fine mist so it distributes evenly. Try Lisa Eldridge’s Skin and Makeup Enhancing Mist or  MAC’s Fix+ Original Setting Spray – a firm favourite, especially now the packaging has had a makeover. Another tip is to use a fan, either paper or electric, to quickly dry the layer.”