A flawless smoky eye, a sculpted cheekbone, the perfect lip… none of it matters if your makeup starts sliding south by midnight. Whether you’re headed to a concert, a dinner date, or a full night of dancing, learning how to make makeup last all night is just as important as choosing the right look. To find out exactly how to keep your makeup from melting off, we spoke to our in-house MUA, Chloe Tebbutt, who shared her go-to tips, favourite long-wear formulas, and expert application tricks.
Keep scrolling to learn how to make makeup last longer, from skin prep to setting tricks, plus the products Chloe trusts to survive hours of fun without budging.
How to make makeup last longer
According to Chloe, the secret to flawless party makeup that actually lasts comes down to “proper prep and a strong finish.” It’s not just about piling on product, it’s about choosing the right textures and locking them in place. Follow Chloe’s five steps to party-proof your glam:
Primer: A great primer creates a smooth canvas, grips your foundation, and helps everything stay put no matter how late the night goes.
Lightweight foundation: Choose breathable, lightweight foundations that even out your skin without feeling heavy. These won’t cake or settle into fine lines, leaving your base fresh for longer.
Powder: Lock in your base with a finely milled setting powder to keep shine under control and stop makeup from slipping.
Setting spray: A few spritzes of setting spray will seal the deal, melting everything together for that fresh, just-applied look.
Lip tint: Swap your regular lipstick for a long-wear tint or lip stain to keep colour intact.
The Best Long-Lasting Primers
“A long-lasting makeup look always starts with primer”, says Chloe. By creating a smooth, grippy base between your skincare and foundation, primer helps makeup adhere properly instead of sliding off once things heat up. If you want a dewy glow that still locks in makeup, our very own By BEAUTY BAY Jelly Grip Hydrating Primer combines hydration with a tacky, long-wear grip, giving foundation something to cling to without feeling heavy. If you’re more concerned about blurring pores or texture, a blurring primer like the Huda Beauty Easy Blur Primer smooths everything out for a soft-focus finish that lasts.
The best long-lasting foundations
Full coverage isn’t always the key to long wear, and sometimes heavy formulas are the first to slide off when you start dancing or sweating. Lightweight, serum-style bases allow your skin to breathe while staying flexible, so they’re less likely to crack, cake, or separate. “A buildable tint like the By BEAUTY BAY Glow Filter Complexion Skin Tint offers a natural, skin-like glow that moves with your face instead of settling into lines”, recommends Chloe. If you love something more skincare-inspired, the Estee Lauder Futurist SkinTint Serum Foundation adds hydration and SPF while still lasting all night.
The Best Long-Lasting Setting Powders
“Powder is your best friend when it comes to combatting shine and slipping makeup”, Chloe says. A finely milled loose powder blurs, mattifies, and locks foundation and concealer into place without looking dry or chalky. If you love a soft-filtered finish, Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder smooths and brightens under the eyes while setting the entire face. Prefer something weightless? The Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder offers invisible oil control that keeps your makeup fresh through heat, sweat, and humidity without ever feeling heavy.
The best long-lasting setting spray
Finishing with a setting spray seals everything together so your makeup looks freshly applied for hours. “Setting sprays don’t just sit on top, they help powder melt into foundation, preventing that powdery look and locking in all layers of your makeup”, Chloe explains. For nights out, a long-wear mist like the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is a cult-favorite for a reason, keeping makeup locked in place whatever the weather or occasion. If you like a glowier finish, the By Terry MTG Hyalruonic Glow Setting Mist adds hydration and radiance while still keeping your look intact.
The best long-lasting lip stains
Traditional lipstick tends to fade fast, especially after food and drinks, but lip stains are designed to cling to the lips for hours without smudging or transferring. They absorb into the lip instead of sitting on top, meaning the colour stays put even as the night goes on. “If you want weightless, long-wearing color that won’t budge or smudge, the By BEAUTY BAY All Hours Lip Stain delivers buildable, wearable colour”, advises Chloe. For a precise, lined look that doesn’t budge, the Sacheu Beauty Lip Liner STAY-N locks in shape and colour for serious longevity.
