5 Reasons Your Makeup Isn't Staying On + How To Keep It In It's Place
- Emma English
- Aug 3, 2016
- 5 min read
Do me a solid and raise your hand if after a full day of work, errands and/or mom-ing, you thoroughly enjoy glancing into a mirror and seeing all your makeup beneath your eyes? Keep your hands raised if you also love having to reapply your concealer, foundation, powder or eyeliner 500 times a day.
If you're hand is raised, you're probably a weirdo who fancies themselves looking like a greasy raccoon. You should probably put your hand down and go back to whatever it is you do that allows you to look like that all the time, because this post isn't for you.
Now, those you who make sound life choices, here it is, the white buffalo of makeup questions-- the question we've asked a million times and gotten a million different disappointing answers to: WHY THE HELL WON'T MY MAKEUP STAY ON MY FACE?!
I have created this post as a stress reliever for all you makeup wearers out there as apart of my 'Face Makeup Guide' to make your life easier. I can attribute the reason(s) your makeup isn't staying on to 5 major makeup misunderstandings, so keep reading to find out if you're suffering from one of them!
#1: You don't understand your skin type
Don't roll your eyes-- I know for some of you it may sound remedial, but skin type has a crap ton to do with how your makeup stays on. Keep in mind that your skin changes just like the rest of your parts do so it's possible that your skin texture and type will change several times over the course of your life. Consequently, your makeup and skincare products will need to change with it. That is unless you pleasantly welcome additional struggle into your daily life for which we will never be friends. Sorry, but it's true. Take a look at the graphics below and decide which skin type matches yours, then purchase your products accordingly. Who knew it'd be so easy?! If you want to save or share the full, more-snazzier version of this graphic, be sure and check it out here: Full Skin Type Graphic
#2: You're buying the wrong products
Buying the wrong products is pretty much a consequence of not understanding your skin type and could be having a serious effect on the way your makeup stays on your skin. If you don't understand what type of skin you have, you don't know what products to buy. If you aren't buying the right products they won't stay on your skin. The graphics in Reason #1 should shed some light on what types of products you should lean towards for you skin type.
Choosing face makeup and skin care products is like being on a diet (go with me on this)-- there are some foods that people can eat all day everyday with zero repercussions that would have a drastically different effect on you. Mine is macaroni and cheese. Dude, I would eat that shiz everyday if I could but I can't because I would look like Tyler Perry in 'Norbit'. But this is about you guys and not me-- there are products designed for specific skin types and textures that won't work for you, aka: your macaroni and cheese. ::stomach rumbles::
Make sure when you're purchasing products that you do your homework. Reading reviews and ingredients could save you time, money and make dealing with your skin much less of a pain in the can.
#3: You're aren't removing all your makeup
While you may think your makeup's inability to stay on your skin may be attributed to a combination of user error and product type, it's actually more common for it to be because of your makeup remover. ::gasp:: Could it be?! Now wipe that puzzled look off your face and stop questioning my credibility while I shed some light on why this makes sense.
Think of the pores in your skin like millions of tiny cups (If it helps create the visual, I'm picturing those small cups they give you at the dentist). If those cute, little cups are empty then you can fill them with whatever you want with no problems. However, if those cups are already full and you try to put more stuff into them, they will only overflow and cause problems. Your pores work in the same way! It's vital when trying to make your makeup last, that your skin absorbs the products your putting on it-- if it's sitting on top of your skin it's directly exposed to all the elements that are just going to cause it to come off quickly.
To make sure your skin/pores/cups are available to absorb and retain today's makeup, you have to ensure that yesterday's is completely removed. BUT-- don't forget to check the ingredients! I personally believe that oil-free makeup remover is your safest bet, leave the moisturizing to your moisturizer. Duh.
Here's a few of my favorite makeup removers that always do the trick (and I prefer to look like a drag queen so you know they work):
#4: You aren't moisturizing correctly
So, you know what skin type you've got, you have all the correct products and you remove your makeup every night like your life depends on it-- what's left? Moisturizer! Remember what I was saying before about how products that sit on top of your skin instead of absorbing into the skin aren't working for you? Well that mantra still applies here.
Your makeup won't stay on your face if your skin isn't properly moisturized. In order for your skin to absorb your makeup, it has to be moist enough to retain it. ::shudders:: (side note, I hate that word) If you're using a moisturizer that isn't sinking into your skin within the first hour after application then your skin doesn't want it and you should change moisturizers. Your makeup won't stay on until you do.
#5: You aren't using your products correctly
Well we've covered just about all of them which means this last one must be the grand finale, right? Right! Sometimes you have all the right products but you just aren't using them the correct way and it's making your life hard. My favorite motto is, "work smarter, not harder" and I am determined to help you do just that!
I recently polled a group of women that were having problems keeping their makeup applied and found that many of the solutions to their problems were due to commonly misused face makeup products. So, for your viewing pleasure:
Foundation + Concealer:
Apply it to your face with a foundation brush, not a sponge and never your fingers-- one's wasteful and the other is just unsanitary and will result in breakouts
Try blending large areas with a stippling brush and small areas with a sponge
Use a large face brush to apply a matte, translucent powder over your foundation to set it on your skin
When layering foundation for full coverage, use a matte, translucent powder after each layer to seal
Powder:
Have several shades of powder-- your skin isn't all one color and your powder shouldn't be either
You should keep a translucent powder, skin shade powder and a bronzer in your makeup kit to put dimension back into your face Applying powder should never be in hard strokes or lines unless you're applying contour-- keep strokes light and feathered to avoid hash lines
Sweep a dark eye shadow over gel, pencil or liquid eyeliner to matte away shine, blend harsh lines and seal the liner
Well pretty people, that's it for today! Any and all makeup questions feel free to comment and ask! Also, we all know that sharing is caring so if you or anyone you know could benefit from this post be sure to 'Share' and 'Like' to your little heart's desire! Stay tuned for new posts every day and follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook for more daily makeup tips tricks and updates! XOXO,
Emma
Comments