Many drugstore foundations fail to truly adhere to skin for more than a few hours - and forget it if any type of rain or humidity is present.
Foundations can often be forced into being the long-wearing kind, by using the setting sprays suggested below. However, if you don’t want to use a spray, or prefer double-assurance that it won’t budge, here are some of the longest lasting foundations available.
*Before you tackle foundation, determine if you want to use the powder primer. This helps keep foundation in place extra long as it prevents skin oils from targeting it.
Purchase if you want to amp up your makeup look to last all day!
FOUNDATION (least to most expensive):
1) Maybelline Super Stay Active Wear -$17
This is one of the best drugstore brands of foundation, where people say it lasts for 12-16 hours without needing a touch up.
This is probably the best option for those with dry to combination skin, as it can hold on for up to 16 hours on those skin types. On oily skin types, it lasts an average of 8-12 hours.
The coverage on this foundation may take a couple of applications. Light-weight it goes on sheer and balanced, but just after that dries (about 30 seconds) you can apply a second layer.
If you have a lot of blemishes to cover, it may take 2 coats - or just place 2 coats on select areas.
Purchase on Amazon: https://link.amazon/B0dETvZuG
2) Dinair Natural or Matte Foundation $18 - $38
Just because this is air-brushed foundation does not mean you need to use the airbrush spray gun! It can be applied with finger tips – but my go to move is to pour some directly into the center of my palm, roll slightly with the other palm, and apply VERY quickly over my entire face (kind of like a moisturizer).
It has superb coverage, and feels water-thin, because it’s water based. This foundation contains NO DIMETHICONE - meaning it will not contribute to breakouts or blackheads! It covers acne, freckling, and redness, providing a beautiful flawless finish without concealer.
This is an amazing foundation to wear during hot, humid temperatures, or when swimming. Just blot your face dry, or let it air dry, and it does not smudge. Also, do not wick away sweat or water by wiping your face – only PAT to dry. This will prevent it from streaking. It does not contain dimethicone, and therefore will not clog pores.
I’d also like to add that this is an optimal foundation for oily, acne prone skin. Since it is water-based, it does not contain heavy, thick ingredients that can clog pores and contribute to excess oiliness.
Purchase on Dinair Waterproof Makeup Website Here: $18-$38
3) Tarte Face Tape Foundation $42
Its users have all sorts of skin conditions from thin to thick, and from weak to strong ~ the thing is, it looks great on all of them! Those with dry skin mentioned that it lasted 12+ hours, but those with oily skin noted they needed touchups within 8 hours.
This is yet another one that contains dimethicone but only requires one application. This functions when applied with fingers, a brush, or a silicone pad, and is very user friendly.
All mentioned that it had long lasting pigment, but some with very oily skin talked about blemishes were apparent after about 6 – 8 hours. However, they mentioned a patch tip for this!
If you don't have the bottle on hand, it can be thinned out with a few drops of water. Just add a very small amount of water (think of two tear-drops) to some nearby foundation, and spread so it becomes liquidous. Quickly spread it on to the area you need to cover, and let it dry for about 30 seconds.
4) Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum 24-Hour Foundation $52
Customers say it feels weightless, others feel it feels cakey. I’ve tried it, and it’s personally one of my favorites because I have some redness and acne scarring. Since it’s so pricey though, I save it for special occasions.
It does stay put for hours, but I would suggest using oil-blotting papers to control oily breakthrough, rather than stacking tinted powder each time you need to get rid of oil. At an astounding 30% pigment, this bad boy even covers tattoos!
It’s highly blendable too, so if it does start to look blotchy or cakey, just smudge it around with your fingers a bit, and it goes back to looking airbrushed. It’s my go-to for beachwear, because this one is really water resistant! Just be sure to pat your skin dry (or let it air-dry), don’t rub with a towel – otherwise it will transfer. If the water is allowed to dry naturally, the finish looks just as perfect as when you applied it.
If you’d like to give it a try, I’d suggest visiting a makeup counter at Macy’s. You can see how the texture sits on your skin, and they can help you find the perfect shade. Sometimes they even have samples.
Purchase on Amazon: https://link.amazon/B0b7qaorp
#5 Face Atelier Ultra Foundation $62
It has a built-in primer, and really does provide full coverage and a flawless finish for any skin type, from dry to oily. Customers say it provides full coverage of hyperpigmentation and acne, without feeling heavy or looking thick. It’s designed to outlast heat, humidity, and skin oils – but is not fully water resistant.
*Note: It does contain Dimethicone, which can cause clogged pores on those with very acne prone skin. Occasional use should be fine, but I would hesitate to use it daily if you are prone to cystic breakouts.
Purchase from their main website at: https://faceatelier.com/products/ultra-foundation
Final thoughts...
Finish everything with makeup setting powder! Whether or not you used powder as primer in the first step, you should always is it in the final step. It will take away any heavy duty shine and make sure foundation is matte & flawless. A transparent oil-control setting powder like Mattify ULTRA will set your makeup look for hours.
Setting Spray
Many people find basic setting sprays have little effect when dealing with oily skin types, or sweat & water-related activities. Ones like Charlotte Tillbury Spray and Urban Decay have built-in hydrators, which have a rough time fully setting makeup. These are fine if you won’t be doing much activity, but aren’t heavy duty – which is disappointing, as they have a high price point of around $35.
Going with a stage makeup setting spray can be more effective, as these are designed for wear during activity, and under hot studio lights.
A few to try are Ben Nye Final Seal, Kryolan Ultra Setting Vaporizer Spray, and Patrick Starr On Till Dawn. These range from $16 - $36, and are sold in the form of trial size so you can test to see if they work.
Some people complain of an alcohol smell, but note that it disappears within a few seconds. I’ve used the Ben Nye spray, and it does have a faint scent, but goes away quickly. Patrick Starr’s variety is probably the best deal, as you can get a 3.4 oz large can for $34. This one provides a nice matte finish and reviewers say it’s up to the task of setting makeup for long wear.
Celebrities and stunt doubles rely on these to keep makeup in place during high-impact activities, so they should work great if you just need your makeup to survive a simple day at the beach!
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