From The Straits Times    |
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#1 DON’T NEGLECT YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
A skincare basic that’s been said time and time again: Your skin will overcompensate and produce more oil if it feels that it’s lacking in it. So while it’s tempting to skip the lotions and creams for an oil-free day out, don’t. It’s always essential to keep the skin properly moisturised and hydrated. Well-moisturised skin provides a better base for makeup, too.

Reach for lighter textures – or layer light ones over each other like essences, serums, gels or gel-creams – so you don’t feel like there’s a thick layer of skincare sitting at the top of your skin.

If you suffer from occasional dry patches – say, unpredictable combination skin that gets drier or oilier by the day – opt for a dry oil, one that immediately sinks into the skin and comforts it (a tip we learnt from makeup artist Dollei Seah). It’ll provide a great base for makeup, especially drier oil-control formulas.

#2 USE A PRIMER
Sure, primers are not always necessary – prepping your skin with a good skincare routine is enough for your makeup to last through a normal work day (in air-conditioning), but not if you’re going to be out under the sun for long. So grab your favourite oil-controlling primer and apply it right after your skincare routine, before makeup.

Those with combination skin may want to use it only on the T-Zone, as primers can sometimes feel drying on the skin as the day goes by.

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Here’s one we swear by: Benefit’s Porefessional, $49, an oldie but goodie which provides a silky base while minimising the appearance of pores and keeping oil at bay. Another top contender is Make Up For Ever’s Skin Equalizer, $68, in the mattifying version. If you’re concerned about large pores, then try the smoothing version, which will help to blur their appearance.

Of course, don’t forget the eyes if you want your eyeliner to stay in place!

#3 SET YOUR MAKEUP
Next to primer, setting powders can help to keep makeup in place while controlling oil at the same time.

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Our favourites for natural matte skin include Chanel’s Natural Finish Loose Powder (it may cost $77 but it’ll last for at least a year, #truestory), Bobbi Brown’s Sheer Finish Pressed Powder, $62, and Innisfree’s No Sebum Mineral Powder, $10, a steady best-seller in Korea for the hotter months.

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For something that has a more luminising finish, consider the Nars Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder, $50, which provides good enough oil control for combination skin (about 5 hours from our experience).

#4 USE TINTS & CREAM FORMULAS
Tints and cream formulas are a great option to keep your brows, blusher and lipstick in place. They usually go on sheer, so they give a natural translucent finish and stay on the skin for a long time.

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We love Clio’s latest Tinted Tattoo Kill Brow, which dyes the skin a natural brown and stays on for about a week. It comes with an eyebrow mascara on the other end, too, so you can use it to keep brow hairs in place.

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For a healthy flush, try these two natural cream and fluid blushers: Majolica Majorca Blood On 10, $17.90, can be used on both the cheeks and lips for a rosy appearance, while Stila’s Aqua Glow Watercolour Blush, $37, feels cooling to the touch and goes on exactly like, well, watercolour. For extra long-lasting colour, lightly layer a powder blusher on top of these cream and gel products.

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As for lip tints, we like Peripera’s Peri’s Tint, $9.90, which has a watery consistency that is easy to apply and stayed on for six hours. If you prefer glossy finishes, then Dior’s Cheek & Lip Glow in #001 Instant Blushing Rosy Tint, $60, is your best bet – it lasted five hours on us. Both of these products can also double up as cheek tints.

#5 PACK SMART
Prepping your skin and makeup for humid weather is just half the battle won, because makeup mishaps happen, and unfortunately, always at the wrong time. The best way to conquer this? Packing smart.

We asked makeup artist Larry Yeo for his five party clutch essentials that will help remedy any eyeliner smudges or oily skin on a long night out. His advice? A good concealer to touch up foundation or sudden spots that may appear, an oil-absorbing powder to take away shine (remember to blot first), a tinted lip balm for a quick wash of colour, as well as makeup cleansing wipes and cotton buds that will help remove any unwanted smudges.

Makeup: Zhou Ai Yi from Makeup Entourage, using Urban Decay. Hair: Alvin Ong from Arx Salon, using Shiseido Stageworks. Art direction: Michelle Tham. Styling: Niki Bruce, assisted by Hong Xinying and Ainslyn Lim. Models: Nadia R and Grace L

Want more tips on how to help your makeup last longer? Check out these five best long-lasting foundations for humid weather, and these six long-lasting eyeshadows, primers and more that’ll help you stay matte.