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Party season is upon us and the last thing you want to worry about is your makeup melting off your face while you’re busy having fun.
Follow these tips to ensure flawless makeup throughout the night.
Wash your face thoroughly

As the late Shu Uemura used to say, “beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin”, it is important to ensure that your skin is in its tip-top condition before you even begin makeup application. And nothing helps make up go on as smoothly as on clean skin, so be sure to rid your skin of dirt and grime. Shu Uemura’s Ultime8 Sublime Cleansing Oil, $65 for 150ml, is not only effective against makeup, sebum and grime, but is also fortified with skin-conditioning ingredients to improve skin condition at the same time.

Follow with a gentle cleansing foam like Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser, $33 for 150ml, and you’re all set.
Prep your skin

Before you apply your makeup, remember to massage your favourite moisturiser into your skin as this is an essential step in helping makeup last all night. This is because a moisturiser usually contains a higher content of emollient ingredients compared to lotion or serums, which means it is able to lock moisture into the uppermost layer of skin. This keeps skin surface smooth and plump so makeup is able to glide on perfectly.

For those with dry skin, try IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream Transforming Moisturizing Super Cream, $72 for 60ml, which has a ceramide complex to reinforce skin’s ability to hold moisture, while acne-prone skin will benefit from Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Ultimate Hydro Gel Moisturiser, $60 for 50ml, which has a gel-cream texture and delivers moisture without any greasiness.
Use a primer

A thin layer of primer can make all the difference as it forms a barrier between the skin and makeup. This minimises the oxidation of makeup caused when it comes in contact with the sebum produced by the skin, and this in turn, helps makeup look fresh and radiant even hours after application. It can also help prevent makeup from sinking to fine lines and pores by filling them in to reduce their appearance. You should also select the most suitable primer for your skin type as those with anti-bacterial or oil-absorbing benefits work better for congestion-prone skin.

Try Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment, $59 for 30ml, or opt for one with light-reflecting pigments and soft focus filters, like Erborian Glow Crème, $58 for 30ml, to brighten a dull complexion.
Choose a long-wearing foundation

Now that your skin perfectly prepped, you wouldn’t need to pile on foundation. Instead, just apply foundation wherever needed, and just apply enough to even out skin tone, and never to mask dark spots or dark eye circles as we have concealers for that. We like Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Cushion Foundation, $80, which offers buildable to high coverage in a velvety matte finish. Best part? This foundation is oil-free and also infuses skin with hydration so makeup doesn’t sink into fine lines.
Here are some long wearing foundations that will last all night:
https://www.herworld.com/beauty/makeup/best-tips-long-lasting-party-makeup-eyeliners-primer-foundation/
SQ girls beauty secrets: The most long-lasting foundations for long haul flights
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation, $68
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Marc Jacobs Beauty Shameless Foundation, $74
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Clinically tested to last 24 hours, the Marc Jacobs Beauty Shameless Foundation also has a unique SPF technology that doesn’t cause flashback in photos (great for selfies in low-light conditions). It’s also hydrating, which means dry cabin air won’t take a toll on your skin.
ALSO READ: BEAUTY PRODUCTS THAT SQ GIRLS USE ON THE FLIGHT
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Foundation, $80
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NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, $76
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The NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation has an exceptionally fluid texture – almost like a serum – and a little goes a long way. Offering up to 16 hours of wear, the medium coverage blurs out redness and imperfection with ease.
ALSO READ: BEAUTY PRODUCTS THAT SQ GIRLS USE ON THE FLIGHT
Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Encre De Peau All Hours Foundation, $98
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Urban Decay All Nighter - Liquid Foundation, $62
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Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation, $64
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Containing Amazonian clay which intuitively adjusts itself to suit all skin types, this foundation is suitable for oily, dry or combination skin. The full coverage finish will blur out pores and keep skin looking fresh for up to 12 hours.
ALSO READ: BEAUTY PRODUCTS THAT SQ GIRLS USE ON THE FLIGHT
Stila Stay All Day Foundation and Concealer, $59
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Containing both a foundation and concealer, the Stila Stay All Day Foundation and Concealer is the perfect item to bring along when you’re travelling. Water-resistant with a buildable coverage to boot, the formula also contains a proprietary blend of 15 bio-available vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to keep skin healthy and hydrated.
ALSO READ: BEAUTY PRODUCTS THAT SQ GIRLS USE ON THE FLIGHT
Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation, $55
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With a 15-hour long-wearing formula. the Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation is also sweat resistant and transfer proof. Light diffusing spheres blue out imperfections, all while feeling weightless on skin.
ALSO READ: BEAUTY PRODUCTS THAT SQ GIRLS USE ON THE FLIGHT
L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Foundation, $29.90
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The L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Foundation is one of those foundations that has achieved cult status as being one of the best long-wearing foundation. Its texture is quite smooth when you apply it and boasts at 24-hour wear without the heavy, cakey feeling.
This article first appeared in The Singapore Women’s Weekly
ALSO READ: BEAUTY PRODUCTS THAT SQ GIRLS USE ON THE FLIGHT
Set with powder

One of the favourite tricks that professional makeup artists count on, is to always set your foundation with loose powder. Swirl a large and fluffy brush in your loose powder and tap lightly to remove excess before sweeping it all over your face. It is important to make sure that you do not apply too much powder or your makeup might end up looking chalky. Try the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, $70, as it goes on invisibly and is suitable for all skin tones.
Some of our favourite setting powders:
https://www.herworld.com/beauty/makeup/best-tips-long-lasting-party-makeup-eyeliners-primer-foundation/
10 finishing powders
Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder, $10
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Indispensable for those who are plagued with shine-prone skin, this mineral powder has an ultra-fine texture that disappears onto skin to soak up excess shine so your complexion stays matte. Made with natural minerals and mint harvested from Jeju island, it also helps to balance sebum and moisture levels over time. We also love that its handy size makes it super convenient to carry around for touch-ups on the go.
RCMA The Original No-Color Powder, about $16.30, at Beautylish
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A favourite amongst Hollywood makeup artists for many years, you can count on this for picture perfect skin. Made with a blend of talc and silica, it repels sebum and moisture so your makeup stays put for hours on end without caking, creasing, smudging or fading. It is also formulated without any colour pigments so it goes on invisibly and is perfect for all skin tones. To apply, all you have to do is swirl a large powder brush and tap of excess product before dusting it lightly all over your face.
NYX #nofilter Finishing Powder, $28
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Hands up if you only post filter free selfies of yourself on Instagram. Nobody? Neither did we—until we tried this super smooth and fine-textured powder. Formulated with a special blend of silica and mica, a thin layer of this is all your need to hold makeup in place while giving it a soft-focus effect so the appearance of imperfections are diminished.
Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder, $62
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Want a naturally luminescent finish, as opposed to a matte one? This pressed powder works both as a finishing powder or a subtle highlighter, thanks to its formula of ultra-fine micro pearl particles which reflect and refract light at varying degrees for a naturally luminous finish. Sweep over the tops of your cheekbones, nose bridge, forehead and cupid’s bow to subtly sculpt your features.
By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder, $89
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The first thing you notice about this loose powder is the almost-refreshing sensation you get when the powder comes in contact with your skin. Made with micronised hyaluronic acid and silica microbeads, it instantly plumps fine lines and minimises the appearance of enlarged pores so skin texture remains smooth, feels supple to the touch and has a soft matte finish.
Fenty Invisimatte Blotting Powder, $44
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We’ll just put it out there: if it’s good enough for Rihanna, it sure is good enough for us. And even though we may not be getting our photos taken by the paparazzi any time soon, it couldn’t possible hurt to slay like she does with flawless skin. Made for women with oily skin in mind, this mattifying powder instantly eliminates shine and can be brushed over makeup without shifting or smudging it. It is also suitable for all skin tones as it goes onto skin without a trace and doesn’t cake, clog pores or settle into fine lines.
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Loose Powder, $61
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A little goes a long way with this professional-grade loose powder. Created to help its wearers look perfect with the latest HD technology of the film and TV industry, it is made with spherical micro particles of silica to give skin a velvety smooth finish and a natural glow. We also love that its mesh design helps control the amount of product dispensed and prevent spillage.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, $69
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Iconic to the brand, this setting powder has been its best-sellers for years and has racked up a considerable amount of beauty awards all over the world. According to Laura Mercier, the brand founder, application is key. She swears by applying the powder with the Velour Puff (sold separately): firstly, press the puff into the loose powder, then rub the puff to get rid of excess powder before pressing it onto the skin in a rolling motion. This ensures that only a thin layer of powder is applied so the skin’s natural texture still shows through for a your-skin-but-better effect.
Guerlain Météorites Compact Powder, $89
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The French maison’s Météorites needs no introduction. Known to impart an enviable soft glow on virtually every skin tone, the iconic pearls are finely pressed into this palette of pastel shades in a pearlescent finish. Both colour-correcting and light-enhancing, a few light sweeps of this compact instantly lights up the complexion for an airbrushed effect.
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Powder, $48
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Combining skin-conditioning ingredients, optical-blurring properties and skin-refining benefits, this all-in-one pressed powder if your best bet if you have combination skin that’s showing early signs of ageing. Made of finely-milled micro silk powder, it reduces the appearances of pores while setting makeup. In addition, it is also infused with peptides and hydrolysed collagen to keep skin plump for a smooth and poreless finish.
Finish with setting spray

Finally, complete your base makeup by applying a light mist of foundation setting spray like Urban Decay’s All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, $48 for 118ml, Not only does it infuse skin with refreshing moisture to keep it cool and hydrated, it also locks in your makeup and forms a protective layer over it, repelling humidity for a fresh and radiant complexion that lasts for hours on end.
Use a lip liner before lipstick

To prevent lipstick from smudging and feathering, always line your lips with a lip liner. This forms a barrier around the lip edges to keep lipstick from bleeding beyond so that it remains precise all night long. We like NARS Precision Lip Pencil, $36, which has a creamy texture that glides onto lips smoothly without tugging. Plus, applying it all over your lips helps form a base layer so that any lip colour applied after, be it a liquid or cream, will have something to cling onto for long-lasting results.
Use waterproof eye makeup

The last thing you want to worry about when out and about during this festive season, is to worry about whether you eye shadow, eyeliner or mascara has faded or smudged. To prevent this, be sure to apply a thin layer of eye primer on your lids prior to eye makeup application. Too Faced’s Shadow Insurance Primer, $32, has a peach tint to even out any discolourations and unique binders to keep pigment in place to minimise creasing or fading. Follow with Chanel’s Stylo Ombre et Contour, a creamy eyeshadow formula which blends easily and ensures long-lasting wear.

Tarte’s Kitten Liquid Eyeliner, $31, has a fine felt tip which is effortless to use and dispenses jet-black pigment for an intense effect.
Here are some budge-proof eyeliners:
https://www.herworld.com/beauty/makeup/best-tips-long-lasting-party-makeup-eyeliners-primer-foundation/
12 best eyeliners
1. Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, $32, Sephora
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Not only is it super pigmented, this comes with a waterproof formula that stays put all day without fading or melting off. The superfine and flexible brush tip glides across the lash line like a breeze and reportedly does not fray even after using it multiple times.
2. Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Fine Point Eye Pen, $35, Sephora
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The ultra-fine tip glides on easily for an effortless application. It also features a cartridge system that allows for a constant flow of ink and a formula that dries down quickly and lasts all day (no smudging, running or feathering).
3. Heroine Make Colour Gel Eyeliner, $16.90, Watsons
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With a water and smudge-proof formula, this features a smooth gliding tip that does not tug around the delicate eye area for smooth and easy application. It is also made with hyaluronic acid, collagen, panthenol and chamomile to hydrate, soothe and calm irritation.
4. Shu Uemura Calligraph:ink, $58
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This has a waterproof and sweat-proof formula that dries quickly on the skin and is said to last for up to 18 hours.
5. Tom Ford High Definition Eye Liner, $56, Tom Ford
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This sleek, propel-and-repel mechanical eye pencil delivers high intensity colour in one precise stroke. The long-wearing formula gives an extremely smooth glide for easy application.
6. Estee Lauder Double Wear Infinite Waterproof Eyeliner, $36, Sephora
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The rich, intensely saturated formula glides smoothly onto lids without tugging. It is exceptionally long-wearing, promising 24-hour wear. The water and weatherproof formula is also smudge, transfer, exercise, sweat and humidity resistant.
7. Diorshow Pro Liner, $37, Dior
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The gel-textured liner has a beveled tip to allow you to use it both horizontally and vertically. When held horizontally, it creates a thin, precise line that hugs the curve of your lid. Used vertically, it creates a think, bold line that’s great for creating cat eyes. The retractable tip doesn’t need any sharpening and gives the easy application of a pencil with the colour intensity and glide of a liquid liner.
8. YSL Beaute Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils, $45
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This has a calligraphy-inspired tip and water-based formula that glides on smoothly for easy application. It supposedly gives 12-hour wear and has a water-resistant formula that doesn’t flake.
9. By Terry Ligne Blackstar No. 1, $60, Escentials
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A waterproof liquid eyeliner, it has a felt tip with gentle aqua-emulsion ink that can create both fine or diagonal lines. It also has carbon black pigmented microparticles to give high-impact, deep and luminous colour.
10. Burberry Effortless Liquid Eyeliner, $55, Burberry
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This has an ultra-fine applicator tip that glides on evenly. Its deep, intense colour is enriched with carbon black for customisable line definition and accurate application.
11. Nars Larger Than Life Long-wear Eyeliner, $36, Sephora
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This long-wearing eyeliner glides on smoothly and evenly, and gives long-lasting 12-hour wear with no smearing or caking.
12. Nyx Cosmetics Super Skinny Eye Marker, $18, Sephora
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This sleek eyeliner has a micro-fine felt tip, making it extremely easy to fill in your lash line or creating the cat-eye look.

Finally, coat lashes with Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara, $53, which lengthens and volumises short and stubby lashes while staying put throughout the night.
Bring blotting paper

Don’t forget to slip some blotting paper into your purse for on-the-go touch-ups. Tatcha’s Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers, $18, eliminates shine without affecting makeup. Just dab blotting sheet onto shine-prone areas like your forehead, nose and chin, and never rub or smear.

Or you can try carrying a mattifying balm like Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer, $56, which mops up excess sebum while providing a soft-focus effect for a picture-perfect complexion.
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