5 Hacks to Keep Your Makeup Fresh the Entire School Day

September 02, 2021

By: Ariel Wodarcyk | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

School is in session, and that means locking down a back-to-school makeup routine that is quick, affordable and lasts all the way through last period with minimal touch-ups. Keep reading for our favorite long-wearing makeup products and tricks to make sure your foundation doesn’t crease and your lipstick stays smudge-proof.

Start (and finish) with a setting spray.

Did you know you don’t have to save setting spray until the last step of your makeup routine? In fact, spritzing it on before you start applying makeup, or using it to dampen your foundation sponge in lieu of water, can further extend the wear of your makeup. Pro tip: finish off your eyes with eyeliner and mascara after you apply your setting spray. Spraying a wet mist onto freshly applied liner and mascara can make the products smudge. If you’re on the market for a new setting spray, we love the Dermablend Lock and Last Water-Resistant Setting Spray — you can read our editor’s in-depth review of the spray here.

Apply powder before foundation.

One of our favorite beauty influencers, Jackie Aina, turned us on to this trick and we haven’t looked back since. Instead of just setting her foundation with powder, she applies a light layer of powder to primed skin before her foundation. This adds sheer coverage, meaning you can get away with wearing less foundation, and it keeps your makeup looking matte all day. This hack works best for those with oily and combination skin, as long as you only apply it to the areas that tend to get shiny. Make sure to use a lightweight, finely milled powder, such as the NYX Professional Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Setting Powder.

Don’t skip primer.

Primer may seem like an unnecessary extra step, but it really can help your makeup go the distance. The Urban Decay Cosmetics All Nighter Face Primer feels hydrating and imparts a subtle glow while locking in your makeup for up to eight hours.

Use a longwear brow product.

Sometimes more is more, especially if you want your brows to stay put all day. We like filling in our arches with the pencil side of the Maybelline New York Express Brow 2-in-1 Pencil and Powder, then setting them with the powder on the other end. For maximum hold, coat the hairs with a brow gel, such as the L'Oréal Paris Unbelieva-Brow Longwear Eyebrow Topcoat.

Layer your lip colors.

Whether you’re a gloss or a lipstick girl, starting with a waxy base courtesy of a lip pencil will extend the life of your lip color. The Sweet Street Cosmetics Thick & Thin Lipstick and Lipliner Duo combine both steps in one product and contain moisturizing shea butter and vitamin E. We love that the brand is also Latina-owned.

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn