How to Make Your Makeup Last Through Holiday Celebrations

The festive season is filled with long days and even longer nights, from Christmas dinners to New Year’s Eve parties. The last thing you want is your makeup fading before the night’s over. Here are some tips to ensure your makeup stays flawless from start to finish.

1. Start with a Clean Canvas

Proper skin preparation is key to long-lasting makeup. Cleanse your skin thoroughly to remove any oil, dirt, or residue that could cause your makeup to slide off. Follow up with a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser that suits your skin type, and don’t forget to apply a hydrating lip balm.

Tip: Consider using an exfoliator to smooth your skin’s texture, allowing makeup to adhere better.

2. Prime for Perfection

A good primer can be your best friend during the holiday season. It creates a smooth base for foundation and helps to lock in your makeup for hours. Choose a primer that suits your skin type—mattifying for oily skin, hydrating for dry skin, or a blurring primer for uneven texture.

Tip: Apply an eyeshadow primer to prevent creasing and keep your eye makeup vibrant all night.

3. Choose Long-Wear Formulas

Opt for long-wearing, waterproof, or transfer-proof formulas for your foundation, concealer, and other face products. These products are designed to withstand hours of wear, even in festive conditions.

Tip: Use a setting powder to set your foundation and concealer, focusing on areas prone to oiliness, like your T-zone.

4. Layer for Longevity

Layering your makeup helps to build up staying power. For instance, after applying a cream blush, layer a powder blush on top to set it. The same goes for eyeshadow—apply a cream shadow as a base, then set it with a powder shadow in a similar shade.

Tip: Apply a translucent setting powder between layers to lock each step in place.

5. Don’t Forget to Set

A setting spray is the final step in ensuring your makeup stays put. It helps to melt the layers together, reduce any powdery finish, and lock everything in place. Choose a setting spray that caters to your needs—matte, dewy, or long-lasting.

Tip: For extra staying power, mist your face with setting spray after applying each makeup step.

6. Touch-Up Tools

Even with the best prep, touch-ups might be necessary throughout the night. Carry a touch-up kit with essentials like blotting papers, a pressed powder compact, a lip colour, and a travel-sized setting spray.

Tip: Keep your touch-up kit compact and minimal, so it’s easy to carry and quick to use.

With these tips, you can enjoy your holiday celebrations without worrying about your makeup fading or smudging. A little preparation and the right products can ensure that your look stays fresh from Christmas dinner all the way to the New Year’s countdown.