Inspiration

How to Achieve the Perfect Party Makeup

Claire

Getting ready to go to a party is always fun, but it’s extra fun if you are pleased with the result and know that the makeup will stay on the whole night. Here are some things to keep in mind when putting on your party makeup that will be real game changers if you’re not already doing them!

Inspiration

How to Achieve the Perfect Party Makeup

Claire

Getting ready to go to a party is always fun, but it’s extra fun if you are pleased with the result and know that the makeup will stay on the whole night. Here are some things to keep in mind when putting on your party makeup that will be real game changers if you’re not already doing them!

Skincare = Everything

The first step is, like always, to take care of your skin. This is something that you should do every day, of course, as well as using an eyelash serum to make your lashes nice and long, but why not pamper your face a bit extra the day before the party? Make sure to use a good serum and maybe a lotion before you put on your moisturiser, and you could also use a face mist to give it an extra hydration boost.


If you want to use a face mask the day before a party, make sure that it is one that you have used before so that you know how your skin is going to react. New products might lead to breakouts or you might have an allergic reaction. Even though you might feel like pampering yourself with a new sheet mask (who doesn’t like to try new ones?!), stick to something more familiar and boring, yet effective.


On the day of the party, make sure that you allow the skincare products plenty of time to be absorbed by the skin before you apply makeup. That will make the makeup stay better and it will be easier to put it on.
If you apply foundation or concealer before the moisturiser has dried completely, there is a risk that it will look patchy or not cover as well as you want it to.


It is also important to make sure that you don’t get any eye cream on your eyelashes since that will make your mascara more likely to shed.


Use a Primer

Tip number 2 is to use a good primer. A primer is a product that is designed to make your foundation and everything you put over it last much longer. Some primers have nourishing qualities that are good for the skin as well.


The difference a primer does can be enormous and it is a well-worth investment that will make your makeup stay on no matter how much you dance at the party.


If you’re using eyeshadow, it can be a good idea to use a special primer for your eyelids so that you can be sure that it will stay where you applied it.


Moving on With the Essentials

When you apply your foundation, you need to make sure that your primer and all the skincare products you’ve been using have dried completely. Whether you want to apply it with your fingers, a brush or something else is completely up to you and depends on the result you want to achieve.


The most important thing is that you choose a foundation that you have tried before and that you know lasts well. If it normally lasts for pretty much an entire working day, it will be sufficient for a party as well.
It’s easy to overdo it with the foundation and concealer when you really want your makeup to last all night long, but be careful so that the result doesn’t look unnatural and make sure that there are no visible lines.


When you’ve applied your concealer you can apply blush and bronzer if you like and finish with a setting powder. The powder doesn’t have to go equally all over your face, focus on the forehead, the nose, and the chin since the cheeks aren’t likely to get oily. In fact, if you do put powder on your cheeks they may look a bit furry since it can make the little hairs we all have more visible than usual.


Make sure to bring your powder along with you to be able to refresh it during the night. And bring your powder brush as well, the little applicator that normally is included is never any good!


Time for the Setting Spray

We’ve all been there. Your makeup looked flawless when you left the house, but after a few hours of enjoying yourself, it’s beginning to give in. But it doesn’t have to be like that. There are a few things you can do after you’ve applied your makeup.


Many were taught, when they first started wearing makeup, that hairspray can be used to get your makeup to last. But hairspray is less than ideal since it’s simply not meant to be worn on your skin. You don’t want to waste all those good skincare products by putting bad stuff on your face!


It’s far better to use a setting spray. This is a spray that you use after you’re finished with your makeup to seal it. It protects against bad weather and everything else that might endanger your makeup.


A setting spray is different from a facial mist. A facial mist’s purpose is to give the skin extra moisture and is a skincare product. A setting spray, on the other hand, acts as a barrier between the makeup and the outside world.


The difference is best illustrated by comparing them to a primer vs. a moisturiser. The setting spray is like the primer, a product that makes the rest of your makeup last. A facial mist, on the other hand, is like a moisturiser, a skincare product. There are some sprays that claim to do both, but normally, a setting spray is the best thing to go for if you want your party makeup to last all night long.


Use Blotting Paper When Necessary

Have you met Blotting Paper before? If not, it’s your new best friend! When you’re at a party and it’s warm and crowded, your T-zone (the forehead, the nose, and the chin) can start to feel oily and look shiny, no matter how strict you’ve been with your skincare routine, and no matter how many priming and setting products you’ve been using.


It’s tempting to just keep applying more powder, but that can be a mistake. Often times, it’s better to use blotting paper, which soaks the oil up from your skin and leaves it looking matte and natural.


What About the Lipstick?

Ok, so you know how to look after your skin so that the makeup stays put and you don’t look oily, but what about the lipstick? How can you make it last, even though you’re eating and drinking?


The most important thing is to choose a good lipstick. There are so many to choose from, but a rule of thumb is that you shouldn’t even consider the cheapest ones, they’re not made to last very long.


If you go for a liquid lipstick that dries up completely and gives you a matte look, make sure that you exfoliate your lips before you apply it. You can do it with a lip peeling or even just a regular towel. A corner of a towel that you soak in hot water can do wonders to dry lips!


Also, make sure that you use a lip balm for a while before you apply the lipstick so that they are smooth and nice. For some lipsticks, you need to wipe off the lip balm before you apply them, others work fine anyway. Experiment with what works for your lipstick.


Another thing that will make your lipstick stay on amazingly well is using foundation under the lipstick. For this one, you need to let the lip balm stay on, otherwise, the lips will go dry. Apply one layer of lipstick, ‘bite’ on some toilet roll or a tissue, and apply another layer. Finish off with lip gloss if desired.


Of course, you might need to reapply your lipstick during the night, but if you follow these steps and make sure to be careful when you’re eating and drinking, you will notice that you don’t have to worry about it too much.


It does take some planning to achieve the perfect party makeup that stays on the whole night through, but if you follow these steps, your makeup is going to look flawless at every party!