How to Set Your Makeup for a True 24-Hour Wear

Prep decides everything

Exfoliate the night before, not the morning of, and let moisturiser absorb for a full five minutes before primer. Makeup applied to damp skin slides.

Bake only where you crease

Under the eyes, around the nose and on the chin. Two minutes is plenty — longer just dries out the skin and emphasises texture.

Setting spray in two stages

Spray once after foundation and concealer, then again after powder, blush and bronzer. The mid-routine layer is the one most people skip, and it is the one that keeps colour from lifting.

Waterproof the danger zones

Brows, lash line and lips are what fail first. Use waterproof formulas there even if the rest of your face is not, and blot lips with a tissue between colour layers.

The overnight test

If your look needs to last past midnight, do a dry run on a normal day. You will learn exactly where your face breaks down and can pre-empt it.