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Hey ladies, gather round.
We are going to talk about one of the most important (and painfully relatable) topics ever.
Have you ever done your makeup so well that it’s basically a work of art?
Your look is eating so hard, you can’t stop admiring yourself in the mirror, and then, just a few hours later, your face turns into a sweaty mess or just completely vanishes into thin air.
Oh, the horror!
Just the flashbacks of those moments are sending me over the edge.
I remember stopping makeup entirely at one point because I was completely over it.
Imagine being at an event and your friend (or a well-meaning stranger) walks up to tell you that your makeup is melting off. Now you have to rush to the bathroom to fix your face again.
And let’s not forget the struggle of carrying a heavy bag full of makeup products for constant touch-ups.
And don’t even get me started on summer.
It is the absolute worst.
Your makeup starts melting the moment you step out of the house, or, in the worst cases, even before you leave because you are running around trying to find something or squeeze into your outfit.
Jesus, take the wheel.
Girl, it was a struggle.
After several embarrassing moments, I realized I had to take action.
So, I did some extensive research on how to get your makeup to stay all day.
I watched countless YouTube videos, paid for makeup classes, and even asked my makeup artist friends for advice.
During my research, I discovered tons of tips and tricks that actually work.
And because we don’t gatekeep over here, I am going to be sharing all the hidden secrets on how to do a sweat proof makeup.
So, grab your pen and paper, you are going to want to take notes.
Let’s jump right into it.
1. Do Your Skin Prep

The first and most important tip for a sweat proof makeup : never skipping skin prep.
Honey, listen up, you should never ever skip prepping your skin for makeup.
Start by cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser: it could be micellar water or a foaming cleanser.
Either ways, you need a clean, clear base. Think of it as creating a blank canvas before starting your art.
If you have oily skin, make sure to double cleanse to get rid of every trace of dirt and oil. This helps remove impurities, excess sebum, and anything else that could ruin your makeup later on.
After cleansing, go in with your toner, serum, sunscreen, and above all, your moisturizer.
Now, draw your chairs closer and listen carefully: YOU NEED TO MOISTURIZE.
I don’t care if you have oily, dry, or combination skin; your skin should be well-moisturized, soft, and supple before applying any makeup.
Why? Because moisturizing helps your makeup products (like concealers and foundation) adhere better to your skin, making them last all day.
Also, when your face is hydrated, it prevents cakiness and creates a smooth surface for your foundation to glide on effortlessly.
Here is a little pro tip for you:
If you have oily or combination skin, go for gel-based moisturizers.
If your skin is dry, opt for a thick or cream moisturizer to lock in hydration.
And one more thing before we move on to the next tip.
Allow your skincare products to properly sit in before starting your makeup.
You can eat, gossip with your best friend, argue with your boyfriend, or even start with your brows before doing your face beat.
2. Invest In A Hydrating Primer

One of the best tips you can ever get for a sweat proof is to invest in a primer.
But here is the thing, not just any primer will do. You need a hydrating one.
Personally, my favorite is the Milk Hydro Grip Primer. As someone with oily skin, I can boldly say this has been one of my best purchases since I started doing makeup.
It has a non-sticky, gripping texture that makes any makeup product you apply on top stick right to it, like a magnet.
Moreover, it is a water-based primer which is perfect for the oily skin baddies (if you know, you know).
Using a water-based primer ensures every other makeup product layers smoothly without separating or sliding off throughout the day.
On the other hand, if you are more on the dry side, I highly recommend the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer.
It hydrates the skin, adding an extra layer of hydration to keep your face soft and prepped for makeup.
This Primer also has that same grippy texture that locks your foundation and keep other products in place, almost like they were glued to your skin.
Additionally, If you are an avid follower of the latest makeup trends, such as latte makeup, grunge makeup, dark feminine makeup, and blush blindness, etc.
These looks often require special techniques and a smooth base to really pop. That is another reason why a hydrating primer is a must-have in your routine.
3. Apply A Thin Layer Of Setting Powder Before Foundation

I actually got this trick during a ranting session with my friend, who happens to be a celebrity makeup artist.
I was complaining about how sweat always washes off my makeup during the summer.
That is when she told me that if I wanted to know how to do sweat proof makeup, I should try this trick: after priming my face and allowing it to sit for a few minutes, take a fluffy brush, dip it lightly into setting powder, dust off the excess, and gently dab it all over my face.
According to her, this step helps absorb excess oil from the skin before applying foundation, which keeps makeup looking matte and fresh for long hours.
And when I tried it, it was mind-blowing.
My makeup lasted the entire day, and even after long hours of wear, it still looked fresh, almost like I had just done it.
In addition, I noticed that this technique also blurs pores, giving my skin a smoother, more flawless finish.
You see, with oily skin, it is beyond the excess sebum: we also deal with enlarged pores, and that can affect how our makeup turns out.
So, this technique has officially become a go-to for me.
However, if you have dry skin, kindly skip this step. The last thing you need is anything matte, as it can dry out your skin and ruin your makeup look completely.
4. Underpainting

If you have been wondering how to get your makeup to look flawless for that special occasion, then it is time to try underpainting.
Basically, this is a technique where you apply your concealer, bronzer, and cream blush first before going in with your foundation.
Unlike the regular makeup routine, where you apply foundation first and then layer everything else on top.
Underpainting gives you a flawless, airbrushed finish without having to pile on layers of excess products.
This technique is perfect for prom makeup, date night makeup or any event where you want to your facial features to standout beautifully with a natural, sculpted glow.
5. Use a Setting And Fixing Spray In The Same Routine

One of the most asked questions I get from women who admire my face beat is how to get your makeup to stay all day.
And I will answer this by saying, you need to use both a setting spray and a fixing spray in your makeup routine.
Now, I know you might be wondering, since they are both sprays, don’t they do the same thing?
Well, no they don’t.
And nope, one cannot replace the other because they both serve completely different purposes.
You see, a setting spray helps to set your makeup in place.
In other words, it melts all your products (such as your foundation, powder, blush, and bronzer) together so they look seamless and skin-like.
It also removes that powdery or cakey finish, giving your face a fresh, hydrated glow.
Personally, my top two setting sprays that I will always swear by, even with a gun to my head, are the Milk Hydro Grip Setting Spray and NYX Bare With Me Setting Spray.
These two melt your products together beautifully while giving a healthy, hydrated finish. The best part is, they work perfectly for all skin types whether dry, combination, or oily.
On the other hand, a fixing spray works differently. Think of it like a hairspray but for your face.
It is usually alcohol-based, and what it actually does is lock your makeup in place so it doesn’t budge, smudge, or move throughout the day.
The Revolution Superfix Fixing Spray is one product I highly recommend.
It is shine-free, suitable for all skin types, and helps your makeup last for hours, even under heat or sweat. Tested and trusted by my humble self.
If you are someone who sweats a lot or has an important event that requires long-lasting makeup, combining both sprays will give you the best results.
The setting spray melts everything together while the fixing spray locks it all in place; the ultimate combo for makeup that is sweat proof.
6. Use Only Water-Based Products, If You Are Oily Skinned

This is very important, especially for my oily-skin girlies.
Do not, I repeat, do not, use a water-based primer or moisturizer with an oil-based foundation or concealer, and vice versa.
This is because oil and water don’t mix.
When you layer products with different bases, they tend to separate, which can cause your makeup to break apart and turn into a complete hot mess.
And trust me you don’t want that.
7. Use A Setting Spray At Every Step Of Your Makeup

This will prevent your makeup from sliding off and help you use fewer products overall, which also keeps your look from getting cakey.
To make the most of it, always spray before, during, and after your makeup.
So after skin prep, spray.
Done priming? Spray.
Finished underpainting? Pfft pfft.
Applied your foundation? Spray again.
Just blended your powder products? Go in with another layer of setting spray.
Finally, once you are completely done with your makeup, finish with a generous amount of your setting spray.
What Sweatproof Makeup Secrets Do You Swear By?
And that’s it, guys. We have come to the end of this article on the hidden secrets behind sweat proof makeup that lasts all day.
I hope your notebooks are full and that you are now ready to level up your makeup game. I honestly can’t wait to see y’all out there eating up with your looks.
One more final and super important tip before I take my leave: do not use expired products.
I know, I know, some of them were expensive, but bestie, you have got to let them go.
No technique, trick, or even a miracle can stop your makeup from smudging or caking if the products you are using are already expired.
Besides, expired makeup is not good for your skin and can cause serious breakouts, especially if you have sensitive skin.
So take a moment, go through your makeup bag, and declutter anything that is past its expiration date, even if it expired just an hour ago.
Let me know if you have any of your own tips to share!
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