Putting on my makeup in the morning is one of my essential mind-centering routines. I love it. That being said, I only want to do it once. Finding the best long wear makeup products is really important to me, because I want the freedom to go about my day without having to locate a mirror and touch things up in two hour intervals. This is especially true for lipstick that lasts all day (because tinted teeth and the clown mouth outline are probably not what you're shooting for), but it also goes for foundations that stay matte and primers that do their job.
Basically, if I can get home at the end of the day — regardless of humidity levels and amount of physical exertion — and find my makeup in the same place that I left it, I'm one happy girl. A lot of this has to do with prepping your makeup for all day wear, but it's also important to choose products that are reliable, durable, and a careful balance of hydrating and mattifying.
If you're not sure where to look, the review section is always a great place to start — who better to tell you about the products than folks who've already tried them? Check out these highly-rated top picks for makeup products that stay on all day so you can keep your look going from morning to midnight.
1Lip Color That Lasts Through Meals, Workdays, And All-Nighters
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, $24, Amazon
This Stila Stay All Day liquid lipstick is being called "by far the best lipstick on earth" thanks to its beautiful pigment lasts through meals, drinks, full work days, and nights out. It dries to a matte finish that still keeps your lips looking and feeling hydrated (because of the vitamin E and avocado oil) and it comes in your choice of 10 different colors. "I first put it on at 5 A.M. this morning before coming to work, and I have yet to reapply seven hours later," says one reviewer.
2Set Your Makeup With A Refreshing Natural Mist
Pure Bliss Setting Spray, $12, Amazon
With nearly 600 rave reviews, Pure Bliss setting spray is one of the best natural setting sprays you'll find. It comes out in a fine refreshing mist that's always lightweight and never sticky, so you can set your makeup in the morning and leave it entirely alone until bedtime. It's especially great for humid environments or naturally oily skin, which is why people are saying things like, " It works just as well as the high end make up and leaves my make up on all day, and prevents it from running, creasing and blotting in this hot Florida heat and humidity."
3This Concealer Won't Shine Or Crease For 15 Hours
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer, $32, Amazon
It's hard to find a concealer that doesn't shine or crease, but people swear by MAC Pro Longwear concealer. It lasts up to 15 hours with full coverage and a natural matte finish all over your face. You can also use it under your eyes or on blemishes, and best of all, it's never cakey or dry like many long-lasting options on the market.
4Primer To Make Any Eye Shadow Last For Hours
Thank Me Later Eye Shadow Primer, $15, Amazon
No matter what shade you're going for, prepping your lids with Thank Me Later eye shadow primer will stop any creasing, fading, or smudging. It locks in and intensifies your color with a lightweight formula, and because it's unscented and goes on entirely transparent, it mixes well with any palette. "Let me start by saying I have used nearly every eyeshadow primer available, says one reviewer. "They don't hold a candle to Thank Me Later."
5This Gel Formula That Stains Your Lips And Cheeks
theBalm Stainiac, $15, Amazon
The theBalm Stainiac can be used on cheeks or lips, and it's so effective because it's not a stick — it's a stain. It's an aloe-infused gel based formula that won't streak or fade once it's dried, which is why reviewers are raving about it with descriptions like these: " It goes on light and you can control how intense you want the color to be. And it lasts and lasts all day."
6Loads Of Color Without Smudging Or Transferring
Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick, $24, Sephora
When asked, “Makeup gurus of Reddit, what is your favorite long-lasting, non-transfer lipstick?” user morebakasana simply answered, “Smashbox,” and loads of people seem to agree. It's meant to last for eight whole hours without smudging or transferring, it's got a great precision tip applicator for a concise job, and it works on dry lips, too. "It lasted through cooking, tasting, drinking, dinner — and didn't dry my lips too much," says one reviewer.
7A Reliable Long-Lasting Base For Any Makeup
Prime Time Foundation Primer, $21, Amazon
No matter what foundation, blush, or contour powder you're using, Prime Time Foundation Primer is the base you need to make your look last all day long. It acts as a pore-corrector, moisturizer, toner, and primer all in one, as it prepares your skin for even and long-lasting coverage, especially when it comes to dry powder foundations. "One pump under your foundation is all you need," says one reviewer. "It does wonders for the overall look of my foundation — I find that it takes a lot less foundation to cover my very blotchy skin."
8This Waterproof Liner Actually Lives Up To Its Word
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, $22, Amazon
With 14 colors and over 3000 reviews, Stila Stay All Day waterproof liquid eyeliner is an incredible option. Its shocking pigments last all day and night without smudging, fading, or running, and it has a professional felt-tip applicator that makes it easy to get your boldest look. "So many products claim to be waterproof," says one reviewer, "but this is the only eyeliner that truly lives up to its word."
9This Japanese Mascara That Reviews Say Lasts Hours
Heroine Make Long And Curl Waterproof Mascara, $11, Amazon
“Heroine Make Long And Curl Waterproof is a Japanese mascara, and it is seriously budge-proof,” says one enthusiastic Reddit user. “You need a special remover (I use Etude House mascara remover), and you can buy both on Amazon.” It's great for layering, curling, and seriously pumping up the volume, and people love it because it dries quickly and lasts hours without any flaking, clumping, or smudging. And if you want to follow all of that Redditor's recommendations, you should totally pick up Etude House Mascara Remover ($8), too.
10A Stick Foundation That Offers Tons Of Coverage
MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation, $43, Sephora
If you're in the market for lots of coverage, this long-wear stick foundation by MAKE UP FOR EVER — a favored brand among the pros — is the perfect product that delivers buildable coverage that looks incredible both in photos and in person.
11Full Coverage With A Natural, Long-Lasting Glow
Revlon Color Stay Whipped, $9, Amazon
“I'm SO glad I found this!” says Reddit user ladylala9 about her favorite long-lasting foundation. “I used to glisten in my t-zone and after using this, I noticed a HUGE difference in how shiny my face is! Don't get me wrong, I'm not completely matte, but it's more of a natural glow rather than a foundation shine.” Revlon Color Stay Whipped lasts for up to 24 hours with a creamy, bouncy foundation that won't smudge or settle into lines, and reviewers love that it offers loads of coverage without clogging pores.
12This Cream Blush That Blends Beautifully And Stays Put
MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Blush, $26, Sephora
“I love this formula and it lasts all day (which a lot of blushes don't),” says one reviewer about MAKEUP FOR EVER HD blush, especially when used alongside a setting powder. Because it's a cream, it's really lightweight and blendable, which makes for a natural looking finish while highlighting and contouring. It's so light, you can apply it with your fingers or your brushes, and it comes in a whopping 16 different shades to work well with any skin tone and undertone.
13This Liquid Foundation That Won't Break The Bank
L'Oreal Paris Infallible Long Lasting Make-Up Foundation, $11, Amazon
Considering it's one of America's most trusted brands, it's no surprise that L'Oreal Paris offers a liquid foundation that blends beautiful, stays on throughout the day, and comes at a super affordable price point.
14This Healthy Nail Polish That's Super Hard To Chip
Zoya Nail Polish, $10, Amazon
Zoya nail polish is my current obsession, and I'm in love with it for so many reasons. First, it doesn't have the usual toxins and harmful ingredients you'd usually find in nail polish. Second, it actually lasts. Each bright color goes on smooth and dries quickly for a hard coverage that takes a lot to chip — and I'm a guitar player and avid dish washer.
15This Luxurious Liquid Foundation For A Flawless Finish
Giorgio Armani Beauty Lasting Silk UV Foundation SPF 20, $62, Sephora
If you like a little sun protection with your coverage, pick a foundation with SPF like this silky option from luxury brand Giorgio Armani Beauty, a.k.a. one of the best-known names in the biz when it comes to base makeup that leaves your skin looking absolutely perfect.
16Soak Up All That Excess Oil And Shine
Etude House Zero Sebum Drying Powder, $8, Amazon
People with oily skin: this one's for you. Etude House Zero Sebum Drying Powder is a cult favorite among so many makeup wearers because of how simple and effective it is. It's a mineral powder with great ingredients that goes on clear to control oil and give your makeup a set, matte finish, all without looking cakey, white, or shiny -- even several hours later.
17A Loose Setting Powder With A Smooth Finish
Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder, $30, Sephora
Reddit user kazaanabanana says that KatVon D Lock-It setting powder is a great one for “long-lasting with full coverage and a matte finish.” It's a translucent powder that locks in your makeup for a flawless look all day long. The trick is the delicate mica powders, which is way more lightweight and won't cause that chalky flaking effect you get with other loose setting powders.
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