We’ve all been there: spending an hour or more at the vanity, meticulously applying makeup and dousing our face in setting spray, only to have it all melt away the moment we step outside. It may sound dramatic, but the struggle to keep makeup intact all day—especially in our unpredictable tropical weather—is all too real.
But it’s not just the weather affecting your makeup’s staying power. Lifestyle, skin type, and even unconscious habits, like touching your face, can impact how well your makeup holds up. Makeup also wears and fades differently for everyone, affected by the interplay of all these factors.
Before diving into how to combat makeup meltdowns, let’s first explore the different ways your makeup can fade, the reasons behind it, and how to troubleshoot it.
Where Does It All Go?
Makeup doesn’t just fade—it shifts throughout the day. Recognizing the way your makeup wears over time can help you adjust your routine to extend the longevity of your look. Below are some common ways your makeup might change as you go about your day.
Pilling
This is when your makeup doesn’t properly set on your face, causing it to ball up into little pills or flakes—almost like your makeup is peeling off your skin.
Why it happens: Pilling usually happens as you apply your makeup, and it could be due to your makeup and skincare being incompatible with one another. For example, silicone-based foundations might not pair well with water-based moisturizers, leading to clumping. It can also happen if you’re layering too many products without giving them time to set before moving to the next step. But let’s say your makeup application is flawless—this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re safe from pilling. Other factors like the buildup of dead skin cells or constantly rubbing your face can cause pilling, too.
How to stop it: If you notice pilling as you apply your products, check the ingredients to make sure they’re compatible with one another. Oil, water, and silicone don’t usually mix well with one another, so be mindful of the first few ingredients in your makeup’s ingredient list. If you use a multi-step skincare routine, give each product time to absorb before moving on to the next. For dry, flaky skin, proper moisturizing and exfoliation are key. And most importantly—stop touching your face!
Caking
This is when your makeup looks thick, patchy, and textured, often resembling the way frosting might look if it’s piled too thick on a cake. This effect is usually more noticeable around folds and creases, like the sides of your nose or the corners of your mouth, where makeup tends to settle.
Why it happens: Like pilling, caking is often obvious as soon as you finish applying your makeup. It usually occurs when you’ve applied too many layers—foundation, concealer, and powder all piling up to create a thick layer that highlights texture. Makeup can also cake throughout the day due to environmental factors and your skin type. Heat, humidity, and natural oils can break down your makeup, causing them to clump together and make your skin appear more textured.
How to stop it: One key trick is to apply less makeup. You can use a damp sponge to gently stipple your products on, ensuring they go on in thin layers. Use a fluffy brush to apply powder sparingly and focus on areas that need it most, like your T-zone or chin if you’re prone to oiliness. A good setting spray can also help keep your makeup look fresh and prevent it from caking throughout the day.
Fading
This is most common with color cosmetics like blush and lip products, where the color gradually fades until it looks like you’re not wearing them at all.
Why it happens: When it comes to lip products, actions like eating and drinking can cause your makeup to transfer, making it fade. Meanwhile, blush tends to fade when the natural oils in your skin break down the pigment. Environmental factors like sweat, humidity, and rain can also cause your blush to wear off faster.
How to stop it: With lip products, transfer is almost inevitable unless you use a tint or stain that’s formulated to stay put. Glossy tints, for example, have an emollient layer that sits on top of your lips, which will eventually fade—but the stain underneath will last much longer. For blush, setting cream formulas with powder blush or even translucent powder will help make it last longer.
Creasing
This happens when makeup gathers in the natural folds of your skin, such as on your eyelids or around smile lines, creating visible lines or a patchy buildup of product.
Why it happens: Creasing usually happens when you’re applying too much product or not prepping your skin properly. Excess product can settle into lines, causing it to crease. Oils on your skin and eyelids can also break up products like concealer and eyeshadow, causing them to pool into the folds of your face.
How to stop it: When applying products like concealer and foundation, use thin layers, especially around smile lines and wrinkles, to avoid buildup. Smoothing and blurring primers can also help create a smoother base, preventing creasing. Eyeshadow often creases on hooded eyes or oily eyelids, so it’s important to use an eyeshadow primer before putting anything on your lids.
Fighting the Fade
Now that we’ve tackled the many ways your makeup can move and change, it’s time to take action. We talked to professional makeup artist Zyda Baaya-Ghielmetti for tried-and-tested tips on how to keep your look on point—for longer.
Tip #1: Prep is crucial
For Baaya-Ghielmetti, the key to preventing fading begins before you even apply makeup. “I think makeup longevity really relies on skin prep and layering the makeup,” she says. Building a skincare routine that’s tailored to your skin type can significantly extend your makeup’s wear. “I will never skip moisturizers because hydrated skin will allow the makeup to blend and sit well.”
Of course, different skin types have different needs. For oily skin, Baaya-Ghielmetti suggests using water- or gel-based skincare and avoiding cream products. “I like using water-based moisturizers like the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel (this is an OG in my kit!). I also like the Saborino 60-Second Facial Sheet Masks. I massage it in with a gua sha so the skin stays hydrated. When that dries down, I use my Dior Forever Velvet Veil Matte Primer before foundation.”
She adds, “I still use liquid products on oily skin because they tend to set better, whereas creams can often slide off.” Additionally, she prefers aerosol setting sprays like the One/Size On Til Dawn Setting Spray for oily skin. For touch-ups, she blots the face with tissue before tapping on powder. “I find that normal oil blotters remove makeup, making it look patchy.”
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
P1,239, Lazada
Saborino Morning Facial Sheet Mask
P895, Lazada
Dior Forever Velvet Matte Primer
P4,000, Rustan’s
One/Size On Til Dawn Setting Spray
P2,230, Sephora.ph
For dry skin, Baaya-Ghielmetti employs different techniques. “I like using Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentré as a face mask. I find that the finish of the makeup looks glowy and I know for sure that the skin stays hydrated for longer. I also like using facial oils and massaging them into the skin before primers.”
Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentré
P1,120, Lazada
Pure Culture Velvet Veil Moisturizing Matte Face Oil
P799, Lazada
Tip #2: Mind the weather
As a makeup artist, Baaya-Ghielmetti takes weather and humidity into account when applying makeup to her clients. For instance, when working with a bride for a beach wedding in hot, humid conditions, she uses facial antiperspirants before applying the base. “This helps control the sweat a lot more. I use the Carpe Face No Sweat,” she says. “I’ve also started using minimal to no powder on certain areas like the forehead or near the tear duct. I noticed sweat or tears can leave streaks on overly powdered areas, so instead, I use a matte setting compact like Mally Beauty Face Defender.”
Carpe Face No Sweat
P1,899, Lazada
BLK Cosmetics Universal Invisible Matte Gel Powder
P599, Lazada
Issy True Flex Gel Powder
P499, Lazada
Tip #3: Master the art of layering
Layering products right can significantly help your makeup stay intact, as the proper order “allows the pigment to stay on longer,” says Baaya-Ghielmetti. The key is to start with lightweight, liquid, or cream products first, then build up with powders to lock everything in.
“For example, once I apply cream bronzers, I will set it with powder bronzer and finish it off by lightly buffing pressed powder all over the face,” she says. “I also like sandwiching setting spray between my creams and powders.” This technique locks everything in extra nicely, improving makeup’s staying power even in hot and humid weather.
Tip #4: Try targeted techniques (and picks)
Baaya-Ghielmetti shares her personal hacks and most-used formulas for the different steps in your routine—for longer-lasting makeup looks.
Eyes: “I’ve recently been using So Natural Makeup Setting Multi Magic Sealer. It works well for sealing your eyeliner, mascara, and even eyebrows. Saw this little trick from one of the K-pop makeup artists that I’ve been following for a while.”
So Natural Makeup Setting Multi Magic Sealer
P842.35, YesStyle
Base: “Much like how I would use the Multi Magic Sealer, I also use the Inglot Duraline and mix it with my concealers and foundation. This allows the makeup to stay in place longer.”
Inglot Duraline
P1,295, Lazada
Cheeks: “Layering your creams, liquids, and powders will help them stay longer. Use liquid products that set matte and then set them with powder after. For example, I’ll use the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush and then set it with my NARS Powder Blush for a glowy finish or my Laura Mercier Blush Color Infusion if I want it to look matte.”
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
P1,600, Sephora.ph
NARS Powder Blush
P2,050, Lazada
Laura Mercier Blush Color Infusion
P2,200, Lazada
Lips: “I like to layer products, like using lip liners before applying your lippies. I find that matte liquid lipsticks and recent innovations like glossy liquid lipsticks have more staying power than bullet lipsticks. You can also use lip stains before applying your lipstick. I really like Natasha Moor Molten Matte Liquid Lipstick—the lipstick stays on even if I’ve eaten oily food.”
Natasha Moor Molten Matte Liquid Lipstick
P1,450, Sephora.ph
Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint
P740, Lazada
