10 Top Tips For NYE Makeup That Will Last All Night

New Year’s Eve, the best night of the year (most of the time, anyway). We all love an excuse to pull out all the stops and dress to impress, but it can all go to waste when the clock strikes 12 and the majority of your makeup has slipped off into the abyss. To make sure your NYE look lasts, we’ve put together the 10 makeup saving tips and the best online beauty products so your NYE makeup can last as long as you do. Just remember to be wary of the punch or else that might not be very long….

Tip 1: Before you even think about reaching for your makeup bag, there’s some ground work we need to do first. Makeup lasts longer when it is evenly applied and makeup is most evenly applied to smooth surfaces. Using an exfoliator at least twice a week helps to reduce dead cell building up on the skin leaving you with a smooth complexion that’s the perfect canvas for long lasting makeup. A great product on the market is this Refining Facial Polisher from Omorovicza £65, which exfoliates skin to remove dead cells, reduce imperfections and purify pores.

Tip 2: Now that your face is buffed to perfection, you need to lock in some moisture. You may sometimes notice after a few hours of wearing makeup that it can run off and smudge, which is often the result of excess sebum production. The skin produces too much sebum when it is dry in an attempt to keep skin hydrated, so by using an effective moisturiser and reducing the level of sebum, you’ll protect your skin and your makeup. However, you’ll want to avoid using a heavy moisturiser just before applying makeup as these often leave a residue which can also result in melting makeup. A light option is this Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser from Simple £1.49, which is quickly absorbed leaving skin nourished and healthy. If you’re not sure which skin care products are suitable for you, why not try taking our quick and free online questionnaire to gain access to your beauty matches.

Tip 3: Now we’re ready to start applying makeup, but what to start with first? The perfect base layer for a look that will last all night is a quality primer. Primers prevent makeup sliding off of even oily skin so when applying start with the areas most prone to excess oil, most commonly the T zone. Primer should always be applied before your foundation and great product we love is this Multi Protect Primer SPF30 from NARS £26. This multi-tasking primer works with all skin types to protect and prime the skin for a makeup-ready finish.

Tip 4: When applying makeup to the eyes it can be tempting to douse our lids and lowers in layers of concealer to mask those dark circles and redness. However this is a very common cause of eye makeup smudging and you’ll regret it come midnight when you’re seeing in 2016 sporting some impressive panda eyes. Instead trying using a specialised primer for eyes such as this Couture Eye Primer from Yves Saint Laurent £21.15. This long-lasting non-greasy primer unifies the colour of the eyelids so you’re left with a beautiful smooth canvas on which to work your NYE makeup magic.

Tip 5: Use the right products! If you’re using the wrong colour foundation for your skin, it won’t blend well and you’ll feel inclined to reapply throughout the day. Similarly if you’re using the wrong mascara it can be irritating, resulting in you rubbing your eyes and that 20 minute eye shadow masterpiece will have all been for nothing. It’s extremely important to choose the correct products for your skin so you can feel comfortable and look amazing. If you’re not sure which products are right for you, we can help. Just take our quick and free online questionnaire to create your bespoke beauty profile and relax while we fetch all the perfect products for you. Simple.

Tip 6: Opting for “water-proof” or “long lasting” products is an easy way to maintain your makeup all night, they do exactly what they say on the tin! Perfect if you’re prone to getting a little emotional after that third glass of wine, or having a tendency to dance to the point of profuse sweating (or both, hopefully not at the same time...) There are so many great waterproof products to choose from, but a staple item for any makeup bag is a good waterproof mascara like this 2000 Calorie Waterproof Mascara from Max Factor £7.99. You’ll be free to cry, sweat and dance in the rain, safe in the knowledge that your makeup will keep it together even if you don’t.

Tip 7: Layer up for gorgeous lip colour that won’t fade all night. If you’re a fan of bold lipstick, or just want a neutral look that doesn’t disappear after your first cocktail, start off by framing your lips with a pencil lip liner such as this Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Rose from Charlotte Tilbury £16. Then, using an applicator brush apply several smooth coats of your chosen lipstick, a colour we can’t get enough of is this Pure Colour Crystal Lipstick from Estee Lauder £22. Then finish off with a final outline with your chosen lip liner and voila! Kissable gorgeous lips which won’t desert you before midnight. For a tried & tested review of some of the best, long-lasting lipsticks on the market, click here.

Tip 8: You can seal foundation and concealer by applying a light dusting of powder over your face, however it’s very important not to overdo it. Excess powder can dry out the skin resulting in your pores producing more oil and your makeup sliding off. If you suffer with dry skin, try just applying the powder to the areas most like to shine, predominantly the T zone. If you’re more prone to oily skin, you can try carrying blotting paper in your handbag for tactical dabs that will save you needing to apply anymore makeup. A great powder for reducing your T zone glow is this Shine Control Setting Powder from Laura Mercier £26. The velvety pressed powder visibly reduces shine leaving you with a natural and clear complexion.

Tip 9: Using a setting spray is the final step to party proofing your makeup. Like hairspray for the face, setting spray locks down your makeup without leaving a residue on the skin. This De-slick Makeup Setting Spray from Urban Decay £9 is a great example as this product mists on weightlessly, preventing makeup meltdown by controlling the balance of the skin and giving it a beautiful matte finish.

Tip 10: The final and most important tip is to STOP TOUCHING YOUR FACE. We all do it when you’re out and about, whether it’s rubbing tired eyes or resting your head in your hands touching your face will always mess up your makeup. Furthermore, the gross truth is that no matter how much you wash your hands they are a source for bacteria and all kinds of nasties, so for the sake of your makeup and your skin: DO. NOT. TOUCH.

You’ll be amazed how long your makeup can last if you follow these simple rules. Let 3am panda eyes be a thing of the past and lock down your look so you can look fabulous when it comes to the midnight kiss this New Year’s Eve. From all of us at My Beauty Matches, we hope you have a New Year’s Eve that’s as fabulous as you look!

If you’re in need of a new primer to lock down your look, you can shop our range here.

In need of a smooth complexion? Explore our range of exfoliators here.

Click here to read our tried & tested review of long lasting colour lipsticks.

Treat your skin to some TLC and shop our moisturiser range here.

Party-proof your eyelashes with this waterproof mascara from Max Factor.

If you’re looking for the perfect powder, explore our range here.

Finish off your look with this makeup saving spray from Urban Decay.

Not sure which beauty products are right for you? Try taking our quick and free online questionnaire to gain access to the perfect products.