The Real Reason Your Makeup Isn’t Lasting All Day

Spoiler alert: It’s not just the weather. It’s not your foundation. And it’s definitely not because you need a new setting spray. Your makeup isn’t lasting because your base isn’t being treated like a base. It's being treated like a final coat of paint…on a surface that's still wet.

Humidity, sweat, and extreme A/C are not going to help your makeup. Your skin’s oil production goes up, your pores are confused, and your makeup has to fight for its life. You need to work with your environment, not against it. This means layering strategically and giving each product time to do its job before piling on the next.

Let’s break it down…especially if you live somewhere hot like me. I live in Dubai…where your face can melt off before you’ve even got to your car parked in the basement car park.

It All Starts With Skin Prep

Here’s where most people go wrong: they don’t let skincare absorb.
If you’re layering serums, moisturiser, and SPF, but then immediately going in with foundation…of course it’s going to pill or slide off. The product hasn’t had a chance to actually do anything yet.

Give each layer 30-60 seconds to settle before applying the next. Yes, it feels slow. But it gives you long-wear payoff…so in reality, it’s worth the wait.

Also: use lightweight moisturisers if you’re going in with heavy foundation, and richer creams if your base is more sheer or dewy. It’s about balance.