As the late Shu Uemura used to say, “beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin”, so it is important to ensure that your skin is in its tip-top condition before you even begin make-up application. And nothing helps make-up go on as smoothly as on clean skin, so be sure to rid your skin of dirt and grime. shu uemura’s Ultime8 Sublime Cleansing Oil, $65 (150 ml), is not only effective against makeup, sebum and grime, but is also fortified with skin-conditioning ingredients to improve skin condition at the same time.

Follow with a gentle cleansing foam like Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser, $33 (150 ml), and you’re all set.

Before you apply your makeup, remember to massage your favourite moisturiser into your skin as this is an essential step in helping make-up last all day. This is because a moisturiser usually contains a higher content of emollient ingredients compared to lotion or serums, which means it is able to lock moisture into the uppermost layer of skin. This keeps skin surface smooth and plump so make-up is able to glide on perfectly. For those with dry skin, try IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream Transforming Moisturizing Super Cream, $72 (60 ml), which has a ceramide complex to reinforce skin’s ability to hold moisture. 

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Acne-prone skin will benefit from Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Ultimate Hydro Gel Moisturiser, $60 (50 ml), which has a gel-cream texture and delivers moisture without any greasiness.

A thin layer of primer can make all the difference as it forms a barrier between the skin and makeup. This minimises the oxidation of makeup caused when it comes in contact with the sebum produced by the skin, and this in turn, helps make-up look fresh and radiant even hours after application. It can also help prevent make-up from sinking to fine lines and pores by filling them in to reduce their appearance. You should also select the most suitable primer for your skin type as those with anti-bacterial or oil-absorbing benefits work better for congestion-prone skin. Try Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment, $59 (30 ml), or opt for one with light-reflecting pigments and soft focus filters, like Erborian Glow Crème, $58 (30 ml), to brighten a dull complexion.

Now that your skin perfectly prepped, you wouldn’t need to pile on foundation. Instead, just apply foundation wherever needed, and just apply enough to even out skin tone, and never to mask dark spots or dark eye circles as we have concealers for that. We like Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Cushion Foundation, $80, which offers buildable to high coverage in a velvety matte finish. Best part? This foundation is oil-free and also infuses skin with hydration so makeup doesn’t sink into fine lines.

One of the favourite tricks that professional make-up artists count on, is to always set your foundation with loose powder. Swirl a large and fluffy brush in your loose powder and tap lightly to remove excess before sweeping it all over your face. It is important to make sure that you do not apply too much powder or your make-up might end up looking chalky. Try the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, $70, as it goes on invisibly and is suitable for all skin tones.

Finally, complete your base make-up by applying a light mist of foundation setting spray like Urban Decay’s All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, $48 (118 ml), Not only does it infuse skin with refreshing moisture to keep it cool and hydrated, it also locks in your make-up and forms a protective layer over it, repelling humidity for a fresh and radiant complexion that lasts for hours on end.

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To prevent lipstick from smudging and feathering, always line your lips with a lip liner. This forms a barrier around the lip edges to keep lipstick from bleeding beyond so that it remains precise all day long. We like NARS Precision Lip Pencil, $36, which has a creamy texture that glides onto lips smoothly without tugging. Plus, applying it all over your lips helps form a base layer so that any lip colour applied after, be it a liquid or cream, will have something to cling onto for long-lasting results.

The last thing you want to worry about when out and about during this festive season, is to worry about whether your eye shadow, eyeliner or mascara has faded or smudged. To prevent this, be sure to apply a thin layer of eye primer on your lids prior to eye make-up application. Too Faced’s Shadow Insurance Primer, $32, has a peach tint to even out any discolourations and unique binders to keep pigment in place to minimise creasing or fading. 

Follow with Chanel’s Stylo Ombre et Contour, a creamy eyeshadow formula which blends easily and ensures long-lasting wear. 

Tarte’s Kitten Liquid Eyeliner, $31, has a fine felt tip which is effortless to use and dispenses jet-black pigment for an intense effect.

Finally, coat lashes with Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara, $53, which lengthens and volumises short and stubby lashes while staying put throughout the day.

Don’t forget to slip some blotting paper into your purse for on-the-go touch ups. Tatcha’s Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers, $18, eliminates shine without affecting makeup. Just dab blotting sheet onto shine-prone areas like your forehead, nose and chin, and never rub or smear. 

Or you can try carrying a mattifying balm like Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer, $56, which mops up excess sebum while providing a soft-focus effect for a picture-perfect complexion.

Text: Joyce Cheo / Additional reporting: Arissa Ha 

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