As a makeup artist as well as enthusiast, I believe I am not the only person who wakes up in a good mood to dress up and look cute, only for my collar to take off half of my foundation as I pull my top over my face. Or the horror of having it smear on someone else’s shirt as you’re hugging them. It’s absolutely tragic to say the least. And unfortunately, even the best makeup products can still transfer if applied incorrectly.

The good news though, is all this can be prevented with a few tips and tricks that you can incorporate in your daily routine. From dressing up before wearing your makeup to putting a cloth over your head when dressing up after makeup, there is indeed a lot that can be done to prevent makeup transfer.  

With all that being said, I know you’re tired of the foundation-smeared tops, so enjoy these helpful tips because changing your wardrobe isn’t really necessary.

1. Always wear a primer

The way you prime a wall before painting is the same way you should prime your face before applying makeup. This is because a primer allows the product to stick on to it. If your skin is too dry or too oily then the makeup might just slide right off. Most people usually skip this this step because they “don’t see the need”. But if you want to save your cute white top, you’ll need to make primer your bestie.

2. Set your makeup

Setting both in terms of powder and setting spray is very crucial in preventing makeup transfer. Cream products such as foundations and concealers will most definitely transfer if not set with powder. A translucent powder is the best option to set all the cream products in place. A little spritz after the powder is even better as a setting spray not only helps to prevent makeup transfer but also melts all the powder in your face to prevent the ‘powdery’ look. That is quite a bonus don’t you think?

3.  Wear a robe while getting ready

Wearing something with a loose neck is the easiest way of preventing transfer as you can just slip in and out of them. Other alternatives to a robe would be a button-up shirt or a wide-necked top. The idea is to just wear something that is easy to remove and that you wouldn’t mind smudging some makeup on.

4. Blot your face

Blotting your face throughout the day can be quite helpful as our skin is exposed to a lot of things during the day. It is advisable to keep a blotting powder or blotting paper in your bag as a quick way of refreshing your makeup. Blotting your makeup helps absorb any oils on your skin without interfering with any coverage or pigment.  Another tip is to use a beauty sponge instead of a brush to prevent your makeup from moving around.

5. Use waterproof makeup

Applying waterproof formulas such as waterproof foundations will help ensure that your makeup doesn’t smudge easily throughout the day. They are made to be long-lasting, sweat-proof and transfer-proof. This is mostly for my fellow oily skin girls as these formulas are made to resist moisture and stay in place. You should always take into account your skin type when choosing foundations. A lightweight, matte foundation is better as it stays in place and doesn’t have a dewy finish. They also let the skin breathe therefore you’re less likely to get oily.