How to fix disappearing make up
Q. I am at my wits end because, whatever products I use, my foundation disappears within a couple of hours. Can you suggest anything please? A. If it’s any comfort, this is quite a common problem. It seems to happen more to women as they get older (hot flushes definitely don't help) but also to anyone, including teens, who tend to warm up during the day and/or have oily skin.
We asked London-based make-up artist Jenny Jordan (jennyjordan.com), who has been at the top of her profession for over two decades, for her tips.
As a general tip, Jenny Jordan recommends keeping products in the fridge so they are cool when you put them on. And by the same token wash your face with cool to warm rather than hot water so your skin is cool when you apply foundation.
After washing your face in the morning and patting dry, Jenny recommends applying a light, non-greasy moisturiser followed by a primer to smooth and prep the surface of the skin. ‘Always look for a primer that contains mica, which gives it that lovely silky serum feeling,’ she suggests.
Jenny recommends ultra-calming Dermalogica Barrier Repair, which contains mica and actually does both jobs (although Dermalogica don't claim it as a primer/£36.90 for 30 ml.
For foundation, Jenny would use Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10/£31, which claims to last 15 hours and comes in a huge range of shades. Use a sponge as applying foundation with your fingers would warm it up even before it got to your skin. ‘Also a sponge blends nicely. So apply light layers and build up to the coverage you want, especially on areas that tend to be oilier or warmer (red or pink) later in the day.’
Finally, whisk on setting powder with a big brush. Jenny’s favourite brand is Delilah (delilahcosmetics.com), a 'rising star' British boutique brand. Delilah Pure Touch Micro-fine Loose Powder/£38, sets foundation and mattifies skin but is ‘so fine that it never looks like a cakey finish or changes the colour or texture of your skin’.
Finally, Jenny’s teen daughter recommends NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray – Matte Finish/Long Lasting/£7, which she tells her mother survives a bout of weeping at a sad movie without budging.