Beauty, Fashion & Beauty

How to ensure your makeup goes the distance at the races according to a makeup artist

4th November, 2019

Michael Brown is my go-to makeup artist for many an event. He’s worked with me on everything from Fashion Week to the races and many a launch, and one of the great things I’ve learned from him is how to ensure makeup lasts. For long days trackside, you want to take the proper steps to keep your face looking as fresh as it did when you walked out the door. There’s nothing worse than being all dolled up, only for your makeup to let you down because your eye shadow’s all but disappeared or your T-Zone is looking shiny. But there’s an art to makeup longevity and here’s how to do it, with tips from the man himself.

Prep your skin

As with most things, the more you prep the better the result. Michael says, “Trackside beauty needs to go the distance and it all comes down to good skin prep, so your makeup has that perfect bond.”

The combination of a long day and standing in the harsh sunlight can mean that your makeup is very visible and that means you need to ensure that you hydrate your skin as much as possible for a nice finish. To do this Michael says, “I recommend a sheet mask before you apply foundation/concealer. Sheet masks hug the skin, trapping all the moisture and goodness so that it can be absorbed correctly.” The more hydrated your skin is the better your makeup will look.

Have the right finish

All good makeup needs to look polished and if your skin has a tendency to go shiny Michael suggests using “a mattifying or blurring primer on your T-Zone to minimise shine coming through your makeup as the day goes on.”

It’s also important to ‘set’ your makeup. “[Use a] translucent powder and dab into shine prone areas with a Beauty Blender — this can really lock powder to skin. But you don’t want to be over powdering all day, as this can look dry, so invest in an appropriate primer to match your skin’s habits, such as going shiny when wearing makeup.”

Blend, blend, blend

Adopt the right technique when applying your eye makeup and you’ll find that most of the time it won’t budge. “Eye makeup generally stays put, once it’s applied, if its really pressed or blended correctly,” says Michael. “Try smudging and really blending product into eye skin, so there is a bond, rather than just dusting on top where it can easily fade.”

Dab your lipstick

A beautiful pout is perfect for a day at the races and Michael suggests opting for a long lasting lipstick which will stay in place throughout the day. “For those that prefer comfort over long wear (as they can feel dry) try dabbing your lipstick with your fingertip for application. This will bond and drain the pigment, so it’s actually in the lip, not sitting on top,” says Michael.

Carry concealer

What’s the number one thing every girl should have in her bag at the races? “Concealer! You never know when you might need a little brighten around the nose, mouth or under the eye, it can be that instant fresh effect we all sometimes need,” says Michael.

So if you want your makeup to stay Insta-worthy throughout the day, it’s worth investing the time and effort to ensure that you’ve locked your look in with the right prep. A few extra minutes spent in front of the mirror will avoid any makeup dramas and keep you looking fresh faced whilst trackside.

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