How To Set Your Makeup According To Professionals

How To Set Your Makeup According To Professionals

Here are some tips for long-lasting makeup.

Raphael Lovaski via Unsplash

I love watching Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic, work his magic. If he’s good enough to do the makeup of quite possibly the most famous woman in the world right now, he’s good enough for me. Say what you want about Kimmy, but her makeup is always flawless.


We all yearn for the red carpet makeup airbrushed look. When I sit down to do my makeup, I have dreams of smooth skin; glowing in the right places, matte in the others. Not a blemish in sight – just vibes.

However, I was forced to swallow the pill that achieving the beauty filter look is borderline impossible without already perfect skin. If I’m breaking out, I will notice the raised bumps under my makeup… no matter how well my full-coverage foundation works.

Recently, I’ve noticed more of an emphasis on setting powders. People go crazy over translucent powders that take away their shine and pores altogether. I mean, don’t we all?

@makeupbymario PART 2 of my tutorial with the stunning @maurahiggins ✨ #MakeupByMario ♬ Love Of My Life – Metrow Ar

When I’m going out on the weekends, I am drenching my face in setting spray. And yet, I somehow seem to lose my entire face of makeup by the end of the night. Mascara smears, foundation rubbed onto clothing and on the back of my hand, and just forget about my eyeshadow look.

No matter how much of the Charlotte Tilbury Setting Spray I douse on my face, I promptly sweat it all off after an hour at the bars. And so, I turn to ye, old faithful: TikTok. I need this problem fixed STAT.

In an effort to fully set my makeup, I compiled a few tips and tricks that the best of the best use. Here’s what I found:

@rubydawoo Replying to @malrdgz okay y’all as promised here are the two primers I use everyday Religiously 🥰🥰🥰🥰 @sephora #fyp #foryou #rubywoo #milk #silkcanvas #makeup #skincare #primer #beautytips #tips #tatcha ♬ original sound – RubyDaWoo

Prep Your Skin

One of the best things you can do to achieve a fresh-looking face of makeup is to have a moisturized base. By doing your skincare routine 10 minutes before your makeup, your skin will hold your foundation longer while giving you a glowing complexion.

@rubydawoo Replying to @malrdgz okay y’all as promised here are the two primers I use everyday Religiously 🥰🥰🥰🥰 @sephora #fyp #foryou #rubywoo #milk #silkcanvas #makeup #skincare #primer #beautytips #tips #tatcha ♬ original sound – RubyDaWoo

I like to kill two birds with one stone by using a primer with skincare ingredients already incorporated. The Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer improves skin texture and tone, and reduces the appearance of pores, wrinkles, and fine lines.

Another cult classic is the Bobbi Brown Face Base Moisturizer that contains vitamins to plump and hydrate your skin.

The Product Recs

You don’t need many products to set your face red-carpet-style. In fact, there are really four simple makeup items: setting spray, setting powder, a beauty sponge, and a powder puff.

Setting Sprays:
Setting Powders:

Set Like A Pro

Once you apply your foundation and cream products like bronzer, blush, and highlighter, make sure everything is fully blended out. This includes under your eyes, nose, and mouth where concealers can cake and crease. The best method is to use a fully damp beauty blender.

Then, spray a healthy amount of setting spray on your face. You’re looking for the ‘light-mist-of-rain-just-hit-your-face’ vibe. After it dries, pat the excess spray in with a beauty blender, including a light swipe under the eyes to mitigate creasing.

@xthuyle How to set your makeup in this HEATWAVE! #ukheatwave #makeuphacks #makeuptutorial #makeup #FilmTeyvatIslands #budgeproofmakeup #heatproofmakeup #longwearmakeup ♬ original sound – XTHUYLE

After, take a powder puff and coat it in your setting powder. Tap the excess powder on the back of your hand to evenly distribute the powder onto the puff. Press and tap the puff onto your under eyes and on areas that look a bit greasy.

This process is bound to give your face that airbrushed look that’s guaranteed to stay longer than usual. Finish your makeup by doing your eyes and lips and adding powder blush or highlight if you please. Then, one final spritz and you’re ready!

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