Makeup That Lasts All Day: The Strategies You Need Based on Your Skin Type
Oily or dry skin? Here’s how to prep your face and apply makeup that lasts and looks great.
By Leira Aquino
No two skin types are exactly alike. And when it comes to makeup, that means there’s never a one-size-fits-all solution. The secret to a flawless, long-lasting look starts with knowing your skin and working with it, not against it.
To better understand how to do just that, Allure Philippines sat down with two seasoned pros: Albert Kurniawan, veteran makeup artist and founder of Teviant Beauty, and Mary Twinkle Bernardo, a go-to artist for beauty queens and pageant-ready glam. Both artists tailor their approach based on skin type, condition, and how the skin responds to different products and environmental factors.
Good chemistry is essential
“For me, makeup is [also] about science or chemical reactions, really,” Kurniawan says. “A lot of people see makeup as visual, but for me, as a makeup artist, it’s deeper than that.”
For Kurniawan, it’s about understanding how the texture of a product interacts with the texture of the skin, as well as how the skin’s natural chemistry reacts with the ingredients in the formulations. This scientific understanding, he emphasized, is a crucial part of his approach to makeup artistry.
“You really have to know your skin type and share what part of your face sweats, oil up or even gets dry the most when you have your makeup on,” says Bernardo. “This will help yourself or your makeup artist target which areas need more TLC.”
As a makeup artist, she emphasizes the importance of understanding her clients’ unique skin needs first. “I always ask my clients their skin type before applying anything,” she shares. “From there, I pick the right products that will best suit them.”
She also affirms that effective makeup prep hinges on understanding your skin, especially how it behaves under pressure. Where does it get oily? Which areas dry out faster? What tends to sweat the most? Knowing this helps you or your makeup artist target problem zones and apply products more strategically.
So, how do you tailor your makeup techniques and skin prep based on your skin type? Let’s take a deep dive into the unique needs of dry and oily skin, and discover the best ways to make your makeup last from morning to night.
How do I work around dry skin?
Not all dry skin is the same, Kurniawan says. Some dry patches are caused by exfoliation or acne treatments, and they can still produce oil. Others have combination skin. For dry, flaky areas, he warns against swiping motions.
Instead, press the product gently to avoid disturbing the skin. “I have to press lightly because you don’t want to move [anything on the] skin,” he says.
This means that when applying foundation or concealer, use a gentle pressing motion rather than swiping it across the face, especially in areas where dryness is more pronounced. The goal is to lock moisture in, not disturb the skin further.
To further support dry skin, it’s a good idea to layer hydrating products such as a nourishing moisturizer and a hydrating primer. These prep steps help lock in moisture, smooth out flakiness, and create a hydrated canvas.
How about oily skin?
On the other hand, oily skin often carries a misconception: Many believe that oily skin doesn’t need moisturizer. Kurniawan is quick to dispel this myth. “Oily skin [is] sometimes caused by the pH level—hindi sya balanced,” he explains. “So ibig sabihin, you have to rehydrate the skin. You have to feed the skin ulit to make sure that your skin is healthy again,” he adds. In short, oily skin also needs hydration.
His go-to technique for managing super oily or sweaty skin starts with a really clean face. He then uses a cold towel or ice to help make the pores look smaller. From there, he sticks to water-based formulas and avoids mixing them with anything oil-based. According to him, combining oil- and water-based products just doesn’t work; they don’t blend well and can cause the foundation to separate or move around.
He’s also careful with clients who both sweat a lot and have oily skin. “Have you ever noticed yung mga foundation, parang every time they apply or reapply, nagbubutas, or namu-move yung base niya?” he asks. “That’s because [of] excessive oil, and they’re using oil-based [formulas] also,” he explains.
In those cases, oil-based products can make things worse by sliding around or breaking apart the base. To keep things in place, he always uses water-based products for those with oily skin. That way, oil production is minimized, and the makeup has time to properly set.
A bonus tip from Kurniawan is to apply makeup in front of a fan to reduce sweating during application (a brilliant hack for hot mornings!)
Dewy, not greasy
No matter what your skin type is, there’s one thing everyone can agree on: Highlighter should enhance, not overwhelm. However, striking that fine line between “glow” and “grease” is tricky, especially when you’re under direct sunlight.
Bernardo’s tip? ”When you’re on the oilier side, as much as possible skip the highlighter and exchange [it] with a matte one,” she says. “Only place it where the sun usually hits your face first and be careful with the amount of product placed.”
Kurniawan agrees that strategic placement makes all the difference when it comes to using highlighters or illuminators. His technique avoids applying them to areas that are already naturally oily or reflective, like the center of the forehead and the apples of the cheeks. Instead, he highlights the sides of the upper brows and just beneath the outer corners of the eyes, above the cheekbones.
For the nose, rather than drawing a straight line down the bridge, which can make the skin look oily, he applies small touches of highlighter to the center of the bridge, the space between the eyes and the nose (diagonally), and the tip for a more controlled, luminous effect.
The science behind a flawless base
As both Kurniawan and Bernardo agree on: makeup isn’t just about slapping on products, it’s about understanding your skin and using the right techniques for your unique needs. Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, or a combination of both, the secret to flawless makeup lies in the preparation.
By tailoring your skin prep to your specific skin type, you can ensure that your makeup lasts longer, looks more natural, and stays in place all day. It’s all about balance: hydration for dry skin, oil control for oily skin, and a gentle touch to ensure that everything stays intact.
The next time you sit down to do your makeup, take a moment to assess your skin and give it the attention it deserves before reaching for that foundation. Your skin will thank you, and so will your makeup.