How do can I get my makeup to stay?

A lot of people think makeup's ‘stay-ability’ comes down to what foundation or powder you use, however it goes down a lot deeper than that. Beautiful hydrated skin in the first place helps, (spoiler alert: drink a lot of water!) especially if you work in an air-conditioned environment or have hit the bar the night before (I am looking at your bridal parties!). However bearing that in mind, genes play a big part, and you most definitely need the right base that compliments your skin type before you lay down any sort of cosmetic product.

Before you even touch your face with a cosmetic product, you need to provide it with something to stick to – it is kind of like trying to build a house on a vacant paddock. First, you need to lay a foundation slab down before you can build up with the bricks and a roof, sure you could build up straight on the ground, however how durable would that house be without something stable to build on? Would it be able to withstand the weather? Metaphorically speaking, primer is your ‘cosmetic base slab’.

So what is a primer? Well, it is moisturiser’s cool cousin, that not only provides a barrier for your skin from the outside nasties, it also is a total legend because it locks in your makeup (someone get that guy a drink!). Also as a side note, Primers work best when you give it a few moments to soak in, so pop it on and busy yourself with something for a couple of minutes.

When the whole squad is on point! Source: @samaralouise Instagram

To give you a better idea (and save you a bunch of dough playing ‘primer roulette’), I thought I would open up my makeup kit and give you a look at the primers I use, some of them cult favourites, others mainstream products you can get in DJs. So without further ado, I introduce you to my top three big players that make up my primer squad:

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrate

This product is one of the king pins in my kit! Embryolisse can be used on normal to dry skin types and serves as both a nourishing moisturiser and primer, because of it’s ability to hydrate, it is a godsend in the colder months. Also it goes lovely under airbrush foundation.

 The circle of life!  Source: @samaralouise Instagram

Melli Cosmetics – Velvet  

I first got onto this product when Embarrassing Bodies was in town and we were filming on the beach on the Gold Coast, I needed a primer that was high quality, light weight that would help seal pores and fight shine and that was when a colleague introduced me to Melli. I flipping love this product! This lightweight mousse reduces pores, fine lines and skin blemishes, even ones that are crusting, to give a beautiful smooth surface.

Melli is a touch more expensive, however a little goes a long way, also I do not mind paying for quality. I recommend this for more mature skin, oily skin and I even use it on myself and clients that are preparing for a long (read: sweaty!) day using the product on your T-Zone to counter any shine.

MAC Stobe Cream

Glow baby glow! This product is stunning on cheek bones (hell on anywhere!) you want a bit of extra shine. I team it up with a Becca Cosmetics Illuminator (my favie right now is Champagne Pop!) and you are in shine heaven! Perfect to create perfect, dewy skin.

Glow power couple! Becca Cosmetics & MAC Strobe! Source: @samaralouise Instagram