How to make your foundation last (and last and last…)

As the man responsible for the Duchess of Sussex’s flawless wedding-day makeup, New Yorker Daniel Martin is an expert at creating beautiful skin that looks healthy, glowing and, most importantly, natural. It’s the kind of makeup finish we all want; the kind that can easily see you through a busy day and into a lively evening – and still look good. Here’s how to create it…

“If you want your makeup to last a long time, you must match a water-based moisturizer with a water-based foundation,” says Martin. “When you mix oil-based products with water-based ones, your makeup will dissipate over time.” Martin even suggests mixing some of your skincare directly into your foundation to create a sheer base or tinted moisturizer that will “allow your skin to shine though”.

“I like skin to look like skin; if you cake makeup on, that’s the only thing that people will notice. You want people to notice you,” says Martin. If your skin is exceptionally oily, you may prefer a light all-over dusting of powder, but don’t use it everywhere if you don’t really have to. “I do use powder, but really sparingly,” explains Martin. “If it’s needed, I will apply powder just on the T-zone to mattify, and I use a small eyeshadow brush to apply it so I can control where it goes.”

“I like to use my hands to apply makeup – I promise you, once you do, you will notice the difference straight away,” Martin says. He swears by first giving skin a good massage, over the top of skincare: “It’s the first step and a vital one because it prepares the surface for makeup.” As for foundation, “I press it into the skin with my hands,” he says. “I start at the center of the face, which is where most people tend to have some discoloration, and then I blend out. You don’t need a brush yet. This is best done by hand because it creates the best finish.”

Only once the foundation has been applied does Martin like to use a brush: “I like to use an artist’s brush designed for oil paints for a final blend.” Using small brushes will allow you to be precise, which is important when you’re trying to create a believably flawless finish that will last long into the night. “Work in layers,” he says. “Apply a tiny amount of product, blend it in and finish with a small brush. If you need a little more, you can add another layer on top. When it comes to long-lasting makeup, it’s always better to build up coverage little by little in very fine layers because this keeps everything in place for longer.”