Well, there is a few steps that will help...
Skincare
Make sure you are fairly strict with your skin care every day and night as this will help keep control of any excess oil or dryness.
Also, make sure before applying your foundation, that you let your moisturiser sink in fully. If it isn't absorbed your makeup will just slide off. I tend to use a thinner moisturiser in the mornings to save time.
Primer
Applying primer will even out your skin and help keep your foundation in place.
My personal favourite is the MAC Prep and prime skin base. But other ones I like are the illamasqua satin primer and the Bourjois Flower Perfection Translucent Smoothing Primer.
Foundation
The mistake people often make with their foundation is applying too much in one big layer, however, the way to get it to stay is by applying a couple of thinner layers. This will also avoid the foundation caking up and looking flakey.
Also, depending on the foundation, buffing it into the skin using a dense buffing brush. My favourite is the real techniques one.
The only problem with a buffing brush is that it makes it easier to apply too much product.
Concealer
Concealer is the same as foundation really, applying thinner layers will make it stay on longer.
For blemishes, use a small pointed brush to apply the concealer directly on the blemish and around, then blend out the edges using a fluffy blending brush.
As for under the eyes, again, thin layers and blend with a fluffy brush to avoid cakey-ness
Blush
Using a cream blush first will help adhere your powder blush on. I use the Real Techniques stippling brush in circular motions to apply mine.
Alternatively, you could use a stain, then cream, then powder, or just stain and powder or just stain or whatever.
My favourite cheek stains or liquid blushers are the Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blushers. They are AMAZING.
Once you have applied your cream/liquid, set it with a powder blush, preferably one with a nice sheen to help make your skin glow...
I find that the same techniques work with bronzer and highlight too. Some cream bronzers are the Chanel "Soleil Tan du Chanel" (Bronze Universal) and the MAC cream contours. And highlighters, High Beam by benefit or MAC Cream Colour Base.
Powder
Obviously if you have really dry skin, you don't have to use powder, but you still can, just in moderation. Maybe just concentrate it on your "t-zone".
To be honest, I would only concentrate it on the bits you need such as over any concealer as that is the main bit that you want to stay.
Powders that I love are the Illamasqua loose powder, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder and MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural.
My final tip/must is that any cream needs setting with a powder if you want it to last all day/night!!!
Hope this helped!
Enjoy!
xxx
