Despite our access to top-notch products and expert advice, beauty editors are no strangers to the horrors of foundation transfer. Whether it’s a friendly embrace that leaves a pigmented blotch on your bestie’s white tee, a collar turning nude from hours rubbing up against your jawline, or a foundation-stained mask no amount of Shout can seem to fully clean, the dreaded makeup transfer is frustrating and discouraging—even a little embarrassing at times.
Luckily, experts say that keeping your foundation from transferring isn’t as hard as you might think—it’s just about having the right tools and using the right technique. And a truly transfer-proof makeup look starts before you even apply your foundation. Save yourself from an extra load of laundry and keep your white tees makeup-free with these expert tips on preventing foundation from transferring and keeping your look in place all day long.
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Use a Primer First
Once you’ve prepped with skincare (and applied SPF if it’s daytime), but before you apply foundation, we suggest using a primer to create a smooth base that keeps makeup in place. In addition to enhancing makeup longevity, primers can address a number of problems and imperfections—smoothing out pores, managing oily skin, boosting hydration, protecting against daily pollutants, and so on. Opt for a formula that targets your personal concerns, whatever they might be.
If you’re not sure what exactly to look for, try one of our universal favorites. E.L.F’s Power Grip Primer hydrates and smoothes skin, while the tacky texture helps grip your makeup for long-lasting, all-day wear. For a bronze-y glow, we love Danessa Myricks Beauty’s Yummy Skin Glow Serum. It delivers a mega-boost of long-lasting hydration that leaves skin looking dewy and plump, while the radiant tint gives a lit-from-within-glow. Meanwhile, Pat McGrath’s Sublime Perfection Hydrating Primer transforms skin into a silky, soft-blurred canvas that keeps makeup looking fresh for hours on end. We’re also big fans of Dior’s BACKSTAGE Face & Body Primer thanks to its lightweight formula that works on all skin tones and types to blur imperfections and leaves skin looking plump. Plus, it’s used at all Dior runway shows, so you know the primer is seriously long-lasting.
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Opt for a Long-Wearing Formula
In general, super luminous, oily foundations can be difficult to set and are likely to transfer. Instead, opt for long-wear formulas, which tend to have less oils and more ingredients that stick to the skin than their counterparts. These long-wearing foundations adhere to the skin and keep makeup intact for hours on end, which decreases the likelihood of any transferring or breaking down.
Almost every well-established artistry brand has a long-wearing foundation formula among their offerings. The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation is a great full-coverage pick thanks to its sweat-proof, humidity-proof, waterproof, and transfer-resistant formula For medium coverage, try the Make Up Forever HD Skin Undetectable Longwear Foundation, which gives a natural, skin-like finish that the brand claims lasts for up to 24 hours.
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Apply Makeup in the Correct Order
It might sound obvious, but make sure to apply your makeup in the correct order to optimize staying power. Try not to apply any liquids or creams over powders (unless instructions specifically say to do so), and be sure to set your makeup at the very end to ensure that it doesn’t melt or move. This will also help keep makeup from pilling off, which can ultimately transfer onto any fabric that comes in contact with the skin.
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Set Foundation With Powder
Setting makeup is essential to create long-lasting, transfer-proof results. Loose powder provides extended wear by absorbing oil over the course of the day and keeping makeup in place. Meanwhile, pressed powder is great for spot setting and on-the-go reapplication, as well as adding extra coverage as they tend to come in a range of skin tones. Both help set makeup and keep transferring to minimum, it’s simply up to personal preference.
For loose powder, Laura Mercier’s iconic Translucent Setting Powder locks in makeup without adding texture or weight and absorbs oil to keep product from slipping around. If you prefer pressed powder, we love the Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Custom Finish Powder Foundation, which features proprietary technology that synchronizes with the skin and helps resist heat, humidity, oil, and motion for up to 24 hours.
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The Press-and-Roll Technique
Grab a tissue and, using a very light touch, press it onto the skin, using a rolling motion to gently move across the face. This will help absorb any excess makeup left on the surface that could potentially transfer onto your clothing.
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Use a Setting Spray
Once you’ve finished your makeup, apply a few spritzes of setting spray to lock in your look and keep product from smudging and transferring. Alternatively, you can also spray it after each level of makeup for maximum staying power. The Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray features an award-winning (and editor-approved) formula that promises transfer-resistant, smudge-proof makeup for up to 16 hours. We also like the Morphe Continuous Prep & Set Mist+, which features skin-loving ingredients to hydrate and nourish the skin while increasing the wear of foundation for up to 8 hours. And for long summer days, consider an SPF-infused formula like Supergoop’s (Re)Setting Refreshing Mist. Pro tip: Keep a mini-sized setting spray in your purse for on-the-go reapplication.
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Spray Clothing With Hairspray
TikTok is rife with tips and tricks, and this is one of our favorites. Simply spray your clothing with hairspray (whatever you have lying around works) before getting dressed to help avoid any dreaded makeup transferring. This is especially helpful for white collars and sleeves.
