Trick #1. Prep Your Canvas

Prepping is as important as applying when it comes to your make up staying put. Too much moisture is one of the main reasons make up melts, but this doesn't mean you shouldn't nourish your skin before you apply! Opt for a serum over your moisturiser; serums are lightweight and absorb easier, meaning your make up is less likely to slide off. Clarins Tri-Intensive Brightening Serum not only gives you a great light base but also evens out skin tone and brightens for a glowy finish.
 
Dry or flaky skin doesn't take well to make up so ensure you are regularly exfoliating away any dead skin cells and use a super moisturising night cream to keep your skin hydrated. Try African Extracts Rooibos Gentle Exfoliating Face Mask and Eucerin DermoDensifyer Night Cream.
 
Related Article: Did You Know You Need to Switch Your Skincare for Summer?
 

Trick #2. Set Your Skin

There's nothing more embarrassing than hugging a friend and noticing your melting foundation has messed on their shirt. Avoid a melted mess by layering your products cleverly to lock in your liquid foundation. Start with a primer like Bionike Defence Color Primer to even out your skin's texture and make foundation application smoother and longer lasting.
 
Next apply your foundation (choose one that is specifically for long wear, like Almay's Truly Lasting Color or Yardley's Stayfast range) using a brush or a sponge and lock it in with a powder, either in your shade or a translucent powder (like Yardley Loose Powder in Absolutely Translucent which won't alter your colour at all). Lastly give your face a spritz of setting spray to ensure all your hard work doesn't budge. Try Essence Keep It Perfect! Make Up Fixing Spray.

Trick #3. Everlasting Eyebrows

Ensure the most expressive part of your face is kept groomed and on fleek all day. Eyebrow products take best to dry skin so begin by wiping away any excess oil from your brows. After you've filled them in with your brow pencil set the colour in with a sweep of powder, either a brow powder or even an eye shadow powder is the right shade.
 
The shape of your brows is as important as the colour so keep those hairs in place with a lick of gel.
 
Some of our fave eyebrow products are Essence Eyebrow Stylist Set, Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil Professional in Dark Brown and Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara.

Trick #4. All Day Eyelashes

We've all been there; the mascara you perfectly applied earlier mysteriously ending up under your eyes making you look tired and a mess. Waterproof or long-wear mascaras are your best bit for smudge-free lashes. Just remember that because they won't budge during the day they're also going to be a pain to remove so make sure you invest in a specialised make up remover like Clarins Instant Eye Make Up Remover to protect your sensitive eyes during make up removal.
 
The number one culprits for black smudges under your eyes are your lower lashes. During the warmer months either skip applying mascara on your lower lashes completely or use a waterproof mascara on them. A great option is Almay One Coat Multi-Benefit Waterproof Mascara.
 
Related Article: Do You Want Big, Bold & Beautiful Lashes? Here's How.

Trick #5. Shadow That Stays Put

The eyes are the part of your face that move the most, making them the first spot your make up is likely to go off course. You're familiar with face primer but did you know there’s a primer especially for keeping your eye make up in place? Prep your peepers with a slick of primer, which will hold shadow in place all day, ensure crease-free application, and make your colour pop! Try Essence I Love Stage Eye Shadow Base.
 
Choose powder eye shadow over creamy formulas (creamy eye shadow tends to collect in your creases, especially in warm weather) and opt for light and bright tones - they'll look less obvious than darker shades if they smudge or melt. Rock the latest pink shadow look with Palladio Matte Eye Shadow Duo in Soiree.

Trick #6. Keep It Cheeky

Once you've finished your face make up you're ready to add a dash of colour to your cheeks, but how does one keep that youthful blush going after a long day at work? Blush takes best to skin that is a bit dewy so use a liquid foundation before applying. Layer up your products; twice the product means twice the longevity. Try a gel or cream-based blush then keep that pigment in place by dabbing a powder blush of the same hue on top. The powder formula will keep the gel or cream from shifting and you'll be glowing all day.
 
Two great crème blush options are LA Girl Velvet Blush Stick in Dreamy and Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Plum Wine. Essence Mosaic Blush offers the best value for money with multiple shade options all in one so you can choose your preferred hue (or mix them all together for the perfect blend!). Try All You Need is Pink or Miss Floral Coral.

Trick #7. Long Wear Lips

With the right prep and products you can have kissable lips lasting from your morning coffee through to late night drinks. When applying your foundation cover your lips too. We know it looks weird, but this ultra-nude is not the finished look; it’s just setting your canvas!
 
Next create a 'reverse lip line' just around your lips in a pencil the same shade as your skin. This often forgotten step creates a barrier between skin and lip, creating a crisper finish on your lippie and preventing your colour from melting into your skin. Then use a lip-liner in the same or similar colour to your lipstick to not only line inside your lips but fill them too; this will also prevent bleeding and give you a chance to shape your lips how you like them. Try Essence Lip Liner in Lovely Frappucino or Be a Game Changer and Catrice Long Lasting Lip Pencil in Reach the Peach.
 
Apply your lipstick (using a lip brush for more control), blot gently with a tissue, dust translucent powder onto your lips (trust us, this will keep your colour there all day) and finally apply your lipstick again. Pick up on the red lipstick summer trend with Essence Long Lasting Lipstick in All You Need is Red or Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Backstage.
 
Related Article: 7 Lazy Girl Ways on How to Get the Most Awesome Lips

Want some more beauty tricks for summer? See Refinery 29's '6 Beauty Tips to Master this Summer' to help you look gorgeous despite the heat.