Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray (€28.00 for 100ml at Debenhams) is revelatory for "out out" make-up. A quick mist keeps makeup from sliding down your face after a long, sweaty night on the tiles (or so I hear). I wouldn't wear it during the day as it was slightly drying on my already dry skin but it you are looking for a party-proof spray, you've found it.
I wore Mac's Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour (€22 Brown Thomas) in a deep red for a full 16 hours with only one top up. The day included a flight, two meals and carrying around a toddler. The longevity is seriously impressive, and so is the pigment. Despite being matte, it is not drying and it comes in lots of colours.
I have more than one friend that swears by Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Make-up (€37 Boots). This is heavy-duty stuff, so you only need one application, but it remains fresh looking after a long day, and most impressively it holds up against heat and humidity (it's all a friend who works in a swimming pool will wear).
The natural oils your skin produces throughout the day are the main reason your make-up "slides" off your face. Sealing your makeup with a powder, especially in the oily T-zone, will help it last longer. A touch of Chanel's Poudre Universelle Compact (€42 Brown Thomas)on your chin and around your nose mattifies and refines the skin's texture, while keeping makeup in place.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (€34 Boots) gives a soft focus finish, is a great base for make-up and has a silky, but not oily texture. They have also released a range of alternate versions to suit different skin types, so there will be one to suit you, whatever your concern.
Dominique Loves
Sleek Idivine Nordic Skies Palette (€10.99 pharmacies nationwide) This is like the little palette that could. Not only is it friendly on the wallet, it is seriously pigmented and seems to last much longer on my lids than a lot of the more expensive palettes out there.
