Ask Autumn: Ways to Make Your Look Last

Hello, my lovelies! Ask Autumn is a feature on Aisles of Beauty I use to answer any beauty related questions you email me. I thought this was a good one.

Today's Question: I apply makeup before school, foundation, concealer, eyeliner, etc. But at the end of the day, my makeup has disappeared, and I almost look washed out. What can I do to fix this?

-- Joy

My Answer: Makeup fades throughout the day as you're moving around, touching your face, and doing your daily activities. Two great ways to make your makeup last is by using primer or setting powder or spray. 

Primer comes in all shapes and sizes, but the concept is simple. Before your regular makeup routine, massage a pea size amount of primer onto your face, and it kind of acts like glue to keep the makeup on your face. Depending on what product you use, it can extend your look's life by several hours!

Setting powder is a bit different. In fact, you can read all about it in my previous Ask Autumn... Ask Autumn: What is Setting Powder? The basic idea is at the end of your makeup routine, rather than the beginning, you apply some setting powder to hold your makeup in place, and keep it from sweating off. Setting spray works in the same way, but rather than powder, it's–well, spray.

By combining primer and setting powder/spray, your makeup will definitely last all day. 

Got beauty questions you want answered? Email me: aislesofbeauty@gmail.com, I might answer it on the blog!

Stay beautiful!

Ask Autumn: What is Setting Powder?

Hello, my lovelies! Lately readers have been asking me a lot of beauty related questions, and I decided to answer them on the blog on the new Ask Autumn feature! When you ask a question, I'll answer it on Ask Autumn.

Today's Question: In a lot of tutorials I see, I'm told to put setting powder on my face at the end of the look. What is setting powder? What is it used for? How do I use it?

-- Raina

My Answer: Setting Powder, also known as finishing powder, is used to complete a makeup look. We use setting powder to make our makeup last longer, and reduce oiliness on the face. It absorbs sweat and oils on your face so the makeup doesn't come off, and that in turn takes away shine on your face, making it ideal for oily skin types. Setting powder provides an "airbrushed finish" and gives your skin a natural, matte glow. It softens the features on your face and reduces fine lines' appearances.

Setting powder comes in two forms: loose powder and compact powder. Loose powder comes in a little jar and is the kind of powder that spills. Use a large, fluffy makeup brush to apply this powder. Compact powder comes in a little case, and can't spill. You can use either a brush or a sponge/powderpuff to apply this powder.

I have dry combination skin, so I don't use setting powder to absorb oils on my face. I use it to give my skin an airbrushed finish. My favorite setting powder right now is the BareMinerals Tinted Mineral Veil. This fantastic loose powder (for $20) sets my makeup and softens my features. The slight tint prevents my face from looking ghostly, and a little goes a long way! I've been using it for months, it's money well spent!

Do you use setting powder? What brands do you like? Let me know in the comments or shoot me an email! And if you have questions you'd like to be answered in Ask Autumn, send them in to aislesofbeauty@gmail.com!

Stay beautiful!