How to stop your makeup from smudging under masks

Larry Yeo, a makeup artist, reminds us that a face mask creates an invisible barrier between the skin and the mask. This occlusive effect traps the moist, hot air from our breath, talking, and sweat within the mask, which can lead to skin irritation, inflammation, and breakouts. Instead of attempting to do a 10-step K-beauty skin care routine using multiple serums, it is better to keep it simple.

Larry recommends moisturizing serums or toners that double as moisturizers. Melissa Yeo, makeup artist, recommends moisturisers with SPF to keep skin hydrated. Both Larry and Melissa agree that it is important to keep your skin hydrated, even when wearing masks. This is because even though it may be dry under the mask, your skin can still lose moisture which can cause it to become dry.

Additionally, friction from the mask can cause skin irritation. Applying a lightweight moisturizer can keep the skin moisturized and protect it from friction from the mask. “And don’t forget to massage your product in, especially on areas where there might be flakiness, to keep skin soft and supple,” says Larry.

TRY

Its unique Pro Retinal 11X active ingredient not only keeps early signs of ageing at bay, but has also been clinically proven to improve skin’s hydration and texture in 14 days. It has soothing actives like centella Asiatica to keep skin soft and comfortable even when a mask is on.

Watsons

Its famous Miracle Broth, which is made with kelp, soy, and other ingredients, helps strengthen and renew the skin. Plus, it keeps skin well-hydrated even with a lightweight fluid texture –perfect for mask-wear.

Available at Sephora & La Mer

This product contains antioxidant-rich vanilla plantifolia water, hyaluronic acids, and hyaluronic to hydrate and protect the skin. The best thing? It can be used on specific areas to enhance your skin’s glow, as a moisturizer, makeup primer, or as a shine-enhancer. It also contains fine, skin perfecting pearly particles that instantly give skin a radiant glow.

Available at Chanel Fragrance & Beauty

Even if you don’t have to wear masks, the most important thing you can do to keep your skin happy and healthy is to clean it. This means washing your face when you get home immediately, especially if you’ve spent all day outside with your mask on. Use a pH-balanced, noncomedogenic cleanser on your face to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria.

TRY

This gentle but effective cleanser is infused with salicylic Acid to remove dead skin cells, dirt, and excess sebum. Skin feels smooth and not tight.

Sephora

Multitasking cleanser that cleans and tones skin while lightly hydrating it. It can remove makeup and deep clean pores. It also contains meadow foam seed oil extract for skin conditioning.

Sephora

This gentle gel-to foam cleanser has a pH balance and contains Jeju king cherry extracts. The result is soft and supple skin.

Available at Innisfree

Maskne can be real and is caused by several things: constant rubbing against the skin, warm and moist air trapped under the mask creating an ideal environment to allow bacteria to thrive, and increased production of sebum.

So it’s common to find your skin feeling rough and pores clogged with regular and prolonged mask-wear. Melissa recommends that you use glycolic or salicylic acid-infused creams at night to keep your skin smooth. This will help remove dead skin cells from the skin and clear out any clogged pores.

TRY

It is made with 98percent natural origin actives such as Himalayan Bamboo charcoal and hibiscus flowers extract. It works while your sleep.
Clarify your skin to reveal a more radiant complexion. Apply two to three drops to dry, clean skin three days a week.

Available at The Body Shop

A lightweight serum infused with skin-clarifying acids– lactic, citric and salicylic –and botanicals from Australia to refine skin’s texture and tone, while decongesting pores.

Available at Rationale & Tangs

Both Melissa and Larry recommend lighter base makeup formulations. Instead of using heavy textures, try tinted moisturizers or serum-type foundations. In this instance, “lesser is better,” says Larry.

You can still get more coverage by switching to foundations with transfer-resistant formulations.

TRY

This easy-to use formula provides sheer to medium coverage. It also contains vitamin E to protect skin from free radical damage. It keeps oil at bay for up to 12 hours. Available in 13 colors

Available at Estee Lauder

This lightweight formula, clinically tested to last up 48 hours, is sweat-resistant and reduces the appearance of pores. In addition to protecting against UV and blue light, it’s also infused with Amorepacific’s electro-filter to protect against fine dust, pollution and fumes. It comes in seven colors.

Available at Laneige

An oil-free foundation enriched with skin-loving ingredients – like hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid and vitamin C –that not only delivers buildable coverage, but also works to visibly reduce dark spots over time. Every use makes skin feel soft and glowing. It comes in six exclusive colors from Asia.

Available at Clinique and Sephora

You want your lip colour to stay put without fading? According to Larry and Melissa, matte lipstick formulas are better than tinted lipstick formulas. What to avoid? Glossy or cream textures are not recommended as they can migrate under your mask.

Larry’s top pick would be lip stains. “The colour pigments stay on the skin, leaving a tint behind, so it doesn’t get onto your mask,” he adds.

And if you’re worried that your lip colour might smear under your mask and leave you looking like a deranged woman – not a good look if you’re on a date – Melissa suggests choosing a neutral lip colour instead of bold or dark hues because “even if it smudges under the mask, it would look less obvious”.

TRY

It gives you vibrant colour with a matte look in one stroke. The long-lasting formula contains hyaluronic Acid to keep lips soft for 24 hours. It also promises to be budgeproof for up eight hours. Available in 20 colors

Available at Sephora and Burberry Beauty

The ink can be applied like an ink and dried down to lock in colour for a smudge resistant, budgeproof finish. Available in 19 colours

Available at Nars

For a luscious pout, this product delivers a semi-matte colour that lasts for a long time in just one swipe. Infused with nourishing oils, it feels creamy and comfortable on the lips, but doesn’t bleed or migrate, making it the ideal companion for mask-wear. Available in 11 colours

Available at Yves Saint Laurent Beauty

Applying loose powder can help concealer and foundation last longer even if you are wearing masks. Larry suggests using a powder puff to gently press the powder across the face in a press-and-roll motion to secure the foundation. A large powder brush can be used to lightly dust the powder on the face.

TRY

It is a skincare and makeup combination that includes a unique diamond-inspired light-empowering enhancer. This enhancer gives skin a glowing finish. At the same time, the lasting control foundation addresses the major factors that reduce makeup longevity – dullness, shine and fading – ensuring that makeup is locked in. Available in two universal colors

Available at Cle de Peau Beaute and Sephora

A luminosity-boosting version of the brand’s iconic Translucent Loose Setting Powder, this weightless powder contains a multi-dimensional pearl blend to deliver a soft glow. It’s also enriched with silky botanical blurring powders and amino acid skin-conditioning powders that blur out imperfections and improve skin’s softness.

Available at Laura Mercier, Sephora

Combining a unique breathable makeup technology with Sulwhasoo’s skincare hybrid formula, this finishing powder creates a smooth veil over the skin to keep makeup in place.

Available at Sulwhasoo

If you don’t want smudging, budging or flaking, Melissa highly recommends spritzing your face as the final step of your makeup routine before putting on your mask.

Spritz the face from about 20cm away – you can choose to lightly mist in a zigzag manner starting from the forehead, or in circular motions. A second round of misting may be necessary. Focus on areas such your nose bridge and cheeks, as well as the jawline where your mask rests.

TRY

This OG setting spray is waterproof and contains a microfine mist that guarantees no fading, flaking or settling in fine lines for upto 16 hours. It also features a temperature control technology that lowers your skin temperature to prevent makeup melting.

Sephora

This multitasker, lightweight, is made with a mix of vitamins, minerals. It not just soothes and refreshes your skin, but also primes, sets, and protects your makeup. The best thing? It can also be used to enhance colour, refresh skin, and sheer out foundation. There are three options available: Shimmer, Matte, and Scents.

Available at M.A.C

The skin-smoothing powders keep makeup in place up to 16 hours. The applicator is easy to use and produces a fine, even mist every time.

Sephora

This story appeared in Her World’s January 2022 issue.