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Photo: Jay Yuno/Getty ImagesEven with access to high-quality products and professional advice, beauty editors are all too familiar with the nightmare of foundation transfer. From a friendly hug that leaves a smudge on your friend’s white shirt, to a collar stained by hours of contact with your jawline, or even a foundation-covered mask that no detergent seems to completely remove, makeup transfer can be frustrating, discouraging, and sometimes a little embarrassing.
Fortunately, experts agree that preventing foundation from transferring isn’t as difficult as it may seem—it’s all about having the proper tools and applying the right technique. Achieving a truly transfer-proof makeup look begins even before applying your foundation. Save your favorite white tees from makeup stains and keep your look flawless all day long with these expert-approved tips on avoiding foundation transfer.
1. Always Start with a Primer
After prepping your skin with skincare and applying SPF (if it's daytime), we recommend using a primer before foundation to create a smooth base that helps your makeup stay in place. Primers not only extend the wear of your makeup but also address various concerns such as minimizing pores, controlling oil, boosting hydration, and protecting against environmental pollutants. Choose a primer that meets your specific needs.
If you're unsure where to start, here are some of our top picks. E.L.F’s Power Grip Primer hydrates and smooths the skin, while its tacky texture helps makeup adhere for all-day wear. For a sun-kissed glow, try Danessa Myricks Beauty’s Yummy Skin Glow Serum, which provides long-lasting hydration and leaves the skin dewy and plump with a radiant tint. Pat McGrath’s Sublime Perfection Hydrating Primer transforms skin into a soft, blurred canvas, keeping makeup looking fresh throughout the day. Dior’s BACKSTAGE Face & Body Primer is another favorite, with a lightweight formula that works for all skin tones and types, blurring imperfections and giving skin a plump appearance. Plus, it's used at Dior runway shows, so it’s proven to last.
2. Choose a Long-Wearing Formula
Oily, luminous foundations can be tricky to set and are more likely to transfer. Instead, go for long-wear formulas that have less oil and more ingredients designed to stick to your skin. These foundations stay in place for hours, reducing the chance of transferring or breaking down.
Most well-known makeup brands offer long-wearing foundation options. Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation is a full-coverage choice with a sweat-proof, humidity-proof, waterproof, and transfer-resistant formula. For medium coverage, try Make Up Forever’s HD Skin Undetectable Longwear Foundation, which delivers a natural, skin-like finish and lasts up to 24 hours.
3. Apply Makeup in the Right Order
Although it may seem straightforward, applying makeup in the correct sequence is essential for maximizing its staying power. Avoid layering liquids or creams over powders unless the instructions specifically indicate to do so. Be sure to set your makeup at the end to prevent it from melting or shifting. This also helps prevent makeup from pilling, which could transfer onto fabric in contact with your skin.
4. Set Your Foundation With Powder
Setting your makeup is key for achieving long-lasting, transfer-resistant results. Loose powder is excellent for prolonged wear, absorbing oil throughout the day to keep your makeup intact. Pressed powder, on the other hand, is ideal for spot setting and reapplication, while providing extra coverage and often coming in a variety of skin tones. Both options help minimize makeup transfer, so the choice is yours.
For loose powder, Laura Mercier’s famous Translucent Setting Powder secures makeup without adding bulk or texture, while absorbing excess oil to prevent your makeup from sliding off. For pressed powder, we recommend Shiseido’s Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Custom Finish Powder Foundation, which utilizes innovative technology to adapt to your skin, helping it resist heat, humidity, oil, and motion for up to 24 hours.
5. The Press-and-Roll Method
Take a tissue and, with a gentle touch, press it against your skin, using a rolling motion to lightly glide it across your face. This technique helps absorb any excess makeup left on the surface that might otherwise transfer to your clothes.
6. Use a Setting Spray
After finishing your makeup, mist a few spritzes of setting spray to lock in your look and prevent smudging and transferring. Alternatively, you can apply it after each makeup step for maximum durability. Urban Decay’s All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray is a top pick, offering transfer-proof, smudge-resistant makeup for up to 16 hours. We also love the Morphe Continuous Prep & Set Mist+, which hydrates and nourishes the skin while extending your foundation’s wear for up to 8 hours. For those long summer days, try an SPF-infused option like Supergoop’s (Re)Setting Refreshing Mist. Tip: Keep a travel-sized bottle in your bag for quick reapplications.
7. Spray Your Clothes With Hairspray
TikTok is full of clever hacks, and this one is a standout. Before you get dressed, spray your clothes with hairspray (whatever you have handy will do) to help prevent makeup from transferring. This tip is especially useful for white collars and sleeves.
