Long wear? No problem.

Those bold 12 to 16-hour wear claims printed on bottles sound reassuring at 6pm, when your make-up is pristine and your plans are still optimistic. Fast-forward to midnight and reality often looks a little different. Heat, sweat, dancing, hugging, rain, tears, greasy canapés and questionable taxi lighting all conspire to undo your hard work.

Party-proofing your make-up is less about piling on heavy products and more about being strategic. It’s preparation, clever layering and choosing formulas that can actually cope with real life. Here’s how to build a look that lasts from first drink to last song, and still holds up the morning after.

Sweat, dancing and late nights included. Here’s how to party-proof your make-up and keep it looking good long after midnight.

Start With Skin That Can Hold Its Own

Max Mara

Long-lasting make-up begins well before foundation. If your skin is dehydrated or overloaded with rich creams, products will slide, separate or cling in the wrong places. Cleanse thoroughly, then apply a lightweight moisturiser suited to your skin type. You want hydration without slip. Give it time to absorb fully before moving on. Rushing this step is one of the quickest ways to sabotage wear time.

Primer is often dismissed, but the right one can make a noticeable difference. Choose based on what you struggle with most. Mattifying primers help control shine and stop foundation breaking down, while smoothing formulas blur texture and give make-up something to grip. Apply sparingly and only where needed rather than all over.

Build Your Base in Thin, Deliberate Layers

Carolina Herrera

Heavy foundation may look flawless at first, but it tends to crack and slide as the night wears on. Instead, apply a thin layer and build coverage only where necessary. Long-wear or oil-free foundations tend to hold up best in warm, crowded environments. Press product into the skin rather than buffing aggressively, which can lift what’s already underneath.

Concealer should be used with restraint. Focus on areas that genuinely need it and set lightly with powder. Over-powdering can look dry early on and patchy later. When it comes to setting, concentrate on the areas that actually get oily. A light press of translucent powder through the T-zone is usually enough. The goal is longevity, not a flat, chalky finish.

Choose Eye Make-up That Won’t Migrate

Ganni 

Eyes are often the first thing to give the game away after a few hours. Creamy textures and heavy blending may look dramatic at the start of the evening, but they’re far more likely to smudge.

If you’re going bold, keep it controlled. Use eyeshadows with good pigment and minimal fallout, and always apply an eye primer or a thin layer of concealer set with powder beforehand.

Water-resistant or waterproof eyeliner and mascara are non-negotiable if you want to avoid panda eyes. Tubing mascaras are particularly useful for nights out, as they don’t smudge and are far easier to remove later. Brows also deserve attention. A long-wear brow gel or wax will keep hairs in place and prevent fading, even if the rest of your face starts to feel a little worse for wear.

Lock Down Lips Without Drying Them Out

Stella McCartney

Lips are constantly tested throughout the night, so expectations need to be realistic. No product truly survives hours of eating and drinking untouched, but you can extend wear significantly.

Start by lightly exfoliating and applying a small amount of balm, blotting away excess before colour. Use a lip liner to define and fill in the lips completely. This creates a base that fades more evenly. Matt and satin finishes generally last longer than glossy formulas. Apply lipstick in thin layers, blot, then reapply. This simple step makes a surprising difference to staying power. If you’re wearing a bold shade, accept that touch-ups are part of the deal and plan accordingly.

Set it, Then Leave it Alone

Roberto Cavalli

Once your make-up is complete, a setting spray helps seal everything together. Mist lightly rather than drenching your face, and allow it to dry naturally. After that, try not to touch your face. Rubbing eyes, resting your chin on your hand or repeatedly checking your reflection will undo even the best routine. Instead of adding more product during the night, blot shine gently and re-powder only if necessary. Less interference usually means longer wear.

The Reality of All-Night Make-up

Richard Quinn

Even the most carefully applied make-up will soften over time, and that’s not a failure. A lived-in look is often far more flattering than something frozen in place. Party-proofing isn’t about perfection. It’s about confidence. Knowing your foundation won’t vanish, your mascara won’t betray you and your lipstick will fade gracefully rather than disappear entirely.

Those long-wear claims may be ambitious, but with the right approach, you can come impressively close. And if a little eyeliner smudges by sunrise, at least it looks intentional.