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The Best Makeup Products to Wear Under Your Masks

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UFL chapter.

When the pandemic started, the concept of wearing a mask might not have been a big deal for you. It’s a simple choice to make. But it probably took you longer to realize that wearing a mask may mean that you have to switch up your makeup routine. It might not have even occurred to you until you realized that your lipstick smudged onto your reusable mask instead of staying your lips (which can be even more annoying if you wear reusable masks). 

The problem might seem impossible to fix, but there are a few tricks that you can use to prevent your mask from rubbing off your makeup. After doing some research, I found a variety of makeup products that will hold up under your mask to help keep your makeup looking flawless. 

Makeup Primer

Makeup primer is essential for keeping your makeup from smearing under your mask. It’s used all over your face as a way to set your base makeup, like foundation, to keep it lasting longer. Therefore, if you wear face makeup and you want it to stay in place, you will need to purchase a makeup primer to put on before your foundation. Makeup primers can sometimes be on the pricey side, but this Maybelline primer has great ratings and is reasonably priced. It will help keep your foundation intact while wearing a mask. 

Maybelline FaceStudio Master Prime Blur + Defend Primer ($9.99 at Ulta)

Foundation

If you wear a mask, the type of foundation that you wear is also very important. You will want to ensure that your foundation is long-lasting, especially if you have oily skin because a mask could make your foundation smear. However, if you purchase this bareMinerals performance wear foundation, you won’t have to worry about your foundation wearing off. This foundation has 24-hour coverage, so you will have long-lasting face makeup. 

bareMinerals BAREPRO Performance Wear Liquid Foundation ($34 at Ulta)

Concealer

For your base makeup, concealer is also important because a mask can rub under your eyes depending on what kind of mask you use. This means that you will also want to get a long-lasting concealer. This e.l.f. concealer is perfect because it has long-lasting coverage and is reasonably priced, so you won’t have to ever worry about your dark circles showing!

e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer ($6 at Ulta)

Powder

If you don’t already use a setting powder, you should definitely start ASAP. Setting powders can significantly help when wearing a mask. It keeps your liquid face makeup in place and prevents it from smudging so that it lasts longer. This is essential for face makeup when wearing a mask because it can add an extra layer to your face makeup to prevent it from smearing. This Laura Mercier powder is on the pricier side, but it is the holy grail of face powders. If you want to splurge on makeup, you should purchase this face powder!

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($39 at Sephora)

Lipstick

Lipstick is probably the most important makeup item when dealing with a mask because if your mask smudges your lipstick, it could completely ruin your makeup look. To prevent this, you should get a long-lasting lipstick, not gloss, to ensure your lipstick stays intact under your mask. The Maybelline superstay lipstick is perfect because it comes in multiple shades for you to choose from and it is reasonably priced. If you wear this lipstick, you won’t have to worry about your lipstick smudging under your mask and potentially ruining your makeup. Another great thing about this lipstick is that it can also be used as a lip liner.

Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick ($7.99 at Target)

Setting Spray

Setting spray can also help a great deal when you have to wear a mask. It’s meant to lock your makeup in place, so when you are wearing a mask you should try to use this as much as you can to make sure your makeup doesn’t smear! The Urban Decay all nighter setting spray is known to be one of the best setting sprays and will help keep your makeup in place under your mask. 

Urban Decay Cosmetics All Nighter Ultra Matte Makeup Setting Spray ($15 at Ulta)

If you purchase some or even all of these makeup products, you will definitely be able to wear your mask without worrying about your makeup rubbing off. I hope this helps you to find the products you need to keep your makeup looking flawless even under your mask!

Ashlyn is a student at the University of Florida studying journalism.