Why Your Makeup Won’t Stay Put: The Surprising Skincare Mistake Sabotaging Your Look

Let me guess: you’ve invested in a beautiful foundation or concealer, you apply it with care, maybe even a damp sponge or favorite brush… and two hours later it’s sliding off your face like it has somewhere better to be.

You wanna know a secret? It’s probably not the makeup’s fault.

Most clients come to me thinking their foundation or concealer is the issue. But as someone who spent 16 years in the medical field, I can tell you—sometimes you need a little diagnostic strategy. When I worked with patients who had allergies or skin sensitivities, we often had to take everything away and reintroduce one prescription, food or whatever we were questioning at the time to figure out the trigger. I now use that same method with makeup clients. Hey, it’s just how my brain works.

The Sneaky Culprit (typically)? Your Skincare Routine.

Don’t panic—I’m not asking you to give up your beloved serums forever. But if your makeup is breaking apart, sliding off, or refusing to stay put, it’s time to pause the 10-step routine and do a little beauty investigation.

Start fresh. Literally.
Try going makeup-free for a day or two without any skincare—yep, no moisturizers, oils, SPF, or serums. You’ll survive, I promise.

Then start slowly reintroducing your skincare products one at a time, testing your makeup after each step.

Often, the main offenders are:

• Heavy moisturizers or rich creams
• Oils (yes, even “non-greasy” ones)
• SPFs, including tinted ones. (One is a very popular brand Derms get you guys buying a lot!)
• Silicone-packed primers or skincare

These can create a slippery surface, cause pilling, or interfere with how makeup sets. If your foundation separates or won’t blend, chances are one of these products is causing chaos behind the scenes.

The Takeaway:
Don’t be too quick to toss that foundation or concealer—it might be innocent. The real trick is learning how your skincare and makeup play together (or don’t). Once you figure out the combo that works for your skin, it’s smooth sailing.

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💄 Need help finding the right products that work with your makeup, not against it?
Book a Signature Beauty Session and let’s troubleshoot together. We’ll go over your current skincare and makeup routine, figure out what’s helping (and what’s not), and create a fresh everyday look that actually lasts.

✨Your makeup should feel as good as it looks—and I’m here to help you get there.