Smudge-Proof Makeup

“Prime your canvas," says Washington, D.C.-based makeup artist Victoria Stiles. "If you’re really oily and apply a foundation directly, your skin will just absorb the product. To make makeup last, it’s about knowing which products work for your skin.”

To create a smooth, clean, glowing surface, cleanse and gently exfoliate or peel first.

To buy: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser ($6); Clarisonic Aria Cleansing Brush ($199); Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Daily Face Peel ($85)

“The skin around the eyes is thinner than anywhere else on the face,” Stiles says. “Use eye cream first to reduce puffiness and prevent concealer from sinking into crevices.”

Sisley-Paris Sisleya Eye & Lip Contour Cream ($205) doubles as a lip balm.

Then prep your eyelids with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($20). Otherwise, “oils and constant blinking will smudge your eyeliner and crease your shadow," she says.

And Laura Mercier Eye Basics ($24) gives eye shadow more depth and durability.

If you’re on the oilier side, this keeps skin matte yet radiant: Nars Skin Aqua Gel Moisturizer ($58)

For all other skin types, Stiles—and many other makeup artists and models—favors this versatile, all-in-one moisturizer-primer-makeup remover from France: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè 24-Hour Miracle Cream (from $16).

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“As you get older,” says Los Angeles makeup artist Molly R. Stern, “you need more layers of prep to create a beautiful surface. Everyone’s skin is uneven in color. It’s all about the right tones and textures. Primer makes a huge difference.”

To buy: Glo Minerals Under Eye Primer ($24); Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer ($52); CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Serum Primer ($15)

For oily-skinned gals in search of stay-put matteness, this is lovely: Iman Time Control Primer ($16).

Makeup artists avoid powder foundations. They can look masky and flat, especially in photographs or on video.

“It lasts the longest,” says Stern, “but it’s a powder so it sits on the surface of the skin. A cream or liquid looks more natural.”

To buy: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Fresh & Hydrating Cream ($58); Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation ($47)

The newest hybrid is a moisturizing powder foundation that actually looks like skin: BareMinerals Ready SPF 20 Foundation ($29).

These products have earned their tried-and-true iconic stripes.They’re weightless, effective and stay fresh all day long. Wrap them up into the inner corner of the eyes for extra brightening.

To buy: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat ($40); Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, ($30); Veil Cosmetics Illuminating Complexion Fix ($36).

For absolute waterproof-ness, this one’s perfect: Lancôme Paris Effacernes Waterproof Protective Undereye Concealer ($30).

Defined, well-groomed eyebrows frame the entire face. “The harder the pencil, the longer it’ll stay,” Stern says. “Apply it lightly in hair-like strokes.”

To buy: Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Brow Pencil ($24); Lancôme Le Crayon Poudre ($26).

This brand-new, smudge-proof, highly pigmented gel, applied with a small, stiff brush, is also incredible: Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow ($20).

And Sigma Brow Design Kit ($69) provides everything your brows will ever need to stay put and pretty.

Once eyelids are prepped, any eyeshadow will have a long-lasting effect. A powder brushed over a cream will last longest. These beautiful shimmers and mattes work for all eyes.

To buy: Bobbi Brown Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow ($24); Nars Cream Eyeshadow ($24); Ellis Fass Creamy Eyes ($36); By Terry Ombre Blackstar Cream Eyeshadow ($43); Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow ($20).

To die for: For 35 silky powder shadows, plus a huge mirror, get Sephora+Pantone Eye Shadow Palette ($55).

“I love using liquid eyeliners and smudging them a bit,” says Stern. “It softens the line.” If you’re steady-handed, use liquids and gels. Otherwise, use pencil and crayon liners.

To buy: Hourglass Calligraphy Liquid Eye Liner ($32); NYX The Curve Liner ($9); Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($19); Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($22); Ruby Kisses HD Gel Liner ($4); Chantecaille Gel Liner Pencil ($33); Stila Smudge Crayon, $22

To apply gels: Sigma E05 Liner Brush ($9).

Weddings, workouts, weird weather—your wet eyes need waterproof mascara. (Don’t worry, I have the right remover for you.) If you love your regular formula, layer this cool new clear topcoat over it. And use an eyelash curler first.

To buy: Shu Uemura Curler ($20); Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Waterproof Mascara ($30); Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof Volume Mascara ($26); Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat ($21); Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover ($6).

“As we go into fall,” Stiles says, “we lose color. You want the essence of a sun-kissed look without it being overpowering. Use a stick, liquid stain or cream blush first. Then layer it with a powder.”

To buy: Nars The Multiple ($39); NYX Stick Blush ($6); Hourglass Aura Sheer Cheek Stain ($45); Chantecaille Cheek Crème ($34); NYX Rouge Cream Blush ($7); Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain ($19)

For a subtle, pearly glow on brow and cheek bones from day into night, these are Stiles’s go-tos: Sonia Kashuk Perfecting Translucent Illuminator ($15, in stores only); Benefit Moon Beam Iridescent Complexion Enhancer ($26).

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Setting makeup with translucent loose powder is a must. These are as sheer and light as a breeze.

To buy: Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder ($36); Youngblood Hi-Definition Hydrating Mineral Perfecting Powder ($40); Chantecaille Loose Powder ($62).

Then follow up with this: Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray ($12).

For portable touch-ups later, I love these. One for splurging, one for my inner drugstore diva: Estée Lauder Star PowerZodiac Compact ($70); Neutrogena Shine Control Powder ($13).

To make lipstick look smoother, last longer and not bleed outside the edges of your lips, Stiles says to “prime your lips first, then accentuate their shape and fullness with this colorless liner.”

To buy: Guerlain Kiss Kiss Liplift ($33); Cargo Reverse Lip Liner ($16)

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“If you eat a salad with dressing,” says Stern, “you’re definitely gonna need to touch up your lipstick. Base your lips with a denser, more opaque color. Blot that down … all day with a sheerer finish or gloss.”

To buy: Exude Lip Creme ($29); Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance 12-Hour Lipstick ($26); LipSense Long Lasting Liquid Lip Color ($22); Bite Beauty Honey Lip Lacquer ($24); Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick ($28); Secret Agent Secret Lip Affair Gloss ($16)