Between the humidity and life’s chaos, keeping your glam intact is a skill. Here’s how to make your makeup unshakeable.
Flawless, long-lasting makeup starts with technique, not just the products on your shelf. The right prep, layering, and setting methods can make all the difference between a face that fades and one that stays picture-perfect till the very end. And with the 2025 Lagos fashion season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to master a look that can withstand heat, sweat, and flashing cameras — and still look fresh from the first runway show to the last after-party.
We’ve all been there: you leave the house with your makeup looking flawless, only for your full beat to start creasing, fading, or disappearing by midday. In Lagos — the city that never catches a breath — between the heat, the traffic, and the back-to-back events, keeping your makeup intact can feel like a full-time job.
As Olivia Arukwe reminded us in her guide to attending Lagos Fashion Week, the city is full of fashionable individuals — but the heat can be relentless, especially when you’re in full glam, a frontal, and layered clothing. And she’s absolutely right — the weather alone is a worthy opponent.
To uncover the secret to truly long-lasting makeup, we turned to beauty creator Vanessa Zino, who knows exactly how to keep your glam flawless from sunrise to sundown.
Skin prep — essential always
When it comes to any piece of art (and yes, makeup counts), your canvas has to be flawless. “I like to keep my skin prep very simple,” Vanessa says, “A good hydrating serum, moisturiser, and then primer to help my makeup last long.”
She swears by lightweight moisturisers like “Msmetics Moisture Bomb” and “Advanced Clinical Vitamin C Gel Cream”, especially for oily skin. “Nothing too heavy,” she notes. She also recommends the “MAC Hyper Real Skin Canvas Moisturiser” during the colder months. “If you have dry skin, you’d love this one.”
Once your skin is clean and hydrated, give your products a few minutes to settle before applying makeup. That short wait helps your base grip better and keeps it from breaking apart later.
Never skip primer
Primer always sparks mixed opinions — while some swear by it, others insist it’s overrated. Vanessa lands firmly in the first camp. “Primer is such a tricky thing,” she says, “Some people say it doesn’t work, but I literally cannot do without it. I have oily skin, so a good mattifying primer is key for the longevity of my makeup.”
Her rule of thumb: use a mattifying product for oily skin and a hydrating product for dry skin. “If you have oily skin, yeah, there’s no skipping primer — you need a mattifying primer so you don’t become a grease ball an hour later,” she adds.
Layer your products lightly
When it comes to layering for long-lasting makeup, less really is more. “Don’t try to just pack on a ton of foundation or a ton of concealer because you want full coverage,” Vanessa advises, “Do smaller amounts and build up gently if you need more coverage.”
The same logic applies to powders. “Don’t put a lot of loose powder on at once to set your concealer, especially. Always remove excess from your puff before you put it on your face.” Her recommendations for powders are Huda Beauty’s “Easy Bake Setting Powder and Reng Beauty cosmetics face powder.
For layering of blush, rather than choosing between only cream and powder, Vanessa says, “I love a combo of both cream and powder for longevity because blush tends to fade really fast. So cream body first and then powder blush to set it.”
This gentle, layered approach helps your base stay smooth — even through the most chaotic days.
Set between layers
Setting spray isn’t just a finishing step. According to Vanessa, it’s your secret weapon to long-lasting makeup. “I use setting spray in between each step of my makeup. So setting spray after foundation, after powder, at the end of my makeup and lastly locking it all in with a fixing spray,” she explains, “With this, your makeup will last ALL DAY!”
Her go-to combo? The Urban Decay All Nighter or FBH Lock-In Makeup Fixing Spray, followed by the One Size Setting Spray for extra staying power.
Pro tip: Hold the bottle about seven inches away from your face and spray lightly between layers. This helps melt all the products together and prevents a cakey finish.
Choose products that can handle Lagos’ humid weather
There’s a product type for everything. From foundations to eyeliners, many formulas are uniquely designed to go the mile, and as we all know, Lagos’ humidity is not for the faint-hearted. “Nigerian brands nowadays make such good products that are perfect for our Nigerian weather,” Vanessa says. Her go-to picks? Yanga Beauty Smooth Match Foundation and NARS Soft Matte Foundation for base, paired with Zaron Axe Pen Liner and Yanga Beauty Gelato Gel Liner for eyes that don’t budge.
For blush, she swears by “Nuban Beauty In My Skin Liquid Blush and Beauty by AD Cheek Charm Powder Blushes”, noting that they’re “very pigmented and long lasting.” And when it comes to mascara, Vanessa doesn’t hesitate, “My favourite mascara is the YSL Lash Clash Waterproof Mascara,” she says confidently, adding that “nothing beats this.”
Keep your eyes and lips locked in
“Prep your eyelids properly,” Vanessa asserts. “Either use an eyeshadow base or a bit of concealer, then set with loose powder before applying eyeshadow.” When it comes to eyeliner, gel formulas win every time. “You can also set your liner with eyeshadow, which helps it last as well.” She adds that she’s “team powder eyeshadow” all the way — a choice that makes perfect sense, especially with our weather and chaos.
For smudge-resistant lips that stay perfectly puckered, our pro tip is to start by exfoliating to remove any dry skin, then apply a hydrating lip balm. Next, use a lip primer or a light layer of concealer as a base before your lipstick. Apply your chosen lip colour, ideally a long-wear formula,. Also, apply gently to the lips and reapply for that polished finish.
Always blot, don’t pile
From rushing between shows to navigating a packed schedule of events, the fashion season can take its toll — and it’s only natural for your makeup to start slipping. When your face starts to get oily or you notice small cracks in your makeup, resist the urge to reach straight for the powder. Applying powder directly can cause buildup on your makeup, making it appear heavy. Instead, use a tissue or blotting paper to gently dab (not rub) away excess oil first before applying any touch-up powder.
Mini on-the-go makeup kit
After nailing every step and perfecting your look, don’t forget to pack a reliable touch-up kit before heading out. Although these steps are reliable, you just might need a quick touch-up. So, in the spirit of being prepared (because you never want to be caught off guard), always keep your mini kit close. Keep essentials like a pressed powder, blotting papers or tissue, and — because dry lips are an absolute no for Vanessa — lip gloss. And in my opinion, the most important of them all, a rechargeable hand fan (saving the girlies since ‘55). Trust me, it’s your best friend against heat, humidity, and shine — especially in Lagos.
Makeup so good, it’ll last until tomorrow
At the end of the day, long-lasting makeup isn’t about luck; it’s about prep, layers, technique, and the right techniques. A few extra minutes of prep in the morning can save you countless touch-ups later. The next time you’re getting ready for the fashion season, runway shows, a packed day, or a night out, keep these beauty hacks in mind — and step out with confidence.
Watch Vanessa Zino reveal her secrets for a flawless, long-lasting makeup look.
Read more: Travelling soon? Don’t pack without this makeup guide!
