How to Stop Makeup from Creasing: 6 Best Tips for All-Day Wear - Klever Korner

How to Stop Makeup from Creasing: 6 Best Tips for All-Day Wear

Looking flawless all day is about more than your makeup choice

a woman in a green suit posing for a picture
By Milly Mitchell
Caitlin Snethlage
Edited by Caitlin Snethlage

Published January 31, 2024.

A woman looking at a mirror to see how to stop makeup from creasing.

Ever experienced the frustration of your carefully applied makeup settling into fine lines or creasing throughout the day?

You're not alone. Excess moisture and oil on the skin—combined with constantly moving facial muscles—can cause makeup to shift and crease. That's why we will explore ways to stop it, even before applying any products.



1. Determine Your Skin Type

Knowing your skin type helps you to customize your skincare and makeup to your needs. Creased makeup is influenced differently by the following skin types:

  • Oily: Characterized by excess oils, it can break makeup, causing it to slide and settle into lines.
  • Dry: Lacks moisture, making it prone to flakiness and dry patches, where products like foundation can settle into wrinkles.
  • Combination: Has an oily T-zone area and dry skin patches, which can create an uneven texture.
  • Sensitive: Easily irritated and prone to redness, dryness, and inflammation.
Stopping makeup from creasing: a diagram of different skin types.


2. Follow a Healthy Skincare Routine

When your skin is healthy, your makeup sits better, looks smoother, and lasts longer. Follow a beauty routine tailored to you, such as using a hydrating moisturizer for dryness. You should also choose high-quality products rich in minerals and vitamins. The ingredients they contain work best when used consistently, so stay consistent.

Note: Drink enough water, use sun protection, eat a balanced diet, and embrace positive aging. There is no shortcut to healthy skin because it's a gradual, evolving process.

» Find out how to reduce wrinkles with retinol

3. Prep Your Skin

Begin by making sure your skin is clean and well-hydrated. Prep your skin with a smoothing primer and eye cream suitable for your skin type, especially during seasonal changes and in winter.

Primers are powerful. They create a smooth base for applying makeup and act as an adhesive surface that prevents it from settling into creases and fine lines. They ensure long-lasting wear by building a hydrating barrier between the skin and the product.

A woman prepping her skin to prevent makeup from creasing.


4. Master Your Makeup

Even smooth skin can crease with too much makeup. For example, dry type lacks the flexibility to move with your facial expressions, causing concealer to crack and settle in lines. Oil can also mix and break the product, making it slide.

Use a creamy but lightweight concealer and foundation to stop the product from settling into wrinkles. Finish off with a small amount of translucent powder for a natural look.

Here are some other ways you can stop makeup from creasing:

  • Oily: Use oil-free primers and foundations to control shine. Lightly apply powder to stop makeup from creasing.

  • Dry: Aim for hydration with moisturizing primers and foundations. Skip matte products, which can dry your skin and make fine lines more noticeable.

  • Combination: Customize your routine with combination primers that target oily T-zones and dry areas.

  • Sensitive: Choose fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products, prioritize hydration, and avoid heavy powdering.

5. Select the Right Tools

Makeup brushes, fingers, and sponges offer different effects, so choose what works best. Most women often use damp beauty blenders for a full beat, while others try triangle puffs to create a smooth finish.

Professional makeup artists use spatulas to warm products on the back of their hands, creating a smooth base to stop makeup from creasing throughout the day.

Make sure your tools are clean no matter what you're using to apply your makeup. A recent study found that more than 70% contain harmful bacteria. It's unhygienic and can prevent you from applying makeup correctly. So, wash your hands and clean your brushes or lip liners often with detergent or baby shampoo.

A woman using a setting powder to prevent makeup from creasing.


» Discover the best ways to apply and blend your foundation

Custom Care for Crease-Free Makeup

Consider your unique skin needs and go for products and techniques that work specifically for you. When it comes to makeup, remember that less is more—it's easier to touch up than to start over. This is where Klever Beauty Box can be a helpful tool.

The subscription boxes curate various beauty products, helping you discover brands and items formulated for sensitive skin. They align perfectly with the less is more approach, letting you experiment and find what suits your skin.