Back in 2020, a makeup trend went viral on TikTok where you reverse the order of products, and it makes your makeup go on smoother and lasts all day.
Sounds crazy, but I had to try it.
So I did.
I tested this for weeks with different products and found out two things. 1) It didn’t really matter what products I used, as long as they were high quality they did the job and 2) Wait times matter – a little bit.
So what’s the secret recipe? Here you go.

Step 1: Moisturizer
My Favorite Moisturizers


Step 2: Setting Powder
My Favorite Setting Powders
- Laura Mercier Setting Powder in Medium
- Maybelline Fit Me Setting Powder
- Beauty Bakerie Almond Setting Powder

Related: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Makeup Baking
Step 3: Setting Spray
My Favorite Setting Sprays

Step 4: Primer
My Favorite Primers

Step 5: Foundation
My Favorite Foundations
- NARS Soft Blur Foundation
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation
- TooFaced Born This Way Foundation

Related: The Best Foundations For Every Coverage Level
Why does this work? By applying setting powder before your foundation, you’re able to soak up any extra oil. Using a setting spray before applying primer gives a little hydration back into your face, for a nice, even application of foundation.
There’s nothing worse than having a beat face and watching it fade away through the day. Treat yourself to makeup that lasts by tweaking the order that your products are applied. You’ll thank me later!
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