Make-up with mileage: Long-wear cosmetics

If you can't be parted from your compact mirror and you're permanently touching up your face powder, it might be time to reassess your make-up application.

More than half (58%) of women admit to reapplying their cosmetics once or twice a day, according to a recent Birchbox survey, while 3% admitted to topping up three to five times.

And there's extra pressure to 'put your face on' when you need your make-up to last all day, whether it's for back-to-back work meetings or a romantic wedding.

M.A.C senior artist Pablo Rodriguez reveals it's all in the application, as he explains the techniques for make-up that stays put.

Prime time

Surprisingly, you don't need more products for longevity, you need fewer. It's wise to skimp on your skincare routine before applying your make-up to ensure the products don't slide.

"The secret is to keep it simple," says Rodriguez. "Use a light lotion rather than a rich moisturiser.

"Make-up tends to last less on oily skin, so it helps to prepare the skin with a shine control product before foundation. A mattifying product like M.A.C Prep & Prime Skin Refined Zone (£16) works wonders under or on top of foundation."

Primers not only hold your make-up better than natural skin, but also minimise pores for a flawless finish.

Staying power

"Do not assume that applying more make-up will make it last longer - there will just be more make-up," warns Rodriguez.

Look for products that 'set' on the skin - think gels rather than creams. A long-wear foundation is the ultimate investment as it's the base you're applying products on top of.

Rodriguez says: "Foundations and concealers that are less emollient (moisturising) will stay on longer in hot and humid weather, and a good powder is essential."

Stick to matte formulations, oil-free powders and waterproof products for extra staying power.

Touch-up tips

If you're prone to sweating or shine attacks, you'll need to keep an eye on your look. Liners and concealers especially tend to crease more if it's hot and humid, according to Rodriguez.

"A hydrating mist will refresh your make-up and make it look like you have just applied it, but it will not set it," he says.

Lips are the one feature that will need to be re-touched, especially post-eating. Take the exact product in your bag so you don't have to switch colours halfway through the day.

Planning an outfit change? "Be careful when getting dressed or undressed to not smudge the make-up," Rodriguez warns. "A piece of muslin cloth on the face can prevent a make-up disaster."

The 12-hour test

Lisa Haynes puts long-wear application to the test at V Festival with a makeover from M.A.C senior artist Pablo Rodriguez. But will it survive dinner, drizzle and a Beyonce set?

1PM: In the make-up chair, I observe Rodriguez is using brushes rather than fingers to really push the products into my skin and achieve an airbrush effect rather than a caked-on look. I'm usually a gloss girl but I'm advised to choose a matte finish lipstick for extra longevity. Rodriguez layers it on with a lip brush.

4PM: I want my look to last as long as possible so I take Rodriguez's advice and drink delicately out of plastic straws to retain my statement Impassioned raspberry red lips. I don't smoke but cigarettes make for more regular lipstick top-ups as they blot down the colour.

7PM: My amazing lips suffer death by macaroni cheese. Drat. The matte colour is clinging on post-dinner but now looks more like a subtle stain, so requires a reapplication.

1OPM: Beyonce is on stage and I'm feeling rather chuffed that my airbrush-look skin rivals hers eight hours later. There's not even a hint of mascara running as I stand in the rain umbrella-free.

1AM: I discover there's a downfall to the long-wear look... Your average make-up wipes and cleansers just won't budge waterproof formulas. I used an oil-based cleanser on my eyes to break down my mascara and eyeliner's robust waterproof properties. Cleansing took longer than usual, but it was worth it.

:: Key M.A.C products in Lisa's long-wear kit: Studio Moisture Fix SPF15, £22.50; Pro Longwear SPF10 Foundation, £25; Pro Longwear Concealer, £15.50; Paint Pot in Quite Natural, £15; Technakohl Liner in GraphBlack, £14; False Lashes Waterproof, £18; Lipstick in Impassioned, £15; all available at www.maccosmetics.co.uk

:: Ask for a long-wear makeover at a one-on-one appointment with a M.A.C Pro Artist, from £30 for 60 minutes (value of appointment fully redeemable against M.A.C products purchased). Available at all M.A.C locations nationwide, see www.maccosmetics.co.uk/locator

Beauty bulletin

:: Beard brigade

Gary Barlow certainly has the X Factor when it comes to facial fuzz. The Take That singer has topped a poll of the UK's most sought-after facial hair, followed by David Beckham, George Clooney and Brad Pitt. The Institute of Trichologists has noticed a six-fold increase in requests for beard transplants, as more men follow in the footsteps of Jeremy Paxman et al and sport a full beard. Dr Bessam Farjo, founder of Farjo Hair Institute, says: "For the last 12 to 18 months, there has been a noticeable rise in the number of men coming to my practice wanting to fill in bald patches or thicken wisps of hair."

:: Recessionista alert

Nail a fragrant top-to-toe look with limited edition scent and nail polish duos from Impulse and Models Own. The brands have teamed up to create three scent and colour variants, priced just £4 per set (worth £9). Available in Superdrug now and Asda from September for a limited period only.