How To Lock In Your Makeup Like A Pro For The “Clean Girl” Look

The clean-girl aesthetic — think fresh, dewy skin that looks effortless — is here to stay, both on your FYP and on your face. That’s the beauty of formulas that pull double-duty as both makeup setters and skin care products; not only are they brimming with nourishing ingredients that hydrate and brighten skin as you wear them, but they also lock in your makeup for a long-lasting look. There’s no better example than e.l.f. Cosmetics’ Power Grip line, which pairs serious staying power for your makeup with actives that make your skin look and feel better once you wash your face, too.

Translation? You get the best of both worlds for clean-girl makeup that lasts all day (and then some). Here, let’s take a closer peek at the products that set Power Grip apart from the competition — and how to use them in your routine to lock your makeup like a pro.

Step 1: Prep With A Grippy Primer

A long-lasting makeup look begins with your base. We’re talking skin care: Your skin should be clean and freshly moisturized, especially if you’re aiming for the clean-girl aesthetic. To give skin an extra-luminous look, add a few drops of e.l.f. Cosmetics Bronzing Drops to your moisturizer. The tinted serum (which comes in three shades to suit every skin tone) gives skin a sun-kissed sheen and actively moisturizes skin with sunflower seed, marula, and raspberry seed oils. The combo is the perfect canvas for your e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer. The gel formula smooths and even hydrates skin with hyaluronic acid while extending the wear time of your complexion products — a win-win for your skin.

If you're dealing with dullness or discoloration, consider the Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide instead. It contains a whopping 4% niacinamide, a time-tested ingredient that does it all: It can address inflammation, slows down excess oil production, and brightens and evens out skin tone. So, not only does this keep your makeup from melting away during the day, but it helps skin look naturally brighter over time, too. For an extra something-something, apply e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter over it. The multitasking glow booster works alone, under or over foundation, or mixed into your foundation to give skin an instant, soft-focus finish — and lasts that much longer when layered over the Power Grip Primer.

Step 2: Set With A Strategic Spritz

Now the fun part: locking in your makeup with the e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray. The formula has two phases: a water phase to set makeup, and an oil phase to moisturize skin. The latter even includes a lineup of 5% aloe and hyaluronic acid, squalane, and green tea seed oil to nourish skin while you wear it. That makes it clutch for a radiant finish — plus, it doesn't feel sticky or greasy. Consider it the perfect finishing touch for your clean-girl look.

Even though the clean-girl makeup aesthetic can be effortless with the right makeup products, it’s worth protecting your time and effort by bookending your routine with steps to lock it in. With e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primers and Setting Spray, you can prep it, set it, and enjoy your dewy, lit-from-within skin without breaking a sweat — or watching it melt.