[Must-Read] How to Keep Your Makeup Looking Fresh Until Your Job-Hunting ID Photo Shoot (Makeup Edition)

Messy hair and makeup are your worst enemies during job hunting in Japan (shukatsu)! The same goes for your job-hunting ID photo. After all the effort you put into your makeup and hairstyle, you want to arrive at the photo studio with everything still in place, don't you?
With in-person company briefings and interviews now happening again, be sure to use the makeup-keeping tips introduced here as a reference!
Contents
Makeup breaks down because of sweat, oil and dryness! Take careful care of your skin first

Makeup mainly breaks down because of sweat, excess oil (sebum) and dryness.
Of these three, sweat is hard to prevent. Oil and dryness, on the other hand, can be managed with skincare, so it's best to start taking careful care of your skin the night before.
For some people who struggle with oily skin, dryness is actually the cause. Choose a routine that suits your own skin.
On the morning of your shoot, make sure to let the moisture and oils from your skincare soak thoroughly into your skin.
Remove excess oil before applying makeup! Blotting with a tissue is a quick fix
Right after skincare, oils from products such as milky lotion haven't fully sunk into your skin yet.
If you start your makeup in this state, your base makeup will break down very easily.
That's why it's best to wait a little after skincare and start your makeup once your skincare products have absorbed well into your skin.
But many of us don't have time in the morning! In that case, we recommend blotting with a tissue, which saves time while removing just the right amount of oil.

You can also use tissue blotting in the middle of your makeup routine.
When you apply makeup primer, CC cream or liquid foundation, excess oil tends to stay on your skin, just as it does after skincare. If you blot with a tissue after each step, the extra oil is removed, the product blends into your skin better, and your makeup is less likely to break down.
If you have dry skin, or if only some areas of your face are dry, blot only the areas that tend to get shiny.
To blot, simply lay a single tissue over your face and press gently.
Don't rub! Rubbing can irritate your skin and also remove the oils your skin needs.
How to do long-lasting eye and brow makeup

For eye makeup, the order matters!
Apply eyeshadow before eyeliner. The powder absorbs oil on your eyelids, so your liner is less likely to smudge.
For eyebrows, it's important to remove oil from the skin before drawing them in.
You could also try an eyebrow coat, available at drugstores and similar shops.
Choose face powder or setting spray to suit the finish you want
Face powder and setting spray are both effective for preventing makeup breakdown. Choose between them according to the finish you want and your skin type.
Face powder absorbs oil and sweat, helping your makeup last longer.
If your skin tends to be dry, skip the dry areas or blend the powder in by lightly patting it on with a sponge.
Setting spray helps prevent makeup from breaking down simply by being misted over your makeup.
If you wear a face mask, put it on only after the mist has dried completely.
Finishes vary by product, from matte to dewy, so pick the one that suits your taste.
By combining these small steps, aim for job-hunting makeup that won't break down!
Summary
Why not try these long-lasting job-hunting makeup tips on the day of your ID photo shoot first?
You'll find out which parts of your own makeup tend to break down.
At 19 Studio, even if your makeup does break down, there's no need to worry. We set aside time for makeup touch-ups before your ID photo is taken.
We can also retouch your photo, including skin blemishes and irritation, so please come to your shoot with peace of mind.

- I love writing and I'm currently studying copywriting. I turn the questions our guests often ask and the things I notice in the studio into easy-to-read articles about job-hunting and ID photos, so that even first-timers can understand them.
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