Your makeup slides off by midday, no matter what primer you use. It’s frustrating when you need a look to last. The secret isn't another layer, but a powerful ingredient.
A great substitute is a foundation formulated with a high-performance film former like Trimethylsiloxysilicate (TMS)1. This silicone resin2 creates a breathable, flexible film that locks makeup in place, offering long-lasting, waterproof wear without an extra primer layer.
This sounds like a simple fix, but how does one ingredient completely replace a whole step in your routine? It comes down to some really smart science that cosmetic formulators3 use. Understanding what goes into these advanced formulas can help you choose products that actually work. Let’s explore why this specific type of ingredient is a game-changer for long-lasting makeup.
Why are silicones a better film former for long-wear makeup?
Some long-wear products can feel heavy and tight, almost like a mask. After a few hours, they can even start to crack. The best formulas feel like you're wearing nothing at all.
Silicones create a film that is uniquely flexible and breathable. Unlike some other agents that can suffocate the skin, silicone films form a mesh-like layer that locks in pigment while letting your skin breathe, ensuring comfortable, long-lasting, and stable wear.
In my work at RUIHE, we constantly test different ingredients to achieve the best performance. When it comes to long-lasting makeup4 like foundation or eyeliner, silicone film formers5 are almost always our top choice. The main reason is how they feel and perform on the skin over a long day. Other film formers, like acrylates, can create a very strong film, but it's often rigid. A rigid film doesn't move with your face, which leads to that tight feeling and potential cracking. Silicones, on the other hand, are incredibly flexible.
The Breathability and Stability Advantage
The structure of a silicone film is different. Think of it less like a solid sheet of plastic and more like a microscopic net. This structure is what makes it so breathable. It effectively holds the makeup pigments in place but still allows water vapor from your skin to escape. This is crucial for comfort and skin health. In our development process, we focus on wear tests. We've seen that silicone-based formulas consistently win in terms of comfort, durability, and resistance to smudging from oil or sweat. The stability is simply on another level.
Here’s a simple breakdown from our lab's findings:
| Feature | Silicone Film Formers (like TMS) | Other Film Formers (Acrylates, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Breathability | Excellent | Low to Moderate |
| Flexibility | High | Low to Moderate |
| Feel on Skin | Lightweight, silky | Can feel tight or tacky |
| Wear Stability | Very high, resists oil and sweat | Good, but can degrade or crack |
How is this ingredient used to create the perfect matte lipstick?
Everyone loves the look of a matte lipstick, but nobody likes the feeling. So many formulas leave your lips feeling dry, tight, and chapped. A good matte lipstick6 shouldn't be a trade-off.
The secret is balancing different types of film formers. We use a "hard" film former like TMS for durability and a matte finish, then blend it with "soft" film formers to provide flexibility and prevent that dry, tight feeling.
I remember a specific project where a client wanted to create a completely smudge-proof, matte liquid lipstick that still felt comfortable after eight hours. This is one of the biggest challenges in color cosmetics. If you use too much of a strong film former like TMS, you get incredible staying power, but the lipstick feels like paint and flakes off. If you use too little, it won't last. The key is in the combination. We started with TMS as our base for its strong, matte film. This provides the structure and high-adhesion properties.
The Formulation Balancing Act
To counteract the rigidness of the TMS, we introduced softer, more elastic silicone polymers7 into the formula. These "soft" film formers don't have the same locking power, but they give the film tensile strength, which is just a technical way of saying it can stretch without breaking. This allows the lipstick to move with your lips when you talk or smile. We spent weeks adjusting the ratio. We had to find the sweet spot where the film formed quickly enough to prevent smudging but had enough softeners to remain comfortable. It’s a delicate balance to get that perfect combination of a fast-drying time and a flexible finish that doesn't feel tight. This careful, customized approach is what separates a world-class product from an average one.
Conclusion
A great primer substitute is a product with built-in film formers like TMS. This ingredient is safe, effective, and makes makeup last longer without feeling heavy or uncomfortable.
---Explore the benefits of TMS in cosmetics to understand why it's a game-changer for long-lasting makeup. ↩
Learn about silicone resin's role in makeup formulations and how it enhances wear and comfort. ↩
Gain insight into the work of cosmetic formulators and their role in product development. ↩
Discover expert tips for achieving long-lasting makeup that stays fresh throughout the day. ↩
Understand the science behind film formers and their importance in cosmetic formulations. ↩
Explore the formulation secrets behind comfortable matte lipsticks that last all day. ↩
Understand how silicone polymers enhance the performance and feel of cosmetic products. ↩
