The Truth About All Hours Foundation

When people search for All Hours foundation, they’re almost always talking about YSL Beauty’s long wear foundation, and its reputation is simple: it’s built to stay put. That’s appealing to anyone who’s watched their base slide off by lunchtime, and especially to brides who need makeup to survive a ceremony, portraits, a reception, and a lot of dancing.

As a Tampa bridal hair and makeup team, we get questions about long wear foundations all the time, because Florida humidity is tough on makeup. In this guide, we’ll explain what YSL says All Hours foundation promises, how its shade system works, how it’s reported to wear in heat and humidity, application tips from a makeup artist’s point of view, and who might want to skip it. We’re working from YSL Beauty’s published product information and widely reported details, and formulas, SPF labeling, prices, and shade ranges can vary by market and change over time, so check the current page for your country.

What All Hours Foundation Promises

YSL Beauty describes All Hours Luminous Matte Foundation as a long wear foundation with buildable, full coverage and a luminous matte finish. The brand says it lasts up to 24 hours and is transfer resistant, water resistant, and sweat resistant. It also lists hyaluronic acid in the formula, which the brand positions as a comfort ingredient.

Some versions of the product sold in the UK and Europe are labeled SPF 39 PA+++, while earlier versions had a lower SPF, and labeling in the US may differ. Check the label for your market. Either way, foundation shouldn’t replace your sunscreen, since most people apply far less foundation than the amount needed to reach the labeled SPF.

In practical terms, “luminous matte” means it’s matte enough to control shine but not completely flat, so skin looks smooth without looking powdery. Coverage starts at medium and builds to full, which is more than many brides need everywhere, but it can be helpful for evening out redness, discoloration, or areas where you’d otherwise layer concealer.

All Hours Foundation Shade Range And Matching

YSL uses a three part shade code for All Hours foundation. In general, a letter shows depth, such as light, medium, or deep, another letter shows undertone, such as cool, neutral, or warm, and a number shows intensity within that group. Once you understand the code, it’s much easier to find your match online or narrow down swatches in store.

Undertone is the most common place shade matching goes wrong. If a foundation looks pink, orange, or gray on you, the undertone is likely off rather than the depth. Swatch two or three shades on your jawline, let them dry for several minutes since long wear foundations can darken slightly as they set, and check them in natural daylight. The right one should disappear into your neck. If you’re between shades, mixing two neighboring shades is often the best solution.

How All Hours Foundation Wears In Heat And Humidity

This is where long wear formulas earn their place. Many users report that All Hours foundation holds up well through heat and humidity, with less shine breakthrough and less fading around the nose and chin than lighter foundations. The transfer resistant claim is also appealing for weddings, where hugs, kisses on the cheek, and a white dress are all part of the day.

That said, wear varies by skin type. On oily skin, many people still notice some shine in the T zone after several hours, which blotting usually fixes. On dry skin, long wear foundations can start to cling to dry patches or settle into fine lines as the day goes on. In Florida summer, sweat and humidity challenge any foundation, so a mattifying primer, a thin layer of foundation, and a setting spray usually make more difference than the formula alone.

The Detail Most Reviews Skip: Long Wear Means Faster Setting

Here’s a practical point many reviews leave out. Long wear foundations like this one tend to set quickly once they’re on the skin. That’s part of why they last, but it also means you have less time to blend. If you apply it to your whole face before blending, the first area may start to set before you reach it, leaving streaks or edges. Work in sections, cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin, and blend each one before moving on. Keeping your sponge damp gives you a little more working time, and less product per section helps it blend more smoothly.

Application Tips From A Makeup Artist

Prep makes or breaks a long wear foundation. Start with clean, moisturized skin, and let your moisturizer sink in for a few minutes. If you’re oily, use a mattifying primer on the T zone. If you’re dry, a hydrating primer on the cheeks helps prevent clinging.

Use less than you think. A small amount spread thinly covers more than you’d expect with this kind of coverage. A damp sponge gives a softer, more skin like finish, while a dense brush gives more coverage. Build in thin layers only where you need more coverage, rather than applying one thick layer all over.

Set strategically. Long wear foundations don’t always need much powder, so try a light dusting only on the T zone and under the eyes. Finish with a setting spray to soften any powdery look. If you’d like a long wearing base without the feeling of a heavy foundation, airbrush makeup is another option many brides consider. Learn more in our guide to airbrush makeup.

Touch Ups And Removal

Even a long wear foundation benefits from a simple touch up plan on a wedding day. The most useful item in your bag is a pack of blotting papers. Press them gently onto the T zone to lift oil without disturbing the foundation underneath. Avoid rubbing, which can move the base and leave patches. After blotting, a light press of translucent powder on the nose and chin is usually all you need.

If you need to cover a small spot that’s worn away, such as around the nose after a lot of tissue use, tap a tiny amount of foundation or concealer onto the area with a fingertip and press it in, rather than adding a new layer across the whole face. A small mist of setting spray at the end helps everything blend back together.

Removal takes a little more effort with long wear formulas. Many people find a cleansing balm or cleansing oil works best as a first step, since it breaks down long wear makeup gently. Massage it over dry skin, emulsify with a little water, then rinse and follow with your regular cleanser. Avoid scrubbing hard, especially after a long day when skin may already feel sensitive. Following with a good moisturizer helps skin recover after many hours of wear.

Who Should Skip All Hours Foundation

If your skin is very dry, a long wear matte foundation may feel tight or emphasize dry patches. Mature skin can also find matte formulas settle into fine lines over a long day. In both cases, a hydrating or satin finish foundation is often more comfortable.

If you prefer light, sheer coverage, All Hours foundation may feel like too much. Sheering it out with moisturizer is possible, but you might be happier with a lighter formula from the start. And if you have sensitive skin, a skin condition, or a history of reactions, patch test it first and talk to your dermatologist about which products suit you. For your wedding, your artist will choose a foundation based on your skin, your style, and your venue. Try options at your bridal trial and see our bridal makeup application page.

Frequently Asked Questions