Living in the Philippines, we know what hot and humid weather can do to makeup. Thailand has a similar tropical climate, where heat, oil, and sweat can make keeping foundation fresh throughout the day a challenge.

That makes the advice of Thai makeup artist Supphachat “Tee” Thawisin especially relatable. As Nars Thailand senior training manager, Tee knows that making foundation last does not necessarily mean applying more. At a recent masterclass in Manila, he shared how he works with dry, oily, and textured skin, from preparing the complexion properly to refreshing makeup later in the day.

The intimate event also introduced Nars Natural Matte Longwear Foundation, a lightweight, medium-to-full coverage formula available in 39 shades. It promises up to 24 hours of shine control and wear, with a natural matte, soft-focus finish, while its Pore-Refining Trio helps improve the appearance of skin texture and pores over time.

For Tee, the right technique helps bring out the best in the formula. Here are seven of his tips.

Tee considers skin preparation one of the most important steps in creating a good finish. He starts with moisturizer, gently massaging it into the skin before applying primer. For dry skin, extra moisture or even a little facial oil may help, but those with oily skin should not automatically skip hydration.

“If you need oil, you add oil. If you need water, you add water to your skin,” he says.

The important thing is to pay attention to what your skin needs, whether that means more moisture or hydration before makeup.

Moisturized does not mean applying a thick layer of skincare. Once the skin is prepped, Tee recommends checking for excess product before foundation. Once the skin is prepped, he recommends blotting away any excess skincare before applying foundation. This helps the foundation sit more evenly while keeping the skin comfortable and moisturized.

Brush or sponge? Tee likes using the warmth of his fingers to help foundation spread more easily across the face. He applies it in long strokes, beginning at the center of the face and working outward. Once the first layer is even, he takes another look before adding anything else.

With Natural Matte Longwear Foundation, which has buildable medium-to-full coverage, that may already be enough for most of the face.

Instead of automatically applying a second layer everywhere, he adds foundation only to areas that need more coverage. Concealer follows the same rule. During the demonstration, he used Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer on areas such as under the eyes, around the nose, and around the mouth where there was discoloration.

This is one of Tee’s favorite techniques for making makeup last longer, especially for skin that becomes oily during the day. Think of it as a sandwich. Start with setting spray, apply foundation, mist again, add powder, then finish with another light layer of setting spray. “Setting spray, not fixing,” he emphasizes. The layering helps the different products sit together on the skin without relying on a heavy layer of powder.

If you have oily skin, your instinct may be to set foundation immediately. Tee suggests waiting to give the foundation a little time to settle and see where oil starts to appear. If there is excess sebum, blot it away before reaching for powder.

During the masterclass, Tee mixed Light Reflecting Luminizing Powder in Electra (highlighter in champagne hue) with Light Reflecting Setting Pressed Powder in Translucent (with a luminous finish). He alternated between the two powders, worked them into the brush, then tapped off the excess, making sure there was no obvious layer of product left on the bristles.

For Tee, powder should set the makeup, not cover it with another thick layer. Some oil and texture appearing later in the day is normal, too. Skin naturally produces oil and sweat, so there is no need to expect it to remain completely matte for hours.

When foundation begins to look less fresh during the day, Tee does not immediately add more powder. Blot away excess oil first. He also suggests lightly moistening a sponge with setting spray and gently pressing it over the skin. If coverage has faded in certain areas, add just a small amount of foundation afterward.

This can help bring back some of the freshness of the morning application without piling more product over makeup that is already there. It is especially useful in humid weather, helping makeup look fresh again as you go about your day.