Q: I love putting on smoky eye make-up. However, this always leaves smudges on my undereye area a few hours later. Is there any way to prevent this?

A: These smudges occur because of the natural secretion of sweat and oil on your eyelids, which dissolve the eyeshadow.

What you need to do is manage these secretions and extend the staying power of the product, says freelance make-up artist Larry Yeo.

To do so, he recommends using a silicone-based eyeshadow in a neutral colour as a base to help eyeshadow powder stay in place without smudging.

Examples of silicone-based eyeshadow include Shu Uemura’s Cream Eye Shadow ($40), M.A.C’s Paint Pot ($33) and Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Shadow ($36).

Use the cream product on your eyelid, then layer on powder eyeshadow immediately to create a smoky eye.

This is because silicone-based products are harder to blend with powder once they dry on the skin.

I have also found Too Faced Shadow Insurance ($28, from Sephora) to be excellent for keeping oily eyelids at bay even on hot, humid days.

For even stronger smudge protection, try dabbing on some loose powder over your concealer on your undereye area so it stays extra matte.

However, be warned that this may emphasise fine lines once the powder gets trapped in these creases.

To counter this, apply eye cream before your make-up to plump up the undereye area where the skin is thinner.

Yes, it’s all about complicated prep work.

This is the price you pay for a smudge-free look.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.