No touch-ups, no sliding off to the loo in work to make sure your red checks aren't showing through, and no having to lug a laden make-up bag around daily. That's the offer made by Rimmel's Lasting Finish '16-hour' foundation.

Sounds great, doesn't it? But hang on a minute and think about it — why on earth would you actually want your make-up to stay put for the guts of an entire day? It can't be kind to skin, and I'd never recommend anyone to leave their slap on for that amount |of time.

We've asked this question on Beaut.ie before, to hilarious responses. One tongue-in-cheek commenter reckoned companies were only thinking of our wellbeing in kidnapping situations: her rationale was that you'd be able to come out after your ordeal, face intact and still looking great for the cameras.

And while I'm fairly sure that wasn't at the forefront of the beauty brand's minds, there's no doubt that there's been a big fad for long-wear formulations over the past couple of years.

So how exactly do they do it? It's kind of icky — some products use starch-based film formers to make them ‘stick' longer. Essentially, they're more waterproof. While that's great for mascara, it's possibly less so for foundation.

Anyone with dry skin will probably be shuddering right now at the skin-dessicating possibilities of everlasting formulas, and in truth, you probably find your make-up lasts just fine all on its own.

But it's a different story altogether for oily gals or anyone holidaying in a humid climate, and that's where this type of product comes into its own. So, what's good?

1. Rimmel Lasting Finish 16-Hour Foundation, €7.95

A long-wear base that claims to last up to 16 hours, this is available in five shades. Does it live up to the hype? Yes, but it was just too ‘clingy' for my dry skin. A very respectable amount came back off on my muslin cleansing cloth at the end of the day, but my face felt tight. So this is one the sebum-prone will like, especially if they're on a budget. Downside? The limited colour options may not satisfy all comers.

2. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, €14

Love the look of Amy Winehouse's liner flicks but confounded as to how to get them to stay in place? Firstly, make sure any excess shine on your eyelids is dampened down with a lick of pressed or loose powder, administered with a big, soft brush. Then choose your liner with care: Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-on pencils score highly for a |couple of reasons: there are 20 shades on offer and all set to a waterproof, smudge-proof finish in about a minute.

Test them out on your hand before you buy, as the colour pay-off can differ. Lust, a dramatic purple with subtle sparkle, is |gorgeous and ideal for this season's trend for lilac eyes, but 1999, an aubergine, is disappointingly pale.

3. Estée Lauder Stay-in-Place Shadow Creme, €20

This is a brand with a big investment in all things long-lasting — they've even got an entire make-up collection, Double Wear, devoted to it. Great for girls with problem skin, the line's Stay-in-Place Make-up provides heavy duty coverage with longevity. It was joined last year by Doublewear Light, a less cakey version of their famous base, but there's lots more in the range too, including mascara and lip products.

A new addition is their Stay-in-Place Shadow Creme, a seven-strong suite of shadows in matte to demi-pearl finishes, which promise 15-hour wear. While you won't get madly fashion-forward shades, you will get jewel-tones, nice neutrals and subtle metallic colours which are a cinch to apply, build and blend. And yes, they last all day.

4. Too Faced Shadow Insurance, €17

This is a little gem of a product that any make-up fan will appreciate. Whether your shadow slides off your lids after approximately five minutes or you're fond of using glitter-tastic eye bling, this priming potion is for you, because it locks colour and sparkle down. Use a teeny blob for each eye, blend with a brush or your finger and quickly apply colour on top. Particularly good for keeping loose powder shadow in place, it also helps to intensify the shade, so this is a good way of getting wear out of poorly pigmented products.

5. L’Oréal Paris Infallible Lip Colour, €16.49

Oh, big points for packaging on this one. Slick, shiny and super-glam, this two-step colour/balm duo, available in 10 shades, will look great peeping out of any handbag. While it might look like something James Bond inventor Q whipped up in his lab, does it do what it says it will? The claims are it'll stay put for 16 hours, and while I didn't leave it on that long, fearing mummified lips, I was pretty impressed.

Trialling Stay Nude, a great daytime shade, it felt comfortable, looked good and lasted. The balm is a much nicer idea than the more usual gloss top coat that tends to come with long wear lip products, too.

AND DON’T FORGET: Make-up like this needs to be removed properly, or you're asking for congestion, spots and scaly patches. For face, try Estée Lauder's Take It Away Total Make-up Remover, €26. Alternatively, anything oil-based that emulsifies with water will be perfect. I like Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel, €23. It goes on like a regular cleanser, but transforms to an oil on contact with water, ensuring that even stubborn make-up slides off.

- Kirstie McDermott