Aug 11
5
How to Save Your Makeup From the Summer Heat
Most women are aware, and frustrated by, the simple fact that makeup and heat are two things that simply don’t mix. You get up in the morning, put on “your face,” and go about your day. But unless you are on house arrest, there is little chance of avoiding the sweltering heat this summer. It’s hot everywhere, all the time, and as sweat drips down your skin, so does your makeup. Your eyeshadow seeps into the creases of your eyelids, your foundaion becomes blotchy, and your mascara embellishes your upper and lower lids with a fine set of black dots. By lunchtime, your face looks more like a glossy Monet painting than the supermodel lookalike you created that morning.
There is no need to battle your makeup, even in the heat. Do make smart decisions, though, by adhering to the following tips.
- Substitute tinted moisturizer for foundation; it will absorb into your skin rather than sit on top. Can’t find a tinted moisturizer you like
? Create your own by mixing your favorite powder or liquid foundation with your daily moisturizer. - If you do need to use foundation- say, for a hot date with your hubby- always use a sheer foundation primer. It acts as an adhesive for your powder foundation and absorbs excess oils from your skin. I like Smashbox Photo Finish in Original, $36. A small daub for your whole face will do; too much makes for a slippery surface and melty makeup.
- Dump your cream cheek & eye colors for powders. Cream colors are far more likely to crease, smudge, and frankly become a huge mess especially in the heat. For the best eyeshadow look, start with a good eyelid primer (I swear by Too Faced Shadow Insurance, $18). Then, dust on eyeshadow using a brush. Keep it simple with only two natural shades.
- Go for eye and lip pencils over liquid and cream liners and lipsticks. The waxy formula in pencils is far more resilient in the heat than liquid formulas. For lips, line your entire pout with a nude-colored pencil liner and blend slightly inward. Whatever you put on top- be it gloss or lipstick- will stay put much longer this way.
- When it comes to mascara, many women insist on waterproof in the summertime. Personally, I hate the look of waterproof mascara on my lashes; it gives me the “tarantula” look. A great solution: use your favorite non-waterproof mascara as usual (my staple is Too Faced Lash Injection in Black, $21). Then, finish with a little waterproof mascara on the tips of both the uppers and lowers. It’s the perfect trick.
Your makeup vs. the heat wave… it’s a day-to-day battle this summer. But if you follow the previous tips, and the general mantra that less is more, you’ll look and feel natural, fresh, and more beautiful than ever.
