makeup

BEAT THE HEAT

photo: Christian Dior

Seasonal Summer Makeup…

For most of us, summer is our favorite time of the year… no school, half-day Fridays, pool parties and late sunsets… but unfortunately it doesn’t bring with it carefree make-up.  Between humidity and heat, you can look in the mirror an hour after you’ve applied your make-up and it has either traveled across your face or it’s gone.  Or perspiration has caused tiny sweat blemishes.  And if you’re spending all day in an office with recycled air conditioning, your skin and lips are dried out, even though it’s humid outside.  So this is the season to simplify your routine by going sheer and waterproof.  Here are some tips to get you through in style:

• After applying sunscreen, skip foundation or switch to an oil-free version, a mineral powder foundation or a tinted moisturizer.
• Spot conceal any blemishes with concealer and immediately spot powder them to set it.
• Skip powder on the rest of your face as it can get cake-y with humidity and perspiration. Use blotting papers instead. (Check the ingredients listed on the papers to make sure they do not include mineral oil which could clog your pores and cause breakouts).
• Switch to a waterproof eyeshadow (ask a make-up expert at the beauty counter to show you the different cream shadows that are water resistant; there are so many gorgeous ones out there) or skip shadow and do a cat eye with a waterproof liquid liner or gel liner.  For a refresher in how to do winged eyeliner, Lauren shows you how in our Get Catty tutorial.
• Finish your eyes with a waterproof mascara.  Skip the bottom lashes if they tend to smear on hotter days.
• If you’re already sporting a tan, all you’ll need is to swirl a cheek stain on the apples of your cheeks (avoid cream blush as it won’t last in the heat).  If you’ve been protecting your skin with a hat and sunscreen, fake it with bronzing powder by applying it with a wide-head bronzing brush everywhere the sun would hit your face: top of your forehead, your nose, cheekbones and chin, then don’t forget your neck and chest.
• Avoid a sticky gloss and opt for a sheer lipstick or if your lips are dried out, use a tinted lip balm.  You’ll find there are tons of really pretty corals, pinks and red lip balms at your drug store or department store once you start to look for them.

So even though summer make-up is more high maintenance, once you’ve switched to waterproof and sheer products, you should be able to have fun in the sun and not worry about it.  But carrying a small compact mirror in your beach bag to keep an eye on things every now and then never hurt…

XO Amy Nadine