I dunno about your neck of the woods, but here in Central Virginia it's HOT. Blazin' hot. I usually end up wearing a lot less makeup during the Summer months, but that's hard for a makeup junkie! I've come up with a few great ways to beat the heat and keep my makeup where I put it instead of watching it run down my face like a narsty sweaty river of Fail.
Take a look and then please give me your tips in the comments! Let's try to get through this summer together!
- Don't eat that, kids!
My eye cream and finishing sprays are in the fridge, chillin'. Not only does storing the eye cream this way feel nice and cool, but it also seems like it helps reduce morning puffiness a bit.* And there's nothing like a spriz of chilly mineral water when you're hot - especially if you've been out in the sun.
*If you have scientific proof that debunks this theory, please don't share it with me. I like thinking it works! ;)
Try:
- I prefer B.Kamins Eye Cream because it really hydrates (without over-doing it) and it has optical brighteners to help minimize my Lulu-is-teething circles. Plus, you can reapply this cream over makeup if you need to! This is my go-to summer eye cream.
- As a former MAC artist and current (always!) MAC addict, I prefer the anti-oxidant and vitamin-packed punch of Fix+ as a finishing spray. The cucumber, green tea and chamomile are especially kind to skin, too.
- That said, I'm being won over to the lovely finishers made by Skindinavia. The company promises 16-hour hold, which I totally believe! Incredible, huh? I've tried 10 Years Younger, which really helps prevent makeup from settling in fine lines and pores, plus gets rid of any overtly powdered look. It also works great spritzed onto a brush or sponge to apply makeup! Skindinavia also makes a spray called No More Shine for you oily lassies; heat-resistant Cool Flash finisher; and 4 (vegan!) finishers under the Urban Decay label.
For more stay-cool tips, keep reading!
- No-budge shadows
I usually use a crease-proof cream shadow under my eye makeup anyway, but this is an extra-important step in the hot weather! Powder products applied over a crease-proof, waterproof (or resistant) product will grab on and stay put!
Try:
- MAC's Paint Pots come in somewhat skintone-y hues and a variety of other colors as well (which can give an added vibrancy to the shadows put on top of them). Painterly is a staple in my personal makeup stash and in my kit! Soft Ochre, Groundwork, and Quite Natural are other "natural" shades.
- I'm eager to get my hands on Make Up For Ever's newest goody, Aqua Cream! These color-packed waterproof creams are multi-purpose, so you can slick them on your eyes, lips, or face... or anywhere else, for that matter. They seem to be getting good reviews as eye shadows, though some people are reporting that they are too drying on the lips. Have you tried them? Let me know in the comments!
- Totally tubular, dude
The only mascaras I use in the Summer are the "tubular" kinds - the ones you need to remove with warm water but won't budge otherwise. I swear by these for clients with deep-set eyes (like me!), monolid eyes (some Asians have this eye shape), those in humid areas, and for brides because they stay put regardless of sweat, cool water, or tears - and they're much more gentle on the lashes than waterproof mascaras.
Try:
- My favorite: Clinique's Lash Power Mascara is long-wearing, gentle, and has a great brush. It comes in a chocolatey brown and a pretty dark black, and it's only $14 which is a great deal. Major plus: it's not clumpy but gives a boost to length and a bit of volume, too.
- Draw a line in the sand
Just like I switch mascara in the warm weather, I switch to more tough and hardy eye liners. Smudged liner is gorgeous - but only when it's on purpose. Liquid liners are certainly not going anywhere, but thee are some fairly tough pencils, too. With the right brush, the MUFE Aqua Creams (see above) would probably work, too!
Try:
- MAC Liquidlast Liners if you want to be sure that your liner doesn't go anywhere. Because this stuff won't budge! The trick to removing them is super easy: use an oil-based remover (or even olive oil). Aqualine (bright teal) is super for summer!
- MAC Fluidline is pretty no-budge, too, but not waterproof. Blacktrack and Rich Ground should be in every makeup bag, and green eyed girls are doing themselves a disservice if they don't have Macroviolet!
- Make Up For Ever is a great source of stay-put makeup. Try Aqua Liners. Waterproof, creamy, pigmented sticks of yum! The colors are absolutely to die for, by the way.
- Summer rocks!
Skin makeup should be light in the Summer, so point yourself towards lightweight coverage. Many of us need oil-free choices, too.
Try:
- I reach for MAC Face & Body Foundation, which is the only foundation by that company that doesn't just slay my skin and break me out. Instead, it gives a just-so-slightly luminous look with just the right amount of coverage. Bonus points for being water resistant and excellent for photography! Note: the shade names are different for this foundation, so you will probably need a color match before buying.
- Two words: mineral makeup. It's odd to think that a powder product (that's how most mineral foundations come) can be water resistant, but it's true! Everyone has their favorite brands, but be careful with formulas that contain bismuth oxychloride, as some people are sensitive to that salt (I get hideous cystic acne from it - not a great look!).