Now that June has hit, for many of us that means that it’s getting kind of hot. It can be kind of tricky to pull off makeup when you’re sweating in the heat, so here are a few tips and tricks (and product recommendations) that I’ve found to be especially helpful when wearing makeup in the warmer months.
- Make sure you’re taking care of your skin by using moisturizer, sunscreen, eating right (or at least okay) and drinking plenty of water. A lot of ihatediamond’s tips for dealing with hyperpigmentation are great skincare tips in general for making sure your skin has a healthy glow and helping to minimize the amount of base makeup you’ll be applying.
- Skip the foundation in favor of something light. A nice tinted moisturizer or even one of the incredibly trendy BB Creams is a better choice when it’s hot outside, since anything thickly applied is just going to melt off. Less is more. And don’t forget to look for makeup that includes SPF. Sunscreen’s super important, so try to see if you can find a tinted moisturizer with SPF or use sunscreen on your face underneath your makeup. I’m a huge fan of the Neutrogena Tinted Moisturizer, which does have SPF. It’s also always a good idea to use primer, since that will help keep your makeup from just sliding right off your face. Benefit’s Pore-fessional is a great choice for giving your skin a more even look, but if the price turns you off, Revlon’s Perfecting Primer is also pretty great. If you really want a primer and don’t want to spend money, Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel is the same thing as Smashbox’s Photo Finish primer, so you can buy and use that.
- When it’s hot and the sun’s shining, I tend to reach for bronzer instead of blush. If you’re thinking you’re too pale for bronzer, don’t fret. That’s really not the case. You just need to find the right shade and use a deft hand. Over-applying bronzer can make anyone look like an oompa loompa but with a light hand, anyone from the most pale to the very dark can have a light sun-kissed glow. The trick is to apply (GENTLY) with a brush to the places where sun naturally hits. The tops of your cheek bones, the tip of your nose and even a (VERY LIGHT, LIKE SERIOUSLY BARELY TOUCH THIS) dab on your forehead and chin. Physician’s Formula has a great range of bronzers in a variety of shades. Note: most of their bronzers are fairly shimmery so if you are planning on using bronzer to contour your face, choose something more matte. If you’re really hesitant to use bronzer, using a light highlighter gives a similar effect in a much lighter shade. Think something like Benefit’s liquid highlighter High Beam or their cream highlighter Watt’s Up.
- I personally think a more natural face, glowy face looks better during the summer but if you just can’t live without eye shadow or liner, or are going to a special event and want to glam it up, consider using cream eyeshadows in lieu of powder. It’s less likely to clump up or smudge, and when you sweat, can get a more natural and pretty sheen. If you love drugstore makeup, Wet N Wild has some fantastic eyeshadow pencils, and the Idol Eyes Cream Eyeshadow Pencil in Pixie can double as a highlighter.
- If you’re in the market for an eyeliner that won’t smudge or sweat off, there are a few great (and inexpensive options for you.) For starters, you’re going to have to learn how to use liquid or gel liner. Pencil liner just won’t cut it when you’re sweating. If the idea of liquid eyeliner fills you with terror, try a pen-style liner like Jordana’s Fabuliner. Fabulous color payoff, easy to apply and long-lasting, you can usually find it at Walgreens for less than $3.00. I’m also a huge fan of the Physician’s Formula gel eyeliner trios. These packs of three come in different shades for different eye colors, and are very pretty and easy to apply with a bit of practice. I recommend getting a bent eyeliner brush instead of using the brush that comes with the set in order to more easily do a thin line.
- When considering lip color, choose something hydrating in lieu of drying. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment are great pops of color in a fairly moisturizing package. Revlon’s Lip Butters are a less expensive alternative. As a general rule, I tend to prefer lip gloss to lipstick during the summer with a few exceptions. The summer is a great time to experiment with a bright, bold lip color since your face makeup is more natural and glowy. Experiment with colors you wouldn’t try ordinarily, like orange or a bright, vivid pink.
- Another trick is to use a setting spray after you’ve applied your makeup to help it stick to your face and to give your face a dewy, fresh look. While I’ve heard people rave about UD Up All Night, I actually just use a mixture of rosewater and glycerine in a spray bottle.
To recap, use sunscreen, drink buckets of water, go easy on the makeup or choose cream products over powder, and you should look fabulous despite the hot hot heat. If you have any additional tips that you’d like to add, post them in the comments!
Image: Flickr
