Surviving the heat with makeup
After a recent trip in the sun, I really noticed how I didn’t want to wear much makeup, and wanted to create a more natural look for going out…. This can be tricky when battling heat or humidity because makeup tends to move around, slide off or just break up. But here’s how to combat these things and still appear like you’ve made a difference with makeup…
Why does skin become oilier?
The most important thing to remember is putting makeup on is a bit like baking a multi layered cake. if that first layer isn’t even the rest of the layers aren’t going to be either. You also need to think about if your skin tends to get oilier over warmer months then just consider in warmer more humid environments, skin will hold onto more moisture.
Nothing stays on when skin isn’t prepared correctly. So if you want to wear minimal makeup and don’t want grease or it to all slide off pay attention…
The most important thing to do is clean skin thoroughly all the excess suncream and dirt needs to be completely removed or makeup will sit on the residue and move around. When on holiday you need to be ‘extra’ with your cleansing! Liquid non oily cleansers will give you the best result.
What else causes ‘the slide’?
Another thing to look at is your moisturiser… if this is rich, or has a greasy effect on skin, I’d recommend scrapping it temporarily for the makeup look you’re trying to achieve. So, if you find you apply your moisturiser to skin and then see skin become oilier on the surface then you know it contains too much oil for holiday makeup. If you have drier skin, you may well be fine.
At this point I would also look at your sunscreen. Dependant on what time of day you’re going out at of course! You may be wondering what I mean by this but hear me out…. An oilier based suncream isn’t going to help makeup sit smoothly. Choose a suncream designed for the face, but also one that sits more matt leaving a non-greasy feel. For my recommendations head to the post on this on Instagram.
Now for the important ingredient!
After this you would really need to look at your primer. I know this a step often questioned or missed out, but this is going to really help create a barrier for your makeup from the products you’ve already applied to skin. If you’re wondering if your primer is ‘right’ for you then, just bear in mind what it feels like once it’s been applied. It should feel dry and not slippery or tacky.
When it comes to applying primer, you need to apply more than you usually would so that you can create a good barrier and this will help makeup stay in place. If you struggle with putting lots on do it in layers and don’t forget to put plenty where your makeup tends to move.
But how do I get foundation to stay in place?
Now the skin is prepared you can go for it with your base. I know that many people will prefer a ‘lightweight’ base when it’s warmer BUT this isn’t always going to be helpful. Once again, the extra oils and creams in a bb cream or tinted or lightweight foundation will be difficult to control. If you have a matt foundation this will help. I know you’re thinking ‘but i don’t want it heavy’ I hear you… But having a very light layer of a matt base will give you a more resilient coverage. Now the biggest thing to look at here is how you’re applying it? One of the biggest issues is the wrong tool! It needs to transfer the lightest layer without leaving heavier areas. Sponges really affect the finish and the under layers for base, and many brushes tend to be too flimsy where it transfers unevenly or too stiff where it moves everything under makeup (which makes everything youve just done pointless!). I always recommend a stipple style brush like the Flawless Foundation Brush by Makeup Musthaves. This gives a completely different transfer to others and can make even a full foundation look lighter weight and make a sheer foundation have better coverage.
What happens with the rest of your makeup?
Now all the preparation is done you can apply the rest of your makeup. A couple of things to know. You are transferring the makeup to the face not rubbing it in. It will prevent you from rubbing makeup away.
Also look at if the rest of your products are cream or powder. Powder will really help makeup stay in place almost like a setting powder would. But cream does tend to move around more and has more oils. You probably need to take a look at how oily you are to decide which option to go for. If you are very dry this may suit you more BUT just remember when in warmer climates it is harder to manage.
If you want to use powder products but then want to create that reflective effect that isn’t ‘too matt’ then a blusher with a sheen to it rather than it being matt or a soft highlighter on the cheekbones will help to achieve this.
Lastly, remember that makeup wears into the skin, so always add a touch more than how you want it to appear. Good luck and don’t forget to get in touch if you have questions…