HEATPROOF YOUR MAKEUP – TIPS & TRICKS + PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS

 

Alright, you gorgeous things! It’s finally starting to warm up outside!

Or maybe you live somewhere that it’s always warm! Either way, today we’re going to talk about ways to keep your makeup from pulling a disappearing act in the heat and humidity!

Personally, I do not like to wear a full face of makeup when it’s hot outside, but let’s face it (ha ha); sometimes the occasion calls for it. Spring and summer are most popular for weddings, proms, and so on. And sometimes you just have to look your best.

So to find out my best beauty tricks and tips for the hotter months, keep on reading!

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PREP YOUR SKIN

  It’s important to prep your skin before you let a drop of makeup touch your face. The best way to do that, is to exfoliate and moisturize. Gentle exfoliation (I like the Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Polishing Mask) followed up by a lightweight moisturizer like the Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream, creates a smooth canvas for the rest of your products!

PRIMER IS KEY! 

  This is totally dependent on your skin type and desired end result; now typically, if you’re dry to normal, a moisturizer will do the trick, but if you’re super dry, and really crave that dewy glow, then my go-to primer on drier days is L’Oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer – which I understand is also a great dupe for the BECCA Backlight Priming Filter.
If you’re of the oily variety (like myself on the most humid of days), opt for a mattifying primer, like Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer, or even good ol’ Milk Of Magnesia (no, really, read about it here!). If you use the Milk Of Magnesia, just make sure its the original, flavorless kind; not the mint or cherry or whatever other flavors they make.

WORK IN THIN, LIGHT LAYERS

  No matter what products you’re planning on using – primer, foundation, BB cream, concealer, etc., always work in super thin, light layers. This prevents you from getting cake face, and ultimately, cake face is what’s going to melt off or break apart on your skin and ruin your whole look.
Additionally, I would recommend applying these layers with a damp sponge, like the Original BeautyBlender or Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. The dampness of the sponge helps to soak up excess product and blend it out sheer, while at the same time, pressing it into the skin rather than smearing it around and sitting on top. While it won’t give you immediate full coverage, it does allow for the flexibility to build coverage if you so desire.

USE LONG WEARING PRODUCTS 

  While many opt for BB or CC creams during the warmer months, I personally see them as glorified tinted moisturizers, with little to no staying power. If you’re looking for coverage and staying power, a long wearing foundation it the way to go. Some of my favorites are the L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte 24HR Foundation, and the Revlon ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup. Both offer medium coverage, buildable to full, and they’re very lightweight on the skin. The Revlon foundation works well for all skin types, and as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, looks better the longer you wear it. The L’Oreal foundation has a demi-matte finish, that leaves the skin looking like skin, and stays put.

  I tend to avoid foundation like the plague in the summer, opting for concealer only where I really need it. Some long wearing formulas that are great for all skin types are the NYX Hi Definition Photogenic Concealer, Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, and the Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer.

If you’re going for blush, contour, highlight – the whole nine – the best way to keep everything from slipping and sliding around is to sandwich your products together. Think of your base; creams first, then powder, then a setting spray, right?
It’s the same idea; apply your cream blush, contour, or highlight, and then set it over the top with your powder blush, contour, and highlight. And remember, work in light, thin layers!! 

SET IT & FORGET IT! 

  As important as it is to use a good primer as your base, it’s equally as important to top it off with a setting spray! A good setting spray locks all your hard work into place, and helps settle any powder products so that they look less powdery and more like your own skin. Some of my faves are NYX Matte Finish Makeup Setting Spray, Urban Decays Chill Makeup Setting Spray and All Nighter Setting Spray, MUFE Mist & Fix Setting Spray, and the Mario Badescu Facial Spray (and the high end options all come in travel sizes, so you don’t have to sell your soul for a good setting spray!)

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What are some of your favorite summer beauty products? How do you keep them from melting away when temperatures soar?! Leave me comments and let me know!

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LOTS OF LOVE!!

Maybelline SuperStay 24 Hour Concealer – HOT OR NOT?

  
I have spent many years, and many hours perusing the beauty section of every drugstore and superstore I come across, on a quest for a concealer that covers everything, but feels lightweight and LASTS through anything. And the fruits of my labor have yielded none other than Maybelline SuperStay 24 Hour Concealer. For around $7 at Walmart and other drugstores, this is something that really gives you bang for your buck. Available in I believe 5 shades, it’s hard to NOT find one that will match you perfectly. 

When I initially purchased this, I hated it. It dried too quickly for me to properly blend it out. Let it be said that there is a learning curve to this product. I found the best way to apply it is over a primer, and then in small areas, working quickly to blend it out with a damp sponge, like the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge ($6, Ulta). I actually prefer this sponge for this product as this concealer tends to stain the sponge, so I’d rather not ruin an expensive BeautyBlender ($20, Sephora) with it. 

So on any given day, whether I need a little or a lot of coverage, I apply a primer, and for most days it’s just my Fruit of the Earth 100% Aloe Vera Gel, and then dab the concealer on, working in small sections of my face (ie my chin, one dark circle from hell at a time, you get the idea) until everything is covered. And a little goes a long way, so you’ll find that one little tube of this potent stuff lasts a long time. Afterwards, I spritz with a setting spray like NYX Cosmetics Dewy Finish Setting Spray ($8, Ulta) or anything you prefer, and then continue on with whatever makeup I’m applying that day. I prefer not to apply powder over this because then it can get a little cakey and uncomfortable. On its own, and applied in thin layers, it looks like natural skin. And as a bonus, it’s sweatproof. Believe me. I applied this one day, and then went out to do some yard work and mowing in the hot sun and humidity, and as I was sweating away and wiping at my face from time to time, I had forgotten that I’d put it on, and when I looked in the mirror hours later, I was delighted to find that it was still there! Which makes it ideal for summer, or really anytime you need to conceal something and you’re worried about it melting away. I can’t rave enough about this stuff!! Definitely one of my holy grail concealers!! And with a 9 month old son, I don’t have time to touch up throughout the day, much less check the mirror to make sure everything is where I put it that morning. 

Have you guys tried it? What are YOUR thoughts? Or do you have any other favorite concealers? I’d love to hear from you!! 

And if you’re not already, go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito. 

   – Donna