Based on the severity of this treacherous winter we’ve just encountered, it’s time to prepare for a similarly extreme summer. But being a girly, we want our face-beat efforts to not be in vain and still have it survive the heat of the summer.
Here are a couple of tips and tricks to avoid the much-dreaded makeup melt-off:
1. Primer! Primer! Primer!
I’ve always been told how important primer is and until I actually bought it and tried it, I didn’t understand its purpose. Now that I know better, I do better. After prepping the skin, and giving the products a few seconds to absorb, I make sure to prime the skin, prepping it for the application of makeup. Primer ensures that products stay intact for longer by creating a base that grips the products to your skin. I use a three-in-one primer, and setting spray by Yardley. It primes and hydrates the skin and also acts as a setting spray. It is also sulphate-, paraben- and alcohol-free so you know all the skin baddies have been removed. Get yours at Clicks.
2. More heat, less makeup
With climbing temperatures, you want to limit the amount of products you use on your face. The more products you use, the higher the chances of smudging and melting. Try to stick with your basics, such as your foundation or base, concealer, maybe some liner or eye shadow, blush and/or bronzer and lip colour.
3. Concealer over foundation
Instead of an entire face of foundation, opt for spot concealing. Since concealer is thicker than foundation, the chances of it running are much slimmer than foundation or base running.
4. Longwear products are your best friend
Longwear products are designed to withstand the entire day, so make sure you purchase products that state that they will last for 24 or 16 hours. Similarly, opt for waterproof products, which will also prevent smudging and melting as a result of sweat.
5. Try blotting paper
Rihanna had the marketing moment of the century at the Superbowl when in the middle of her halftime performance, she paused to blot her face with Fenty blotting paper. The queen of inclusive makeup made waves in that 2-second pause but also shed light on blotting paper – a product I never thought of before. Makeup experts tend to be in agreement with her and are moving away from powder in the warmer months as it tends to clog the pores. If your face does a little bit more than glowing in summer, opt for blotting paper or even a tissue and dab the skin to soak up excess sweat.
While summer may be my favourite time of the year, sweating off my expensive products is definitely something other than what I want a repeat of. All that time and effort spent on a face beat is something we want to enjoy for as long as possible.
Compiled by: Marian Volkwyn
First published by Woman & Home
Also see: WATCH: Woman adds relaxer to her brows ending in a disaster
