Summer makeup survival guide: How professionals keep their look fresh and flawless in extreme heat
The scorching summer months can be a challenge for even the most diligent makeup enthusiasts, but for professionals in the beauty industry, it's a whole different ball game. With their expertise, they've mastered the art of creating long-lasting, heat-resistant looks that defy the elements. Here's a deep dive into the secrets behind their success, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to beat the heat and keep their makeup intact.
Skin prep: The foundation of a flawless base
Leiya Phinao Ningshen, a renowned makeup artist who has worked with renowned designers and celebrities, emphasizes the importance of lightweight skincare. Over-moisturizing, she warns, can lead to a slippery foundation base, causing products to slide and separate throughout the day. Instead, she recommends fast-absorbing, lightweight hydration that balances the skin without overwhelming it. This approach is echoed by Amanda K, who starts every makeup application with a cleansing routine and lightweight, water-based skincare, followed by a mattifying primer.
Hila, a veteran artist who has worked with top models and celebrities, introduces an unexpected twist: liquid magnesium as a primer. This unique ingredient helps control oil and sweat, ensuring makeup stays fresh for extended periods. The key takeaway here is that skincare should support makeup, not compete with it, especially in the heat.
Lighter is better
Counterintuitive as it may seem, professionals opt for lighter coverage during summer. Hila suggests using a tinted SPF as a foundation base and color-correcting only where necessary. This approach keeps the skin looking fresh and prevents the heavy feeling that often accompanies summer makeup. Amanda K agrees, advocating for spot correction over full-coverage bases whenever possible. Less product means less chance of separation, creasing, and patchiness, ensuring a more durable finish.
Ningshen adds to this strategy by applying makeup in thin, well-blended layers rather than heavy coats. This technique creates a more durable finish that wears beautifully throughout the day.
The power of strategic layering
Strategic layering is a technique that appears repeatedly in the kits of professional makeup artists. Nadine Elias, a Dubai-based artist, recommends using setting spray throughout the application process, not just as a final touch. Applying it after skincare, before foundation, and for finishing touches ensures a more secure base. This technique is further enhanced by layering cream blush with powder blush to prevent color fading in the heat, and Hila's trick of using setting spray on a concealer brush for maximum wear time.
Less is more when it comes to powder
The experts unanimously agree that more powder is not always better. Ningshen focuses on areas prone to excess oil and perspiration, particularly the T-zone, using powder sparingly. Elias takes a similar approach, recommending targeted powder application on the chin, nasolabial folds, and sides of the nose. This targeted approach ensures that makeup is set without overloading the skin.
Additionally, Elias suggests using tubing mascara to avoid smudging and lip stains for lightweight, long-lasting color. Dusting powder over lip liner before lipstick extends wear time, demonstrating that less is indeed more in summer makeup.
Heat-proof products to keep in your kit
- Milk Hydro Grip Primer
- MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF15 24HR Matte Foundation
- Tarte Shape Tape™ Medium Coverage Radiant Concealer
- Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder
- Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara
- Benefit Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain
- Onesize On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray
In conclusion, surviving extreme heat with makeup requires a thoughtful approach, focusing on lightweight preparation, strategic layering, and formulas that work with the skin. By embracing these techniques and products, you can achieve a fresh and flawless look that defies the summer heat, just like the professionals do.
