Summer makeup survival guide: How professionals keep their look fresh and flawless
The heat is on, and so is the challenge for makeup artists to create looks that withstand the elements. From scorching temperatures to humidity, the summer months can be a makeup nightmare, but professionals have mastered the art of making their looks last. Here's a deep dive into the secrets they swear by, offering a fresh perspective on summer makeup.
The Power of Lightweight Preparation
Leiya Phinao Ningshen, a renowned M·A·C Cosmetics India National Artist, emphasizes the importance of balanced skincare. Over-moisturizing, she warns, can lead to makeup breakdown. Instead, opt for lightweight, fast-absorbing products that hydrate without overwhelming the skin. Amanda K, another top artist, agrees, advocating for cleansing and lightweight, water-based skincare before applying makeup. For a full-glam look, Hila suggests an unexpected primer: liquid magnesium. This unique approach helps control oil and sweat, ensuring makeup stays fresh for longer.
Less is More: The Lighter Base Approach
Counterintuitive as it may seem, professionals often opt for lighter coverage in summer. Hila recommends using a tinted SPF as a foundation base, avoiding heavy products that can feel heavy in the heat. Amanda K supports this, suggesting spot correction instead of full-coverage bases. By using less product, artists prevent separation, creasing, and patchiness, ensuring a more durable finish.
Ningshen adds, "Applying makeup in thin, well-blended layers creates a more durable finish that wears beautifully throughout the day."
Strategic Layering for Longevity
Layering is a key technique in the professional's arsenal. Nadine Elias, a Dubai-based artist, suggests using setting spray throughout the application process, not just as a final step. She recommends layering cream blush with powder blush to prevent color fading, and Hila employs a similar technique with blush and bronzer. One of Elias's favorite tricks is spraying a concealer brush with setting spray before blending, maximizing wear time.
Targeted Powder Application
When it comes to powder, less is indeed more. Ningshen focuses on areas prone to excess oil and perspiration, particularly the T-zone. Elias agrees, suggesting targeted powder application on specific areas like the chin, nasolabial folds, and sides of the nose. This approach ensures a fresh and flawless look without over-powdery coverage.
Heat-Proof Products to Keep in Your Kit
- Milk Hydro Grip Primer: Lightweight and gripping, it prepares the skin for a long-lasting makeup look.
- MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF15 24HR Matte Foundation: A tinted SPF foundation for a fresh base.
- Tarte Shape Tape™ Medium Coverage Radiant Concealer: For targeted color correction.
- Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder: A targeted setting powder for a flawless finish.
- Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara: Tubing mascara for smudge-free lashes.
- Benefit Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain: Lightweight color that lasts.
- Onesize On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray: A versatile setting spray for all-day freshness.
In the world of summer makeup, professionals understand that less is more. By focusing on lightweight preparation, strategic layering, and targeted application, they create looks that not only survive the heat but also look effortlessly fresh and flawless.
