In the scorching heat of summer, even the most skilled makeup artists face a challenge: keeping their creations intact when temperatures soar. But fear not, for these beauty experts have a few tricks up their sleeves to ensure your makeup endures the sweltering season. Let's dive into the secrets they swear by, and uncover the art of surviving extreme heat with a flawless face.
The Power of Lightweight Preparation
One of the most common mistakes we make in the heat is over-preparing our skin. Leiya Phinao Ningshen, a renowned M·A·C Cosmetics India National Artist, advises against over-moisturizing before makeup. Instead, she recommends lightweight, fast-absorbing hydration that balances the skin without making it overly emollient. This approach ensures that your makeup doesn't break down and slide throughout the day. Amanda K, another makeup artist, echoes this sentiment, starting every makeup application with a cleansing and lightweight, water-based skincare routine before applying a mattifying gripping primer.
Hila, who has worked with the likes of Naomi Campbell and Maya Jama, has an unexpected trick up her sleeve. She loves using liquid magnesium as a primer, which helps control oil and sweat, keeping makeup looking fresh for longer. This technique is a testament to the importance of skincare in supporting makeup rather than competing with it in the heat.
Lighter Base, Stronger Base
The instinct to reach for heavier coverage during summer is understandable, but professional artists tend to do the opposite. Hila suggests using a tinted SPF as the foundation base and colour-correcting only where needed. This approach keeps the skin looking fresh and prevents makeup from feeling heavy. Amanda K agrees, recommending spot correction instead of a full-coverage base whenever possible. Less product means less opportunity for separation, creasing, and patchiness throughout the day.
Ningshen relies on the same principle, applying makeup in thin, well-blended layers rather than heavy coats of product. This technique creates a more durable finish that wears beautifully throughout the day. By using a lighter base, you allow your skin to breathe, preventing the heavy, caked-on look that can be so unflattering in the heat.
The Layering Trick
If there's one technique that appears repeatedly in professional kits, it's strategic layering. Nadine Elias, a Dubai-based makeup artist, recommends using setting spray throughout the application process, not just as the final step. Apply it before foundation after skincare, after applying your base, and for finishing touches. This technique ensures that your makeup stays in place and lasts longer.
Elias also recommends layering cream blush with powder blush to prevent colour from fading in the heat. Hila uses a similar technique with blush and bronzer for added longevity. One of Elias's favourite backstage tricks is spraying a concealer brush with setting spray before blending to maximize wear time. These layering techniques are a testament to the power of strategic application, ensuring that your makeup stays put even in the most challenging conditions.
Strategic Setting
When it comes to powder, the experts unanimously agree that more is not necessarily better. Ningshen focuses on areas prone to excess oil and perspiration, particularly the T-zone. Elias takes an equally targeted approach, blotting powder on the chin, nasolabial folds, and sides of the nose rather than the whole face. This targeted application ensures that your makeup stays in place without looking caked on.
She also recommends tubing mascara to avoid smudging, lip stains for lightweight colour that lasts, and dusting powder over lip liner before lipstick to extend wear time. These strategic setting techniques are a testament to the power of precision in makeup application, ensuring that your look stays intact even in the most humid conditions.
The Takeaway
The makeup that survives extreme heat is rarely the heaviest makeup in the room. Instead, longevity comes from lightweight preparation, strategic layering, and formulas that work with the skin rather than sitting on top of it. In summer, less really can be more. By following these tips and tricks, you can ensure that your makeup stays put even in the most challenging conditions. So, the next time you're facing a scorching summer day, remember these secrets and enjoy a flawless, heat-proof look all day long.
