Heat Proof Makeup for Summer

Let's just be honest - it's getting hot as hell out there.  We all want to look extra cute during the summer, but is it worth being uncomfortable or clogging our pores? Nah. Most of the time when it's this hot you won't catch me wearing much makeup unless it's for something a little more special than the "day-to-day". So, if you ARE going to wear make up this summer (4th of July party, cookout, something you want to look good for) here's my tips to keep you comfortable and keep that make up ON! It took time to get that face on there! Don't let the heat and humidity ruin it in 3 minutes.

Beat The Heat:

Left to Right: Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, Neutrogena ion2 Complex Gel Serum

1. MOISTURIZE!

 If you think depriving your face of moisture will make you less oily - YOU'RE WRONG! Please don't neglect moisturizing your skin. Giving your skin the moisture it needs is BEST way to prevent it from producing mega amounts of oil. During the summer I like to use GEL moisturizers instead of lotion based formulas. This Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream is great for summer because it is lightweight and absorbs completely, all while giving you the moisture you really need. Always try to get most of your moisture in before going to bed, but if you moisturize before applying make up make sure you give it a few minutes to fully absorb. Pat it into your skin, don't use too much, give it time until your skin feels like there's nothing on it.

Left to Right: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden, Urban Decay De-Slick in a Tube, Revlon PhotoReady Primer, Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray.

2. Prep For Make Up

Priming is super important. A makeup setting spray, like this one, can make your makeup last substantially longer. I spray it on my face before primer/foundation AND after all of my face make up (foundation, blush, powder).

If you're super oily like me, sometimes you may want a mattifying gel. This Urban Decay one works REALLY well but you must use the TINIEST amount. Seriously, a little itty bitty tiny amount of this goes a long way. Only apply to the places you get most oily. I know NYX has come out with the shine killer and some other brands have cheaper versions of this, but I haven't tried them--I need to! (Oil-absorbing sheets also work for post-application "clean up".)

Or do you want an all-in-one? The best all around product for prepping in the summer is a primer that perfects the skin, doesn't accentuate dry patches, and controls oil; Revlon Photoready is my favorite all-around primer for summer.

Eye area- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden is my favorite eye primer because it lays down a color base and evens out your eyelid, but is the absolute best at keeping oil away or preventing eye make up slip (better staying power than even the original Urban Decay Primer Potion).

Left: Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Foundation, Right: L'oreal Magic Beautifier BB Cream, Front: Physician's Formula Conceal Rx

3. Select Your Foundation Carefully 

When I want lightweight coverage I usually turn to a tinted moisturizer or BB Cream. The L'oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream has the best staying power of lightweight foundations/BB creams that I've tried; love it for this reason! But I will say that the light is a little too pink on me (really sad since I like it so much). If I want really good coverage I will go ahead and use my Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Foundation but sheer it out really well with a damp beautyblender or wet foundation brush.

Whatever concealer you use on your blemishes should also be of a drier consistency; most full-coverage concealers are. Physician's Formula Coneal RX is great; just make sure you blend it out really well.

Left to Right: Burt's Bees Rejuvenating Lip Balm, Maybelline Super Stay 10-Hour Stain Gloss, Nyx Cream Blush in Natural

4. Cream Products or Stains!

 I can't get enough of cream products/stains during the summer. If you find one that is pigmented enough, you can use the tiniest amount and wear it underneath powder (which we all know sets and adds better staying power). Nyx Rouge Cream Blush, Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blush, all work great!

Lip stains are also wonderful for summer because you don't want to have a sticky gloss or lipstick on - trust me, it's just going to get everywhere. Melt off your face, stick in your hair; all around bad situations. Normal felt tip lip stains can sometimes be too drying and cling to drier areas; not cute. Opt for a moisturizing gel-like formula, blend it real well and top it with some chapstick or balm to keep away the flaky-looking color. {{I need to try the new L'oreal glossy stains, anyone tried those?}}

Left: BH Cosmetics Matte Eyeshadows, Right: Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

5. Powder, POWDER, Powder! 

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder is the best setting powder to keep your oil at bay. (You can see that my has been used and abused until it broke.)  Set that face! I also like to make sure that I set my undereye concealer and eye makeup. Setting underneath my eyes with a very light powder is helpful because it prevents mascara/liner from traveling down my face. If I have on any kind of liner, (liquid, pencil, pen) I will set it with a powder eyeshadow.

Don't let the heat beat your beauty! Get out there.

I'd love to hear what you all use to keep your summer make up fresh - always looking for new ways to do things! Let me know!