Cool Make-Up Tips for Hot Days!

We’ve all heard about it, and we’ve all certainly felt its effects. Mother Nature’s fury unleashed on the not-so-unsuspecting lot of us in the form of global warming. Yes, we SHOULD have known better ; yes, we should have seen it coming; yes, the geeks were right; yes, they did try to warn us; and yes, many of us are still in denial. Let’s face it, folks, the weather is going bonkers; waxing bipolar at every turn, and leaving us with one certainty: uncertainty.

Back on the Philippine islands, summer is officially in, hoodwinking all of us just as we were enjoying the nice, cool temperature brought by the Siberian winds. Bye-bye layered clothing, hello bare essentials.

Short of stripping down to our undies, there are things we can do to help us stay cool when things get hot: wear light and natural fabrics, sandals, slippers, and open shoes. And – gasp! – way less make-up.

Guys (and by that I do mean the male populace), this is where you can now zone me out. Unless of course you wish to be an authority on beauty tips, then by all means keep reading.

Heavy make-up in the heat is not only an uncomfy no-no, making your face feel thick and sticky-icky as freshly mixed concrete; it is all an unsightly no-no, as it tends to crack and cake.

But fear not, you need not bare it all. Here are some tips to keep you looking fresh-faced and cool and avoid that dreaded make-up meltdown:

1. Slap on some sunscreen. This is the very first step, to protect from the heat and sun, and to keep your skin hydrated. Choose a lightweight, non-greasy, non-comedogenic (in English, one that won’t clog your pores) kind specially formulated for the face. I personally am a sucker for the Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30 from the Pevonia Botanica line. Works like a charm!

2. Go for flawless! Keep the dessert off your face and on your plate, and pick a foundation that won’t cake or melt on you. Cakey or melting foundation is a common problem in hot weather, especially if you choose a product that is heavy and rich to the touch. My pick would be a mineral-based, lightweight powder foundation, which still offers coverage, without looking like a mask; settling into creases, crinkles or wrinkles (my absolute peeve!); or going all cakey on you. Some awesome brands out there include MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, and Sephora’s Bare Minerals SPF 15 Foundation. I like to use a large, round make-up brush for application, buffing the powder in even, circular strokes to create a perfect finish. Oh, an added tip: after applying the powder, spray a light mist of mineral water on your face and let this air dry. This adds to the flawless finish, as well as helps the powder set, to create lasting perfection.

3. The eyes have it. Pay special attention to the eyes, as they will be the focal point of your bare look. You will need a lash curler, and good waterproof or smudge-proof mascara. Sweat tends to make mascara clump and run, and unless you are aiming for the raccoon look, shy away from washable mascara in hot weather. Begin by crimping your lashes, for that nice wide-eyed, bright-eyed look (this is a MUST for women of a more mature age – it does wonders to brighten your face and defy the droops.) Then, apply even coats of mascara to your lashes (remember to roll the closed container between your palms a few times before application to de-clump the mascara. It is a common mistake to plunge the wand in and out of the mascara tube – this will only cause your product to dry out faster.) Wait a few seconds in between applications, allowing each coat to dry. Keep coats to two, maximum. My best picks are Revlon PhotoReady 3D Volume Waterproof Mascara, CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara, and Maybelline Magnum Volum’ Express Waterproof Mascara. Remember to keep a good eye make-up remover handy, to avoid unnecessary rubbing of your eyes (I use cold-pressed virgin coconut oil to remove all my make-up.) Finish off by grooming your eyebrows with some light-tone eyebrow pencil and some clear mascara. MAC’s Eyebrow Mascara is one of my faves for this job.

4. Be a Blushing Beauty. Use a bronzer of blush to brighten your face, and create a healthy, natural glow. Smile, and apply a bit of colour with a soft blush brush (Kabuki brushes are hot for this job, as they create a softer, naturally flushed look) to the apples of your cheeks. You may also opt for a nice, rosy cheek stain, but remember that all you need is a dab or two. And do make sure to spread the colour evenly with the tips of your fingers. Best powder blushes and bronzers for me are Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights bronzer, MAC Mineralize Blush in Gleeful or Warm Soul shades, and Body Shop’s Lip and Cheek Tint.

5. Put on that Perfect Pout. And lastly, the lips – the POUTY lips. As a girl, I was taught that it isn’t nice to pout; granted, it isn’t – but it IS oh-so-sexy! Especially on a bare face. Grab a tube or pot of plumping lip gloss or plumping moisturizer for perfectly kissable lips. Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Collagen Active Lip Gloss (yes, a tad pricey, but oh-so-kissy! And its vanilla-mint scent is oh-so-yummy!) and DuWop Lip Venom (one of the very first, and now tried-and-tested, products on the lip-plumping scene) are my top two must-haves for this purpose.

So go on and bare it all and keep your cool in the heat! Well, not really totally bare; but that will be our little secret.