Photo: Jamie Shields, Makeup: Susan Donoghue
How annoying is it when you spend your time doing really pretty makeup, only to arrive at your destination with a sticky, sweaty, and oily-looking face?! When summer hits in NYC and we are dealing with heat and humidity, it feels impossible to prevent. Here are some tips that I hope will help you keep your foundation intact this summer.
Step 1: When you are preparing your skin for makeup, choose a lightweight moisturizer. This is one of the few times where I recommend skipping a medium or heavy face cream. (Unless you have specific skin issues such as dry flaking skin). Try switching to a hydrating face serum.
Step 2: Sun protection. I like to apply a broad screen SPF of 30 or above. Use enough to really cover your face. It’s tempting to skip this step, but think about all of the hard work we do with our retinoids, lasers, and other skin treatments. By not using enough sunblock, we are just undoing this work, not to mention possibly exposing ourselves to skin cancer.
Step 3: Mist your face with a setting spray, and let it dry for about 30 seconds.
Inglot Makeup Brush 21T ($27)
Step 4: Using a flat foundation brush and a loose translucent powder, gently pat the powder over your forehead, nose, chin, cheeks, and under the eyes. Now you are ready to apply your foundation.
Photo: Jamie Shields, Makeup/Hair: Susan Donoghue
Step 5: Not everyone needs to use primer. I don’t use it on myself, simply because I don’t want to do that extra step! However, if your skin is on the oily side, or you want to blur the fine lines on your skin, this is when you would apply your primer.
Step 6: The foundation application will depend upon the amount of coverage that you want.
For sheer coverage, just use clean fingers to dot on the foundation, and blend out with the warmth of your fingers.
For medium coverage, apply with fingers or a brush, then blend with a damp beauty blender (I like to moisten mine with a rosewater and glycerin spray).
Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin spray ($10.49)
For the record, I am not a fan of full-coverage makeup, especially in the heat of summer!
However, if you prefer heavier coverage or “flawless”-looking skin, squeeze a few drops of foundation onto the back of your hand. Dip your buffing brush into it and blend completely into the skin. You can go back in with more product to get the coverage that you want. Start at the center of your face and blend the excess to the edge of the face, below the chin, and onto the neck. Use your moistened Beauty Blender to press foundation into the skin.
Step 6: Blot your face.. Although this seems counterintuitive, gently removing the excess product will prevent the makeup from creasing, and transferring from your face onto whatever touches it. Fold a facial tissue over your hand and blot away the excess makeup. You will probably notice that the tissue picks up excess product and oil.
Step 7: Go back to that translucent powder, this time using a damp beauty blender. Roll a small amount of the loose powder on the areas where you get excess shine on your face. Now you are ready to finish the rest of your makeup.
Stay tuned for my next blog where I will share some more ideas for summer-proofing the rest of your makeup routine. As always, thanks for reading!
Read below to see some products that I have tried, and recommend.
Serums for dehydrated skin: Drunk Elephant B-hydra intensive hydration gel ($52), Physicians Formula Skin Booster Vitamin Shot Hydrating ($13.49)
Moisturizer with sun protection: Supergoop Glow Screen SPF 40 ($36), CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($17.99)
Setting spray: Elf Cosmetics Makeup Mist & Set ($3)
Translucent powder: Boots Perfect Light Loose Powder ($11.99), Kat Von D Lock-it Setting Powder ($30)
Foundation:
Sheer coverage: Tarte Maracuja Tinted Hydrator ($29)
Medium coverage: Wet & Wild Photo Focus Foundation ($5.99)
Full coverage: Cover FX Power Play Foundation ($44)