Melting makeup isn’t pretty and our usual beauty arsenal is powerless against heat and humidity, often leaving us more molten than made up. To help us combat the summer sun, we asked Chicago and LA-based makeup artist Jen Brown to share her favorite melt-, smudge- and smear-proof products for fresh-faced beauty all summer long.
We All Scream for Sunscreen
Duh! We all know sunscreen is a must, especially in the summer months. Tip: If you protect your skin from the sun, you won’t need to wear as much makeup in the long run. Brown loves Vichy’s Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50, a lightweight formula that can be worn alone or layered under makeup.
Keep Your Eye on the Primer
“I think it’s super important to wear an eyeshadow primer in the warmer months,” Brown says. Even if you forgo eyeshadow in the summer, Brown says a good primer will prevent any eye makeup—including mascara and liner—from smudging, and lock it in place all day.
Lip Lock
When the weather gets warmer, kiss your lipsticks goodbye and try a stain instead. “I am in love with Makeup Forever’s Aqua Rouge Lip Stain,” Brown says. Apply it like a gloss and it will dry to a long-lasting finish that is 100% waterproof, melt proof and smudge proof.
Set it Straight
Make your T-zone a shine-free zone with a swipe of loose powder. For long lasting shine control, Brown says a lightweight set powder over any liquid products—like foundation or concealer—is key. She likes Makeup Forever’s Super Matte Loose Powder.
In the Blink of An Eyelash
In this season of weddings, boating and barbeques, we can’t afford to have our mascara running down our faces. The new frontier of waterproof mascara is a series of tubes. “I’m a huge fan of tube mascaras,” Brown says. Unlike traditional mascara, tube mascara sheaths each individual lash in a tiny protective tube. “Even if you sweat, cry or swim,” Brown says, “this stuff isn’t coming off.”
You Are Ready for This Gel-ly
If your eye makeup tends to migrate south during the summer, Brown suggests using a gel liner. Her current fave is by Inglet. “It’s super smudge-proof and the colors are amazing!” she says.
Cheek to
Cheek
“[Blush] never wants to stay on!” Brown says. She suggests a stain instead, and likes cult-favorite Benetint by Benefit, which creates a natural flush and lasts all day. “Just be careful,” Brown warns, “a little goes a long way.”
Lay the Foundation
Foundation is a tricky (and sticky) business in the summer months. Brown recommends a lightweight formula that is also waterproof. “MAC’s Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation is pretty great,” she says, “It can be built up or toned down and it won’t budge for 15 hours.”
Brow Wow!
Frame your gorgeous face with full, shapely brows and you’ll need little else but mascara and lip-gloss. It Cosmetics’ Build a Brow Waterproof 5-in-1 Microfiber Cream Stain (“What a mouthful!” says Brown) is a fibrous formula that bonds to eyebrow hairs, creating fuller, natural looking brows “that won’t budge from morning to night,” Brown says.
Set It and Forget It
Perfect for a wedding or event, setting spray will keep your makeup from roaming around your face. “It forms a temperature-controlled seal over all of your hard work,” Brown says.
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