It feels like all year we’re waiting for summer to arrive. Dreams of bronzed, dewy skin, perfect lashes and just that subtle flush of colour on the cheeks… Sometimes though, summer comes complete with running mascara, patchy bases and a sweaty look we just don’t want! To avoid a hot weather make-up meltdown, we’ve put together our top picks for summer that’ll perform on even the warmest days.
Primer
Whether the sun is shining as you head outdoors or you know your commute will have you feeling the heat, a primer is an essential in your kit, and these targeted formulas are a great way of addressing your skin’s concerns. If you find the heat sends your oilier complexion into overdrive, a mattifying primer will help to keep the slick look at bay. If your skin seems to eat up your foundation, especially when it’s warm out, a hydrating formula will help to keep your complexion looking more even. Primers also act as a make-up glue, helping to keep your foundation and concealer in place for longer – just what you need right now!
Our primer picks: Laura Geller Ethereal Spackle Make up Primer, Benefit Porefessional Face Primer, Bodyography Foundation Primer and Ciate Superfruit Burst Citrus AHA Primer.
Base
While we love a make-up free day in the sun, sometimes, you want a bit of coverage. Whether you’re having brunch with friends or heading into the office, a no-hassle base is a must on warmer days, and your normal foundation may not be up to the task. What we’re after here are base products that offer longevity, regardless of coverage, and that set in place once applied to the skin. Plus, many formulas incorporate SPF, so you can keep your delicate complexion protected from harmful rays while making sure your skin looks flawless.
Our base picks: IT Cosmetics Love IT Illumination collection, Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Hydrating Foundation Stick SPF 25, Bobbi Brown Skin Long Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15 and Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Make-Up SPF 10.
Powder
Powder can be a bit of a love/hate product, but when used in the right way, it can be a real savior on sweaty days. Not only does powder help to take down any unwanted shine, it also works to set your make-up in place for longer. It’s a really handy piece of kit to chuck in your handbag for easy retouches on the go, offering a hint more coverage and a smoother finish. You won’t be needing to re-do your foundation in a rush!
Our powder picks: Gade Mirage Mattifying Air Light Setting Powder, Lord & Berry Gran Finale Setting Powder, Gary Cockerill The Illusion Face Powder and IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores.
Eyes
Unfortunately, eye make-up is the first giveaway when it comes to a meltdown. We’ve all been there. The dreaded panda look. Whether you have streaming eyes on high pollen days, summer weddings where tears will be shed or just want to avoid smudges, budge-proof and water-resistant shadow sticks, eyeliners and mascaras are a hot weather staple. You can still create the dramatic eye look you’ve been dreaming of, but if a quick dip in the pool is on offer, you won’t have to worry about it all streaming down your face. Remember, water-resistant make-up can be trickier to get off, but we have plenty of cleansers available that can easily melt away your make-up, without tugging on your delicate skin. Or if you’re up for leaving the mascara off this season, a good serum can make all the difference when it comes to flutter-worthy lashes.
Our top water-resistant eye picks: Laura Geller Baked Kajal Longwear Eyeliner, UKLash Eyelash Conditioning Serum, Tarte Lights Camera Splashes Waterproof Mascara and bareMinerals Lash Domination Liquid Eyeliner.
Lips
Okay, maybe lipstick isn’t something we’re likely to sweat off, but hot days bring on a lot of drinks, which gradually break down your lip colour. When the sun is beating, we’ll be opting for sheer, moisturising formulas that’ll keep your pout perfectly hydrated. If the day calls for a bold lip though, a matte, long-lasting lip colour is the way forward, while a lip liner will help to give shape and that extra staying power. Don’t forget, blotting with tissue after applying will help to lock your lip colour in place, and you can build up intensity by adding another layer and blotting again.
Our top lip picks: Benefit Lovetint Lip & Cheek Stain, Gale Hayman Hollywood Rose Lip Collection, Bodyography Fabric Texture Lipstick and Bareminerals Barepro Longwear Lipstick.
Looking for even more make-up must-haves? You’ll find everything in our cosmetics department.
