How to Keep Your Makeup in Place on Hot City Days
Summer in the city can be lovely, but it is not always kind to your makeup. Between warm pavements, crowded public transport and the sudden chill of air-conditioned shops, foundation can slide, mascara can smudge and that fresh morning look can fade before lunch. The good news is that a few simple changes to your routine can help your makeup last much longer on hot days.
Prepare Your Skin First
Long-lasting makeup starts with skin care. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and use a lightweight moisturiser, such as a gel or a light lotion, instead of a rich cream. Heavier products can make the skin feel greasy in the heat and give makeup less to hold on to.
Sunscreen is a must in summer, whatever your plans. Choose a broad-spectrum formula that feels comfortable on your skin and give it a few minutes to settle before you apply anything else. Many people find that a mattifying or non-greasy sunscreen works best under makeup.
Use a Primer Where You Need It
A primer can help makeup stay put, but there is no need to cover your whole face. Concentrate on the areas that tend to get shiny, which for many of us are the forehead, nose and chin. An eye primer or a little concealer on the lids also helps eyeshadow stay in place instead of creasing.
Go Lighter on Base Makeup
Hot weather is the perfect excuse to wear less. Swap a full-coverage foundation for a tinted moisturiser, a skin tint or a light layer of foundation, and use concealer only where you really need it. Thin layers move with your skin and are far less likely to look patchy by the afternoon. If you like a fresh, minimal look, my post on the natural makeup look has more tips.
Cream blush and bronzer can look lovely in summer, but powder versions often last longer on oily skin. Set the centre of your face lightly with a translucent powder and leave the rest of your skin with a little natural glow.
Choose Long-Wearing Eye and Lip Products
Waterproof or smudge-resistant mascara and eyeliner are worth having for summer. They hold up much better when it is humid or when you are hurrying between appointments. For lips, a lip stain or a long-wear lipstick lasts longer than a glossy formula, and a tinted lip balm is an easy option for relaxed days.
A setting spray is the final step for many people. A light mist over your finished makeup can help everything blend together and stay in place for longer.
Pack a Small Touch-Up Kit
Even with the best preparation, a long day in the heat calls for a quick refresh. Keep a few blotting papers, a small compact powder, your lip product and a mini sunscreen in your bag. Blot first before adding more powder, because layering powder over shine can make makeup look heavy. Reapplying sunscreen during the day matters too, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
Your hair can also help you stay cool and keep your face fresh. Pulling it up and away from your face is practical on warm days, and my summer hairstyles for city girls have a few easy ideas.
Summer makeup does not have to be complicated. Light layers, the right products and a small kit in your bag are usually enough to keep you looking fresh from your morning commute to evening drinks with friends.
