My Hot Weather Makeup Must-Haves

The idea for this post came at a time when I was considering driving 40 miles an Argos to pick up a fan that was actually in stock. I know you non-Brits are bored of us U.K bunch talking about the weather but we’re really not that great at adapting to spells of heat that make you feel like a lump of slow-roasted lamb. I even went in the sea for the first time in 20 years (and it was enjoyable). Of course the heatwave was promptly cut short by rain, wind and I’m pretty sure there was even hail at one point. It’s Thursday at the time of writing this post, so who knows whether it will be spring, summer, autumn or winter by the time that this post goes live. However, I thought I’d go ahead with it anyway because you might be heading to a steamier climate sometime soon and be in need of some recommendations (Lily and I are off to New York tomorrow – SQUEAL), or perhaps the weather here will reach melting-point again. Who knows?

OK, let’s start with base. Of course a solid SPF is where you have to start in the summer – that’s non negotiable. There’s a few I love, but as I’m a fan of ones that feel like a nourishing moisturiser I’m currently into the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30. It leaves a workable amount of sheen to my skin without any hint of a white cast or greasiness. To go on top I use one of two options. I either go in with the It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream (I use Light in the summer), which provides coverage, even more SPF and stays put pretty well for something so dewy. Or, and I used to do this all the time when I worked in an office and needed something quick and easy in the mornings, I go for a tinted moisturiser that provides more glow than actual coverage and quickly dust a powder that has some coverage over the top to dim any redness and make it last longer. The Glossier Skin Tint in Medium and MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural in Light Plus, layer really well.

Cheek colour-wise I often keep it really simple, just going in with a bronzer – like the Make Up For Ever Pro Fusion Bronzer (I use M20) and letting my natural ruddiness work as blush, and sweat work as highlighter. To lock everything in though you can’t go wrong with the Urban Decay All-Nighter setting spray – it’s a classic and for good reason. I can never quite put my finger on exactly why it’s awesome and it might be a complete placebo effect, but I always feel like my makeup lasts longer whenever I spray this on after full-face application.

For eyes, sometimes I’m in the mood for cream eyeshadow and am convinced that lasts longer than powder, other times I’m in a powder mood and think that cream eyeshadow is a crease-y, darn mess. It depends what side of the bed I wake up on. One thing I always reach for though is some kind of waterproof mascara. Some people go for waterproof formulas only in the summer, however I wear them all year round as my eyelids moonlight as reservoirs of oil. My favourites aren’t the easiest to get hold of, but they’re both from the Asian market and that industry knows how to do no-budge formulas right. If it’s more of a natural fluttery look I’m after then I go for the Heroine Make Long & Curl Super Waterproof Mascara. However, if I want volume and thickness I go for the Fairydrops Scandal Queen Mascara which brings a serious boost to my elephant-like lashes.

I’m not someone who is too fussed by lip colour. I tend to apply it in the morning, pack it in my bag and then completely forget to reach for it for the rest of the day. So I’ve been trying to find formulas that last and last and last, so reapplying (or my lack of) becomes a thing of the past. The It Cosmetics Your Lips But Better All-Day Lip Liner Stains do exactly that and although the colour range isn’t exactly up my alley (it’s a little brown and plummy for me), the shades Blushing Nude and Pretty In Pink blend into a colour on my lips that I quite like. I just roughly work them all over my lips, smoosh them together and call it day. If I want some hydration though, I bloomin’ love the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors and have done for years. They provide a glossy lip, that’s non-tacky and feels like a balm on the lips. I often carry it in my bag instead of lip balm (much to Mark’s disgruntlement when he asks to borrow my balm).

HOW TO AVOID MAKEUP MELTDOWN

→ I always have a tendency when it’s hot just to pile it on to mop up any grease and cover all the redness that the heat undoubtably brings out, though actually, it’s much better to go for light layers and more of them to create a long-lasting sandwich of makeup.

→ Even if you’re adamantly against powder like I am (unless Glossier came out with one, I’d be all over that shiz), go for something thats sets but doesn’t blot. The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder does a great job of that.

→ Instead of carrying a tonne of products, I end up carrying around more tools. I like to have with me some cotton buds to mop up smudged eye makeup or mascara, a Beautyblender to bop out any makeup that gets caught around the nose area and the brush I’ve used for powder to dim down any grease.

→ Never underestimate the power of loo roll for coming to the rescue of a profusely sweaty armpit or a nose that looks like you could fry an egg on it.

Photos by Lauren Shipley

SHOP THE POST