We Want Your Summer Melty-Face-Proof Makeup Tips (Hair, Too, Please!)
Um, why isn’t her makeup running?
The answer to that question isn’t fair (waterproof mascara and liner, obviously). This has been on my mind lately because last week, when it was really hot and gross in New York, my pal and colleague Diana came up to me and said: “As I was sweating off my makeup on the subway platform, it got me thinking: What do experts do? Do you wait to put on makeup at work? Are there tricks? We should do a post about it!”
In this case, we = Prevention.com, where we both work. It was a great idea, so our beauty editor Nina put together this list of fun tips from readers and editors about how they battle melty-makeup face when it’s gross out. They were really fun to read (check them out, seriously) and there were a bunch of natural solutions in there too, including from moi. Here’s what I had to say:
“When it’s super hot, I prefer to use loose minerals set with an organic spray-on face toner. This evens out my skin without looking cakey or adding extra moisture, and it stays put for hours even when I’m sweaty. Also, be sure to keep blotting papers on hand. I love these from Tatcha because they don’t smudge my makeup. Finally, since I wear organic makeup for the most part—which means it isn’t waterproof—I don’t line my undereyes until I get to work.” —Siobhan O’Connor, Deputy Editor
As for hair, I’m all about the washing my hair backwards thing right now, using Acure. I forgo leaveins, and airdry whenever possible. Seems to be working.
But back to makeup: One thing about naturals, we all know, is that by and large they perform differently and they wear and feel distinct from conventional makeup. As these things go, I’m no real pro on the difference, because I never really wore makeup before we wrote the book, mascara and concealer-on-zits excepted. Now I love makeup! But without a sweet silicone-based primer and waterproof mascara, I’m sort of at a loss.
The obvious answer to this is: “Don’t wear a lot of makeup when it’s hot out”—but what if you want to? Or you have a job interview? Or you have a monster on your chin? What then?
Please, share your tips in the comments.
I use Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder. It’s not a clean brand, but the powder’s only ingredient is silica. I like it because it keeps my skin matte but also because it’s not colored, so it doesn’t rub off as visibly if I touch my face or need to wipe off some sweat (when it’s super gross out).
During hot weather I wear less makeup but the makeup I do wear I set with a spritz of rosewater. If I want long eyelashes I’ll curl them instead of wearing mascara or I’ll use a beet for lip stain and blush.
The only thing I’ve found that works (somewhat) is keeping it light, using powder to set everything, and then retouching multiple times throughout the day. I also keep a little travel bottle of witch hazel (with a few drops of a floral essential oil for scent) that I dab on before my retouches, which I find helps with feeling like I’m piling powder on top of grease.
In my experience mineral makeup seems to stick even harder when it gets wet (which is why mineral eyeshadow + water = crazy shiny paint for foiling.) I haven’t had a problem with much sweating off except my mascara, and it’s not a big deal to skip that.
I kind of suck at eyeliner so I always smudge it with my fingers after applying. It creates a subtler look, masks the imperfection of the line I drew, and if it runs a bit, it looks deliberate.
And it’s summer! Wear less makeup! I love a fresh-looking face with just some bronzer, highlighter, and mascara (top lashes only). Carry concealer in your purse and touch up as needed, but the less makeup you wear, the less it runs!
The only thing that’s been keeping my rms from sliding right off my face lately is powder. I mix a little bit of cornstarch, arrowroot, and kaolin clay and brush it across my cheeks, forehead and chin – wherever is most likely to be shine central. It doubles as a pretty awesome dry shampoo too!
I wear Alima mineral foundation/concealer, and it works well for any sort of weather. If there’s a “monster” to cover, the mineral foundation or the foundation layered over RMS uncover-up sticks through most anything. My finishing powder is my foundation mixed with kaolin and rice powder, and it keeps a glow without getting icky. I often use those awesome Tatcha papers too. In reality I just minimize makeup in hot weather, bu if I need color then I stick to mineral blush and less creamy lip colors, like stains/liners. Eyeliner without mascara is easier to fix if things go awry on a hot day.
For hair, I may as well give into the curl if it gets humid. Air drying and a leave-in conditioner or oil, and sea salt spritz later in the day if it needs reviving. Also, I’ve developed a nice collection of headbands. : )
You know your trapped in the middle of a cold summer when listening to other women complain about melting make up makes you envious.
I agree re: mineral makeup. I love Christopher Drummond, which I discovered accidentally as I realized the main reason mineral makeup didn’t work for me was because of some of the irritants it can contain. Christopher Drummond’s mineral makeup doesn’t contain those irritants, but does have some other great ingredients like essential oils (no cakeiness), and organic corn start/kaolin clay. I’m not affiliated at all, but I do recommend the line to anyone who has maybe had issues with mineral makeup being too drying or irritating for their skin. Just a tip- you can order Christopher Drummond from Nature’s Basin and return if it doesn’t work for you. Sadly the Christopher Drummond website doesn’t allow any returns on makeup (not cool, in my opinion). Also, I went a shade lighter than I expected to. I started my ordering one of the kits and it ended up being a great deal- full size products for much less than what you would pay separately. The bronzer is the most natural I’ve tried. Hope this is helpful to someone!
I’m crazy about the wash your hair backwards method. Lately my best hair days seem to be when I start with coconut oil. then conditioner, followed by a little clean shampoo. No frizz and super soft. Thanks for the tip NMDL!
I live in Northern California where warm weather lasts nearly 8 months out of the year. That why I love rice flour! what a saving grace in hot weather. I generally stick with mineral make-up (Alima or purminerals) and set it with a few sprays from Kahina toner and then give myself a light dusting of rice flour. Works great!! Also, I tend to avoid mascara on hot days and play it up a bit on the eye shadow (all Alima here) after I prime my lids with a tiny bit of rice flour. No melting here.
I love reading everyone’s comments here. Nice to see lots of fans of Alima Pure, RMS, Kahina, Christopher Drummond, etc. I am an eco-pro makeup artist and just wrote an article about makeup melt . With love and respect to the ladies of NMDL, I offer the link to you here in case it helps. It’s not my intention to self-promote, just honestly I think someone may appreciate the advice. http://www.truthinaging.com/makeup/how-to-deal-with-makeup-melt
Kristen, you’re more than welcome to share! :)
I keep duplicates of all my makeup in a basket
at work. On days that I ride my bike in, I just clean up
and apply everything when I get there.
I try to put less stuff on my skin, which works quite well. I mix my foundation (Juice Beauty) with Pai moisturizer (they’re quite mattifying), and this evens my skin wonderfully while mattifying it.
Then RMS concealer and Hemp Organics lip tint as blush. I find these blend with your skin instead of sitting on top, so they don’t really run at all. For the eyes, my usual Hauschka liner and mascara (never had trouble with running eye make up fortunately).
Then, if I feel I need it I might dab my face a bit with a moist paper towel when I get to work to clean up, but my make up really stays put when I use these products.
Also, though, a lot of people I know just apply their make up at work in the morning.
I put Mineral Fusion concealer on my dark circles, curl the outer corner of my lashes with my Japonesque metal precision lash curler, and put on some 100% Pure watermelon lip balm which is the perfect natural muted pink. The Mineral Fusion concealer isn’t the cleanest but it’s the best that I’ve tried–including RMS–and I’m picky about this because dark circles make anyone look drab and unhealthy. Still, this concealer doesn’t completely fix my problems and I’ve been looking into diet, allergies, and lifestyle to fix the root my dark circle issues. I carry my concealer and some blotting papers or I’ll even use any paper towel/napkin available. About once or twice a week, I’ll put on some geoGIRL mascara which is, again, not the cleanest but is THE best mascara I have ever used. It never runs and I can buy it at my local grocery for under four dollars.
All of these tips are great and totally work! I also use a good brush to apply foundation and/or concealer only where needed, and use a sponge to blend it in, instead of my fingers. I find using tools helps to control the amount of product that goes on (read: less), and lets me touch my face less (read: one less thing that could contribute to a breakout). Make sure to clean your brushes & sponges regularly!
I’ve been so pleased with the performance of my new W3ll People Narcissist Foundation stick. (And bonus, they now sell it at Henri Bendel’s!) It stays put and doesn’t break me out.
And for my curly hair, the cardinal rule of curly hair care applies a zillion times over in this weather: don’t touch it after the final dose product goes in. Ever.
My trick for avoiding undereye mascara/liner transfer when it’s humid is a bit of cornstarch mixed with an organic face powder dusted all over the lid pre-makeup & just under the outer under eye area. Too far in to the inner eye & it starts creasing a bit & can look dry. Keeps the critical area dry without showing much. Since I live in ultra-humid Ontario, this is critical
I don’t know how green Physician’s Formula Organic powder is, but it was the first one I’d ever seen, when I was first going green years ago. (Pre-book!) Nice texture, but their lightest shade was too dark for me, so I cut it with talcum powder originally, and switched to cornstarch post-book. The cornstarch is a little grainy, so I might try rice flour; thanks, Cecille!
I’ll try the reverse shampoo more often; I only shampoo 2x a month now, but I do do the reverse. I’m desperate to understand my hair’s multiple bizarre humidity-related behviours! Anything strong enough to control the frizz & floof (technical term) leaves my fine hair limp & stringy, and anything that doesn’t flatten it doesn’t hold up to the humidity.
Does anyone else have this? Products or no products, within a few hours of leaving the house, my hair has resumed it’s natural (& unfortunately unflattering) shape & limp floof. I would love some suggestions! I have fine, thin, bent hair (not quite wavy, not really straight) with piles of frizz. I use Jason Sea Kelp organic conditioner to co-wash every other day (helps). I am beginning to plot cutting it off (again), but I love long hair…
luckily, san francisco rarely gets to those super melty make-up days! i’m finding that vapour organic beauty soft focus is holding up well under hot hot stage or camera lights at work and those nice sunny days – usually a quick spray of kahina toning mist or dr. hauschka translucent face powder (tapioca starch) keeps any potential melting at bay. if i’m doing up the eyes, cargo plant love eyeliner, a little jane iredale lash extender & mascara w/ a thin coat of blinc mascara (def not clean, but locks down the natural stuff ) keeps any tammy faye baker impersonations at bay.
luckily, san francisco rarely gets to those super melty make-up days! i’m finding that vapour organic beauty soft focus is holding up well under hot hot stage or camera lights at work and those nice sunny days – usually a quick spray of kahina toning mist or dr. hauschka translucent face powder (tapioca starch) keeps any potential melting at bay. if i’m doing up the eyes, cargo plant love eyeliner, a little jane iredale lash extender & mascara w/ a thin coat of blinc mascara (def not clean, but locks down the natural stuff ) keeps any tammy faye baker impersonations from happening!
For hair, I usually just wash and go and let my wavy/curly mop do what it wants. Sometimes I spritz it with a solution of about 30% aloe vera gel and 70% distilled water, which makes my curls happy when they’re starting to seperate into frizz. I’m also a big fan of french braids during the summer!
I tend to only wear makeup on special occasions, so I’m not much help there!
I am totally getting addicted to this blog! Love the community of women on here! I just learned a setting trick last night actually from a makeup artist friend. Take apart a tissue by removing the ply’s from each other so it becomes “1-ply”. Lay it onto your face, especially in t-zone area, and then ‘apply’ loose powder over top of it. This will reduce the chance of looking to cakey from the powder, but will apply the powder softly and reduce any shine.
Other than that, I use a translucent setting powder from Sappho Cosmetics that I sell at my beauty bar, and apply it throughout the day if I get too shiny. Even works as a dry shampoo if my bangs get greasy mid day.
Lauren, thank you so much for the tip about Christopher Drummond!thought it was just me who had issues with mineral makeup! Whether it was something off stay or even Alima, I ALWAYS got a bright red, dry, itchy, rash on my eyelid. It was so frustrating, as everyone raved about Alima, and I wanted to love it! Um absolutely going to have to try Christopher Drummond!! Thank you so much, that’s amazingly helpful!
As for tips…I haven’t got any myself, but I’m excited to try rice flour/arrowroot powder as a setting powder! Thanks, ladies!!
@ Sarah L.- No problem! Definitely check it out. I just remembered that the CD website might have sell sample jars of the foundation…
I like to do light layers of makeup. And keep your application simple in the summer. Conceal, loose powder, mascara, and focus the color on your cheeks and lips. Minimal melt should follow. Love everyone’s suggestions. Gonna try the cornstarch for sure!
In the summer less is more! I love Marie Veronique Organics Everyday Sheer Coverage. It’s a sunscreen + tinted moisturizer all in one. It’s super sheer and does not melt in the heat. I actually wear it to hot yoga everyday.