Tip #1 – Prime Your Base
Let’s start right at the beginning and talk about makeup preparation! Makeup that sticks around all starts right at the base and it’s important to give it a little bit of a helping hand. I never used to use primers, as I really hate the feel of silicones, but there are so many silicone-free primers available now! If you’re looking for something on the high street, I highly recommend the L'Oreal Paris LumiMagique Primer*. What I love about this one is that it’s incredibly light, but leaves the skin looking illuminated and glowing – just what you want on holiday! My favourite primer though is the Too Faced Hangover Primer which, although pricey, really packs a punch! It’s a beautiful blend of coconut water, probiotic based ingredients and skin revivers that work together. Once you’ve applied a layer of this onto the skin, not only does your makeup stick around all day, but you look more radiant and your skin looks plump and hydrated.
Tip #2 – Apply foundation in light layers with a beautyblender
I used to think that to make your makeup stick around, you needed to apply a nice thick layer to skin. When in fact all it achieved was a really thick, cakey finish, which practically peeled off the skin. I’ve found in recent years that it’s actually all about the light layers, which you then gradually build up. I’ve personally found the best way to do this is with a beautyblender* – it allows your foundation to really bed into the skin, giving you a perfect finish without heavy finish. Simply wet your sponge and then ‘bounce’ on your foundation, for a glowing finish that lasts and lasts.
Tip #3 – Use cream eyeshadow to help your eye look to stick around
Another misconception that I used to have, is that anything cream based would slip and slide around my face. When in fact, the cream products are the ones with the best staying powder! When I’m away I tend to reach for a product like the Cream Eyeshadow Sticks by Rosie for Autograph*. I essentially draw the crayon all over the eye and then blend out the edges, they glide on so smoothly and the formula feels like butter. If I’m out in the day I leave it there, the pigment lasts all day and doesn’t crease in the heat. If I’m going out in the evening, I’ll apply powder eyeshadow over the top and the cream eyeshadow keeps everything in place.
Tip #4 – Always opt for a waterproof mascara
Now I always choose a waterproof mascara whatever the weather, but in the heat, it’s more important than ever. I have to admit that I’ve tried a lot of waterproof mascaras in my time, but my favourite right now is the Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara*. Of course this Too Faced mascara needs very little introduction, so I was really happy to see that there is a waterproof version. The mascara offers extreme volume and dramatic lashes, plus you can add layer after layer for even more dramatic effects! This is the first waterproof mascara I’ve found that offers the waterproof aspect, without compromising on quality.
Tip #5 – Use matte liquids to give your lips some staying power
Of course, your lips need a little bit of help no matter where you are, but there is nothing worse than a smudged lip to ruin your holiday snaps. I’ve found that the best way to avoid this is using a matte liquid lip, such as the Sleek Matte Me Liquid Lip Gloss*. They glide onto the lips in one easy application, it then sets in place and doesn’t cake, flake or dry out. It’s a very quick and easy way to give yourself a comfortable lip that wears all day long!
Tip #6 – Always set your makeup in place
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt and stuck by, it’s setting my makeup in place every single day, so there’s no way I’ll be skipping it in the warmer climates! My favourite product for this is the Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder* - which I’ve not been without since 2014! One swoosh of this powder enhances the hold of your makeup for 16 hours. It’s translucent, so it doesn’t spoil your base and it’s even packed with SPF30. It's incredibly fine, so I just use a fan brush to apply the setting powder and it keeps my makeup in place all day, every day. It's a lifesaver! A fantastic high street alternative is the Rimmel Insta Fix & Matte Powder which again is a translucent pressed powder, offering a matte finish. It perfects the skin and leaves it looking mattified all day.
If you’re more of a setting spray fan (I personally do both in the heat), you’ll love the Laura Geller Spackle Mist*. It’s a fantastic all-rounder that primes, sets and refreshes makeup – in just one, easy step – anytime, anywhere. What I love about this is that you it instantly absorbs into the skin, meaning that with on spritz you’re good to go, without spoiling your makeup underneath! It uses Aloe Vera Extract to repair and moisturise, Caffeine to reduce puffiness, plus loads of other lovely ingredients.
Tip #7 – Blot, blot, blot…
Despite blotting powders being the oldest trick in the book, it took be a long time to even realise they existed! I actually remember walking around 40-degree heat in Washington, dabbing myself with a tissue that then dispersed all over my face! Blotting papers like the Mary Kay Beauty Blotters* make blotting incredibly simple, giving you the ability to remove oil, without disturbing your makeup. You simply lay them over the skin and the papers instantly absorb excess oil. It’s such a genius idea, yet so many people neglect this step in their routine!
So there you have it, my top seven tips for keeping your makeup in place all day long! If you have any extra tips, I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!
