Summer is a necessary evil, I suppose. A wasteland between spring and fall that must be endured. However, the question is how does one do so gracefully and looking swelter-free? I've put together some handy tips, taken from personal as well as professional experience based on surviving several summers of sweltering concrete heat both here and across the pond.
1. Tissues are Our Friends
Picture this: it's the afternoon and you're on the streetcar in the middle of August, sticking your face as close to the window as you can get without risking bugs in your teeth in an attempt to feel some sort of relief, when you happen to glance across the aisle and you see her. That woman on her way home from work, the misery of her day written all over her face. Well, caked might be the more appropriate term. Even from a distance, you can see the streams of sweat running down through layers of powder and foundation. Like the city's approach to roadwork, she has attempted to repair her sweat-ruined face by adding more makeup. And, like so many of our streets, it's just turned into a big ol' mess. But what's a lady to do?When it comes to these humid, hazy days of summer, I realize that my mother may have been onto something with her handbag stuffed with what seemed to be a neverending supply of tissues. Although she was never one for wearing much makeup, she did manage to instill in me the value of blotting. What's the point of layering more powder over top of a damp surface? It's simple chemistry - powder plus liquid equals paste. However, if you were to carefully blot that dampness away, you might be able to salvage some of the face you put on before you left the house. Or, at the very least, be able to start over with a dry canvas. Which brings me to my next point...
2. Less is Sometimes More
3. Make your Products Work Overtime (so you won't have to)
No one wants to work more than they have to in the summertime, and
your face is no exception. However, some products lend themselves better to flextime than others, and that's the type of labour you should be looking to exploit when the barometer rises. For example, bronzing powder (like Sunkissed or Beach Babe from Cheeky Cosmetics) becomes a triple threat when dusted lightly over cheek and brow bones in place of blush and eyeshadow.
Soft shimmering eyeshadow in muted yellow (such as Buttercup from apotheKerri beauty) can cleverly conceal those late nights on the patio drinking Margaritas when blended well into the inner corners and slightly underneath the eye. No room for your makeup bag inside that tiny purse you're bringing to drinks after work? No problem - look for multi-purpose products like the Lip/Cheek balm from Dalish Cosmetics that provides maximum colour in a minimal space.So there you have it. Short of having your own wind machine or gorgeous young minions who follow you about fanning you with a couple giant palm leaves, those would be my top tips on how you can beat the heat and look halfway decent doing it. But no woman is an island. I'm always interested in hearing how you plan to stay cool and gorgeous in the sweltering summer months to come.
