11 Meltproof Makeup Ideas for Summer
Photos: Michael Thompson, Dan Drury, Roger Cabello, David Stesner, Roger Cabello, Tom Munro, Roger Cabello, Franz Walderdorff, Courtesy of Mark, Richard Burbridge, Roger Cabello
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1/11Take Time to Prime
The key to long-lasting foundation and color is the most commonly skipped step: primer. Seriously—the stuff works. All you need is a pea-size dot of a lightweight, oil-free formula; apply it to moisturized skin before your concealer and foundation. We like L'Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Color Correcting Primers (they have three oil-free formulas for different skin types).
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2/11Be Dense
Blemishes and blotchy skin don't vanish in the hot weather, but the wrong concealer definitely can. What you want is a densely pigmented (but not liquidy) cream formula. Our pick: DuWop Circle Block. Use your ring finger to dab the concealer on dark circles; apply to red spots with a small brush, and then pat with your finger to blend the cover-up into the skin.
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3/11Switch to Silicone
Wear a full face of foundation and you're asking for trouble. Still, we get it—sometimes you want the coverage. The solution? A lightweight silicone-based formula. The silicone acts as a film between your skin and the humidity, preventing foundation from seeping into your pores or dribbling down your chin. We like Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation and CoverGirl TruBlend Liquid Makeup.
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4/11Lighten Up
Think of foundation this way: The less you put on, the less there is to slide off. A dampened makeup sponge is the ideal tool for applying it so that it goes on light and sheer. Put a few drops on a damp foam-latex sponge, and swipe it from the middle of your face outward in short strokes. Give it a minute or so to set before you apply other makeup.
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© Condé Nast5/11Choose Creamy Shadows
When sweat and powders mix, the result isn't pretty. Sheer cream shadows tend to cake less in hot weather (plus, they glisten in the sun). Laura Mercier Satinée Crème Eye Colour contains silicone that locks the color in place, and Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liners stand the test of time without smudging.
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6/11Sweatproof Your Lashes
Waterproof mascara is a no-brainer in the summer. It can withstand the office, the gym, the pool, and the bar without smudging. But some can fade to gray in a few hours. Our favorite inky sheens: Maybelline New York Define-A-Lash Lengthening Waterproof Mascara and Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara.
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7/11Look to Liquid
Liquid liner may take patience and practice, but once on, a good formula won't budge or smudge in the heat like a kohl pencil can. We like Shiseido Makeup Automatic Fine Eyeliner and L'Oréal Paris Lineur Intense Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner.
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8/11Flush With Greatness
As with powder shadow, powder blush and perspiration don't mix. Instead, rub a bright pink or coral cream or gel blush on the apples of your cheeks, and blend. We like Stila Convertible Color Dual Lip and Cheek Cream in Fuchsia and Gerbera and Nars The Multiple Stick in Turks and Caicos and Beverly Hills.
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9/11Tint Your Lips
Lip gloss just looks right come summer: It's fun. It's easy… But it can also get runny and sticky in the sun. A tinted lip balm with a high wax content won't turn to mush in your bag or on your mouth. We like Aveda Lip Tints SPF 15. Other good options are sheer lipsticks and stains, such as Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Volupté Gloss Sticks and Mark Kissink Lip Tintmarker.
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10/11Stop Shine
To reduce shine and set your makeup, take a large fluffy brush (we like Sephora Professionnel Platinum Powder Brush #50), and dust a translucent loose powder across your T-zone. Because it's colorless, there's less of a chance it will cause problems in the heat, but use a light hand to be sure. We like Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder because it's talc-free, it mattifies without feeling dry.
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11/11Blot It Out
Instead of repowdering throughout the day—extra layers can cause cakey product buildup in warm weather—keep plasticky oil-blotting sheets at your desk and in your purse. Dabbed over your face, they soak up excess oil without messing up your makeup. We love Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets.
