Beat the heat

A bit sweaty...But we couldn't care less!

Isn't the sunshine glorious?! (Factor 30+ people...all the way).

I've decided to start this next blog post on heat-proofing your makeup with a photo of my baby sis and I. Here we are...a right couple of Sweaty Bettys cheering Murray onto victory (damn straight).

We couldn't have cared less about our makeup that day (the way it should be). But how do you heat-proof your makeup when you have an important meeting or a date? What are the tricks to stop it sliding down your face half way through the day (or worse still, on the tube journey in?!).

The good news is all it takes is a couple of tweaks to your usual routine... and perhaps the odd new purchase (eek!).

Here are my top 'beat the heat' tips to help you maintain a look that's polished and shine-free:

Tip #1: Think THIN (layers)

• GO EASY: We sweat more in the summer months so it's important to scale back the amount of makeup you would normally apply. The best way to do this is to think about applying your makeup in thin layers.
• LIGHTER COVERAGE: Your skin should feel a bit clearer in the Summer (though no always). If you can get away with wearing a tinted moisturiser, rather than a medium coverage foundation, then go for it. If you don't want to compromise on coverage opt for an oil-free foundation.

Kiehl's Ultra Light daily Moisturiser, SPF 50, £31

• SPF: I prefer to wear a separate SPF under my base in the summer as SPF 15/25 in a tinted moisturiser doesn't feel quite enough. At the moment I'm wearing Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily Moisturiser SPF 50. See also Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection SPF 50 +++ (£76) which glides on like an invisible, dry oil (spenny yes, but worth every penny). Some SPFs can make your skin feel extra sweaty the moment you begin applying your makeup (argh) so be sure to apply a thin layer and blend out (spend about 20 seconds blending). Applying an equally thin layer of your chosen base (tinted moisturiser or foundation) will also help to minimise makeup slide.

Stila Convertible Color, £16 (lips and cheeks)

• CREAMS: I like wearing cream products in the summer months (bases, cream blushers, sheer illuminators etc). There are heaps out there. Stila's Convertible Colors are an easy way in. When experimenting, remember less is more and be sure to use your fingers (remember those thin layers!)
• EASY ON THE POWDER: The only time I use powder is to set a makeup, for example, to set my concealer (see Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer Duo) or a light dusting down the T-zone with a Blot Powder (see MAC).

Chanel's Waterproof Stylo liners are just fab (£19)

Tip #2: Opt for WATERPROOF and LONG-LASTING formulations 

• OIL-FREE: When buying foundation for the summer choose an oil-free formulation (unless you have very dry skin).
• FINGERS AT THE READY: Applying it with your fingers won't make you extra sweaty - it should leave a nice dewy effect.

Is MAC Face and Body 50ml £21.50 the answer to your Summer prayers?

• LABEL WATCH: An obvious one, but go for products - mascaras, liners, foundations - that are labelled 'waterproof' or 'water resistant'. Makeup artist favourite, MAC Face and Body Foundation (£21.50), is now available in a 50ml bottle *cheer*....it's buildable, light-weight and water resistant. You can also use it on your arms and legs (well if it's good enough for Victoria's Secret Models...)
• CREAM EYESHADOWS: There are heaps of waterproof cream eye shadows on the market that provide an easy, crease-free base that will last all day. See the Maybelline Colour Tattoo range if you want to dip your toe (figuratively speaking of course).

Max Factor Lasting Lip Tint (£4.99)

• LONG-LASTING LIP: When it comes to lip colour, avoid anything too glossy which will just melt. Instead, opt for a lip stain or long-wearing lip colour that you can wear as a base. Apply a thin layer of balm or clear gloss on top to avoid your lips drying out.  

Aussie brand Jurlique's Rosewater Balancing Mist (£13.25 for 50ml) 

Tip #3: Pro products to help you FRESHEN UP & DE-SHINE

• ROSEWATER: Any kind of spray is useful to carry around with you, preferably one with a rose base that will calm, rehydrate and brighten the skin. See Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist (£13.25 for 50ml), cult-favourite Caudalié's Beauty Elixir (£11 for 30ml) and for the purists among you Chantecaille's (oh-so-heavenly) Pure Rosewater (£50) which is 99.9% botanical (as pure as you can get). Remember you can always decant your rose water into a teeny-tiny, travel-size spray bottle (see Muji for excellent travel bottles).

Image courtesy of Tatcha.com

• BLOT PAPERS: Invented by the Japanese about 300 years ago, blotting papers should be an essential part of your makeup arsenal during the sizzling months. The nature of the paper means they are able to absorb excess oil without damaging your makeup. Cult Japanese brand Tatcha sell gold-infused blotting sheets (£11 for 30 sheets) that are - in my opinion - far too beautiful to use on sweaty skin. A great alternative is MAC Blot Film (£11 for 30 sheets) or Boots Skin Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets (£2.66). Wrap one sheet around a scrunched up tissue and press onto areas of shine for optimum results.

Do you have any ultimate 'beat the heat' makeup tips?

Are you Miss Represented?

Last Wednesday evening I had the privilege of attending a private screening of a sensational new documentary entitled Miss Representation. I say sensational for two reasons: one, because it's brilliantly produced (the handiwork of actress and campaigner Jennifer Siebel Newsom), and two because it highlights - with extraordinary poignancy - the way women are misrepresented by the media.

There is an 8 minute trailer you can view here but if you can get your hands on the full 1.5 hour film, watch it. I went through a range of emotions during the film....disgust, indignation, horror, sadness, concern. But above all else, a desire to pledge to 'be the change'.

The film makes the point that we appear to be living in a world not too dissimilar from a teenage boy's wet dream. A world where women are sexualised in adverts, films, even on the news* and with frightening consistency.

*See FOX News for countless examples, although living in the UK I think this is less of a problem

Rarely are we presented with strong, real females in the media, grounded and spirited women who have achieved great success in their own right. Even when a woman is praised for her achievements it's not long before the subject of her personal appearance or physical attributes are mentioned (as if this has anything to do with it?). 

Beauty, of course, plays a huge part in the way women are portrayed in the media and the pressure women feel today to look YOUNG, consistently POLISHED and SEDUCTIVE has never been greater.

Girls are taught from a young age that their value lies in their appearance (rather than their intelligence or ability) and this is reinforced on a daily basis with a steady barrage of images of 'hot' girls in music videos, films and adverts. The effect? Body dysmorphia issues are now recorded in girls as young as 7 or 8.

As a working makeup artist my thoughts are never far from these issues and whilst I will happily comment on a woman's natural beauty I'm conscious it should never be the principle focus. My work has always been about helping women to look and feel vital and energised (as opposed to sexy and beautiful) and it was with this desire in mind that I set up my consultancy, The Makeup Debate (I am giving a lunchtime talk at RBS on 7 August so do message me if you would like to attend).

So what can we do to begin to reverse the way women are presented to the world? Watch the film, take the pledge and let's continue to share stories of women who are achieving great things - there are so many out there!