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?

My top 3 beauty picks for Summer

If you wear liquid foundation, you gotta try this stuff

Hi guys, hope you're all enjoying the lovely warm weather today? (And if you're anything like me, you'll be simultaneously suppressing the very British tendency to complain about it...what's with that?).

Here are 3 products I am loving this Summer...

1. Ginvera's BB Cream (see pic above). If you wear liquid foundation or tinted moisturiser, you simply have to try this product.

I was sent some Ginvera BB cream to try by the lovely people at Janiro.co.uk after they saw me discussing summer foundations on twitter and, in spite of being a BB cream sceptic (how can one product do ALL that), I decided to give it a whirl.  I'm now 3 days in and am quite blown away.

The Ginvera BB cream is part of the Singaporean Ginvera Green Tea skin care range (Harvey Nicks have recently started stocking it which is always a good sign).

I'm naturally quite pale and the cream comes out fairly warm so I was convinced it would look too dark on me, but, after blending it in, the cream seemed to adapt to my skin tone?? I probably wouldn't use it in winter because it does leave my skin ever-so-slightly tanned, but with built-in SPF 30 it's perfect for summer.

You only need the teeniest amount (about the size of a 5p piece). I blend it in with my MAC 188 Small Duo Fibre brush (a dream of a brush if you've never tried it).

Why's Ginvera BB cream so good?
- provides flawless coverage, minimising scaring and fine lines
- oil control properties provide a natural matte finish
- revitalises the skin with essential nutrients
- SPF 30 PA++
- long lasting

Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think! RRP £20.
NB: not for lovers of an über-matte finish and I'd be hesitant to recommend it for brides, but as an everyday base it certainly gets my vote.

2. Next up is St. Tropez's Everyday Gradual Tan for Face (Light/Medium)

I bought this aaaages ago and recently came across it during a bathroom clear out. It's also Wedding Season at the moment and a number of my clients have mentioned they've been using it in the run-up to their wedding.

What's it got going for it? It's cheap-ish (£12.15 if you buy from feelunique.com) and great if the idea of using fake tan on your face fills you with absolute dread. The moisturising gradual tan infused with aloe vera, vitamin E and St. Tropez's innovative Aromaguard™ (which claims to 'eliminate the tell-tale self tan aroma by a minimum of 70%). 

My only bug-bear with it is that it can feel quite greasy on the skin after application (and for as much as the smell is masked, it's not completely hidden Mr. St. Tropez!). I've taken to wearing it at night (so it doesn't annoy me during the day) and the results are stunning: a subtle yet convincing tan.

TIP: If using at night, apply after gentle exfoliation when the skin is squeaky clean. Don't forget to take it down the neck line.

3. Last but by no means least... Shu Uemura's Cream Eye Shadow (Pearl Beige)

Hands up those who avoid wearing eye shadow during the day - and particularly during the summer months - because of the inevitable crease which comes after just 2 hours wear? (I know, such a bore). Well let me introduce you to Shu Uemura's range of cream eye shadows. Makeup artists the world over have been raving about these little beauties for a while now and I can see why. Long-wearing and highly pigmented, these shimmery eye colours provide a wash of colour which will not crease. Perfect when you're in a hurry in the morning and fancy a little something on the eyes instead of the usual mascara-only look.

Available at Space NK, Harvey Nicks, Liberty's, Selfridges and at the Shu Uemura store on Neal Street (Covent Garden). RRP: £19

Are there any products you just can't get enough of this Summer?