Some like it hot: The best heatproof make-up essentials

In the summer you need to make some key changes to stop your make-up melting

APPLY heatproof make-up so you don’t melt in the sun, says our Beauty Editor.

 

This has been a long, hot summer and we’re only just at the start of August. I know it’s been particularly sizzling in the South because more than once I’ve borrowed a habit popular with Korean tourists and dug a rain brolly from the depths of my handbag to shield myself from dazzling rays rather than drizzly days. (

I draw the line at pulling on a pair of white gloves to protect my hands from UV damage, though I might regret it when I hit my late sixties.)

I appreciate it’s churlish to moan about good weather when we get so little of it. But even when I’m having to endure the joys of commuting in the heat – the tightly packed carriages, the broken air con, the unexpected bodily aromas – there’s one key issue I have with sweltering conditions: that even before I’ve boarded my morning train, the walk to the station means my make-up is already sliding down my face. 

If resembling a clown from a horror film by sundown isn’t on your to-do list, you need to make some key changes to stop your make-up melting. I’ve been picking the brains of celebrity make-up artist Chase Aston, who has spent much of his career on photo shoots with supermodels on far-flung beaches so certainly knows a thing or two about coping with tarmac-melting temperatures. 

“A common mistake but an absolute no-no when the mercury rises is to keep applying powder to reduce shine and excessively oily areas,” says Aston. “Instead, go for a primer. Use it under make-up or apply over your foundation on areas prone to excess oil and shine. The powdery texture disappears on the skin once applied without any chalky effect or risk of caking.”

Pick the best beauty products for the perfect summer make-up

 

From left:

Origins Pinch Your Cheeks (£14.50; 0800 731 4039)

Benefit Benebalm (£14.50; 0800 279 4793)

Eyeko Brow Liner (£15; 020 8740 2085)

MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ (£17; 0870 034 2676)

Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow (£6.90; 020 7439 8213)

As for foundation, while you can skip this stage when you’re on a summer break, many of us aren’t happy to lose it completely while going about our usual daily routine at home. “Tinted moisturisers, cream or radiance-enhancing foundations can slip and slide in humid conditions, so switch to a 24-hour weatherproof liquid foundation,” advises Aston.

“They tend to be light yet give amazing coverage and can be used as a concealer or foundation, or as both.”

Texture is king when it comes to adding your colour. “Powder blushes and cream shadows can crease, slip and flake away in the heat, so instead choose products that sidestep these issues,” says Aston. “Pick a waterproof shadow that glides on like a cream, blends like a powder and stays solid without budging or smudging when you start to glow.”

Lip and cheek stains come into their own when it’s really hot, too. “They are an absolute must-have and can be applied to cheeks for a long-lasting, humidity-proof wash of colour that looks and feels fresh and natural in daylight and can be layered to get your look ready for a night out.”

Personally, the beach isn’t a place where I even want to think about make-up but there are many women who won’t go natural at any time, even getting up early to apply slap before a new boyfriend wakes (you know who you are…).

Luckily, the products below will work wonders whether you’re relaxing on a sun lounger or pounding the pavements when the heat is on, so you could do a lot worse than adding these heatproof wonders into your cosmetics bag. 

Discover the best products for your skin in our selection

From left:

Sleek Makeup Control Shine & Prime (£7.99; 0345 070 8090)

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (£52; 020 8740 2085)

Nars All Day Luminous Powder Foundation (£33; 0345 602 1073)

Clinique Superbalanced Makeup (£22; 0870 034 2566)