Saturday, July 12, 2014

My Summer-Proof Make-up Routine

You know how everyone bitches about their make-up melting, smudging and smearing all over in the summer heat and humidity? I never used to get that; sure, I'd slightly adjust my products for summer, opting for easier, more lightweight formulas and brighter shades, but I wasn't terribly bothered. Yeah... and then I moved to New York - and now I really get it. So here's a quick rundown of make-up bits I've been using recently, with a very simple look at the end, in case you're looking for some everyday summer face inspiration.
First off, base products. I don't think I've ever reviewed Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Make-up ($37 for 1 oz) on the blog (the shade I have is Intensity 1; I would have preferred to have 0.5, but 1 works in the summer), and I had actually neglected it for a long time - which is a shame, because it's a beautiful base for summer. The coverage is definitely on the light side, but can be built up to medium - though I prefer to do a thin layer all over the face and then spot conceal my scars/blemishes. When used over a more emollient moisturizer, it blends out seamlessly with a buffing brush, and retains quite a dewy finish, without pooling in the pores or fine lines. And you guys, this thing lasts - I sure do get a little shiny/sweaty in my T-zone as the day goes on, but Double Wear Light never goes patchy or slides off the face, which I consider a big accomplishment.

Also previously not mentioned on the blog, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly ($29 for 0.22 oz) is my weapon of choice for masking any imperfections. It's seriously pigmented, and long-lasting; it blends out very easily when applied on the skin, but after a moment, sets and doesn't move around, which is especially important for concealing blemishes. My preferred application method is to apply a bit on the back of my hand, and then use a separate brush to pick up product and dot it around the face, which I then blend out with my fingers for a thin, invisible layer - a bit labor-intense process, but I find that applying it on the face straight from the wand globs on way too much product. To be perfectly honest, for my under eye area I still prefer to use the Bobbi Brown Corrector - but the NARS will do in a pinch. In terms of shade selection, Chantilly, the lightest shade in the range, looks very, very fair in the tube - though it does oxidize a bit darker on the skin and matches my skintone quite well in the end.

As you can see, no primers included in the line-up, however I do experiment with face primers here and there, and sometimes even spritz my face with Skindinavia No More Shine Make-up Finish (reviewed here) - but I don't find those added products do anything in making my base last any longer. The only primer I reach for every time I do my make-up is NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base - my eyeshadows never crease when I use it, and my eye make-up stays intact for an entire day.
Speaking of eyes, I have less patience for elaborate eyeshadow looks in the summer - and I also like a bit of color. Enter some waterproof eyeliner pencils; my long-standing favorites are NYX  Slide-ons (reviewed and swatched here) as well as Sephora Contour Eye Pencils 12HR Wear (reviewed and swatched here). Most often, I use them to line my upper lashline for a subtle cat eye, but I also enjoy using the darker shades to tightline, or wearing the lighter shades in the bottom waterline. In the face shots below, I attempted a gradient flick with NYX Esmeralda on the inner half and Sephora Surfer Babe on the outer part, with some matte shadows on the lid for more definition - but overall, I keep things very quick and easy.

Now, I've been experiencing more mascara fails recently than I care to admit - one big drawback of having long lashes (and not a lot of lid space) is that my mascara-ed lashes now touch my brow bone, and most mascaras transfer within the first 15 minutes of doing my make-up. Which is why I busted out a deluxe sample tube of Anastasia Lash Genius Clear Waterproof Topcoat ($21 for 0.19 oz)- I didn't really have high hopes for this, but you guys, it's pretty brilliant. The brush on the Lash Genius is a standard wiry type with lots of bristles, which makes distributing the product on top of mascara a breeze, and there's no weird residue or globs visible on the lashes - it looks like it's not even there. Oh, but it works - no browbone transfer, no smudging, no flaking, and at the end of the day, it comes off easily with a cleansing oil. Big thumbs up!

For lips and cheeks, I honestly switch things up a lot, but I thought I'd show you some products I haven't featured in a while. Inglot AMC Cream Blush no. 88 ($12 for 5.5g/ 0.19 oz) is always my go-to in the summer: the neutral rosey brown hue goes well with both warm and cool-toned looks, and the satin/matte finish stays put thoughout the day. And you guys know I love bright shades on the lips: the Bourjois Color Boost Lip Crayon in Red Sunrise (reviewed here) claims to be waterproof, and I have to admit that it does wear quite well throughout the day, but not as long as Beaute's Liqui-Gel Stain in Flouron (VERY recently reviewed here, lol), or other lip stains in my collection. But in the end, I don't really mind reapplying lip products, so I rotate my choices daily.
Here's what these products look like on the face: I also used the pencil end of Revlon Brow Fantasy through my brows (rant here), and set my T-zone with Make Up For Ever HD Powder. Very simple, but with some fun, brighter colors. If you're interested to see which staple products I was using in my last everyday summer make-up routine, click here.

How do you switch up your make-up routine for the summer? Do you reach for more waterproof and long-lasting formulas, or use different shades?

23 comments:

  1. !!!! lashes that touch brown bones. zomgs, that's a problem i'd like to have (but never will, thanks asian genes..)
    i've heard some really good things about the sephora liners and i thought their chubby eyeshadow stick version were really good so i imagine the liners are pretty awesome as well. i feel like people don't give enough credit to sephora's in house line. i'm sure there are other gems in there we don't know about.

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    1. Oh Jenn - but at least your mascara doesn't smudge all over your brows! Sephora's in-house brand really has some hidden gems, and I think the price point is very reasonable. I've also heard good things about the chubby eyeshadow pencils, as well as the liquid matte lipsticks, and some bronzers. I kinda want to check out their eyeshadow pans as well.

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  2. Grrr!!! Monka, did you really have to rub it in? Lashes that touch the brow bone on top of no need for a lash curler!!! *cries*... You lucky woman! :)

    Love your selection and the look you did, that liner is gorgeous! That NARS primer is great and I wonder what I would do without it these days. :)

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    1. Oh Helene, I'm really not trying to rub it in :P Just quite frustrated with everything smudging. But seriously - get yo' some lash serum. My lashes were rather wimpy before using it; although they've always been curly, I think. Thank you dear - and NARS eye primer is such a staple!

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    2. LOL Monika! We're good, no worries! I'm definitely starting to consider using a serum. :)

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  3. I love the look! And the eyeliner is AMAZING, I'm in love with it x

    http://books-and-memories.blogspot.co.uk/

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  4. This looks fantastic! Love the different colors you have going on here! Definitely summer perfection!

    Des | Simple Charm Beauty

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  5. I need to get my hands on that Anastasia product, I'm a terrible eye-rubber. And I'm joining the chorus on the whole eye-lash thing - totally envious! My only change during the warmer months is to add brighter colours and powder.

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  6. Okay, this has cemented my resolve to try the Radiant Creamy Concealer. My CoverGirl concealer is not holding up at all in this humidity; in fact, I've pretty much stopped using it because it disappears ten minutes after I go outside. Oh, and I love the NYX Slide-On formula, too! The only one I have is Jewel, but I just took a look at your swatches and Esmeralda is really tempting me now...

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    1. I was using Becca's Dual Compact Concealer before, and while it's easy to just get a little bit on you brush from the pan and then blend away, the waxy formula doesn't hold up well on oilier skin in the summer. NYX really did good job with these eyeliners - although when they're not on sale, the price point is quite high for the drugstore! Esmeralda is a pretty awesome bright green - really draws attention to the eyes.

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  7. I love Read Sunrise on you! Wish it looked the same on me :-| Great picks for summer!

    TheConscienceFund

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    1. Thank you Divya! Does it look very different on you? When I first got Red Sunrise, I thought it'd be more watermelon pink - but in fact it looks like a slightly cool red on me.

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  8. Hi Monika,

    I should pull out my NARS Creamy concealer again! I still need to experiment to get it to work for me :)

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    1. Hiiii Dovey! I know some people don't get on with the NARS concealer very well - what's the issue for you?

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  9. What a pretty look! I think you sold me on the Lash Genius thing. I'm so skeptical of mascara top coats but this is the second time I've heard good things from trustworthy bloggers.

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    1. I was very skeptical at first too, but I'm so impressed how invisible it is on the lashes, while remaining effective. I guess I still had in mind the early days of mascara + lash primer dual things, which were a complete fail for me!

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  10. Your liner looks sick! You've inspired me to play around with my coloured liners when I get home tonight :)
    Great post!
    Meghan
    Today's Beauty Obsession

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  11. That look is so beautiful! I wish I could do my makeup the way you do it! It's so PERFECT!

    Evi // Beneath the Glitter // http://www.evithefashionista.blogspot.ca/

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  12. I live in a country that's hot and humid the whole year round. Humidity can get as high as 90% and sometimes it gets hotter than 38 Celcius. When the weather is crap like that and I have to be outdoors, concealer and powder foundation is the best. Any liquid foundation does melt after 3 hours in the heat. Of course, if one is to stay in an air conditioned office the whole day, it's a totally different story :-P

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    1. I was mainly using a powder foundation last year, but this summer I quite like using the Double Wear Light :) What is your favorite powder foundation, Lily? We have AC at home as well but I really dislike being in AC rooms, so I only turn it on when it gets really bad... I don't know how you deal with your weather all year round! But at least it doesn't get freezing and dry in the winter, right? :)

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    2. We don't have winter, or autumn (my fave) or spring (thank goodness, or my allergies kill me). I do miss the different seasons which I got to experience when I was studying in Australia. I am loving the powder foundation my Lancome. However, we get different versions from you guys. Ours are made in Japan, exclusively for Asian skin. The shade match is impeccable! Love it. The one I use, Maqui Blanc powder foundation, is so smooth, it goes on like cream. I already repurchased it since I'm going to use up mine soon :-)

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