Hot Weather Make-Up Tips

Artfully applied makeup is a pleasure to behold at any time of year. However, under the glare of the sun, or in heat and humidity, almost all make-up eventually tends to melt.

When trying to ensure that make-up stays put in the warm weather, don't pack on layer upon layer of products that claim to produce a matte finish. Yes, they may lengthen the amount of time before heat gets the best of a make-up application. Eventually, though, they, too, will succumb to the heat.

Photo courtesy of Mally Roncal.

The key to keeping that glamorous look you tried so hard to achieve is to acknowledge the heat rather than trying to fight it. Here are some tips on how to look sultry even when the temperature soars.

Preparation

Cleanse: Wash your face using a gentle, oil-free cleanser such as Cetaphil, ($6.99; in drugstores ). If you're experiencing breakouts, follow with an astringent that has salicylic acid. If you have extra oily skin, try an oil zapping toner–Dermalogica makes an astringent called Oil Control Lotion, ($44.00 ; see www.dermalogica.com to locate retail stores that sell the company's products). Oil Control Lotion contains lemon and burdock root, which, when applied topically, helps skin heal after trauma.

Moisturize: If your complexion is oily, only moisturize under the eyes and skip the rest of the face. If you have dry skin, use a light, non-oily lotion.

MAKE-UP APPLICATION

Tinted Moisturizer: In lieu of foundation, blend a small amount of long-wearing, flesh-tinted gel or moisturizer evenly over your entire face. Unlike traditional foundation which has a heavier texture, tints and gels have no texture at all, yet give a lovely translucent glow to the skin. For dry and normal skin, NV Perricone makes a terrific tinted moisturizer. ($55 www.nvperricone.com). If your skin is oily, Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer ($40; www.lauramercier.com) is an excellent choice.

For Extra Coverage: If areas of your face need more intense attention, such as broken capillaries, under-eye darkness, or rosacea, use the minutest (pin-sized) bit of a highly pigmented, opaque matte cover cream applied directly to the specific area. You may want to try DermaColor from Kryolan ($40.00; www.kryolan.com)

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