Stop Your Makeup from Melting! My Humidity-Proof Routine for Mature Skin

As the blissful June sun begins to radiate, many of us start to feel a familiar sense of dread: “Makeup Meltdown.” Between the rising humidity and the unpredictable nature of hot flashes, keeping our faces looking fresh past 10:00 AM can feel like a game of wack-a mole.

Rather than the constant touchup and drooling mascara, let’s add some tools that help keep everything looking fresh and pretty, even when the rest of you is evaporating. This summer, we are moving away from heavy, cakey products and embracing a routine that is breathable, water-resistant, and, most importantly, reliable.

The Basis of Heat-Resistance: The Primer

If you skip every other step this summer, do not skip your primer. Use one that creates a matte finish, adheres foundation to the skin, and controls shine and oil with or without foundation.

On Edna, my model, I added some hydration and, once the product had set into her skin, I followed with a Prime Prometics Skin Primer. It feels silky and smooth, stays on all day, and blurs fine lines and pores for a beautiful finish.

Pro-Tip: Use your fingers to apply your primer. The warmth of your hands helps the product melt into the skin, ensuring every nook and cranny is protected.

Less Is Best: Strategic Application of Color

When it’s 80 degrees outside, a heavy foundation is your worst enemy. It’s the first thing to “break” when you sweat. Instead, reach for a light coverage foundation like a tinted moisturizer or a CC cream, and only use it in your t-zone or where you need it, rather than all over. If you are able, don’t wear any at all, just a little concealer to hide any dark or discolored parts.

Application

On Edna, I used a CC Cream and applied it to her t-zone. Because Edna has some redness around her eyes, I also added it over and under her eye area. If you do not have oily lids, this works very well and can keep you from using too much concealer.

Concealer

Only use where you need it, the more you add, the worse it can look.

Bronzer + Blush

Cream products work fantastically in hot weather, and can have greater staying power than powders. Plus, since we are using less foundation, bronzer and blush add color and warmth to an otherwise flat appearance. Be sure to blend in circular motions and be very thorough to avoid streaky lines!

The “Raccoon Eye” Solution: Water Resistant Everything

We’ve all been there; you look in the mirror at lunch and realize your mascara has migrated to your under-eyes, and then your belly button. In the summer, humidity softens traditional waxes in mascara, causing them to smudge. It’s important to choose a mascara, eye shadows, and eye liners that are water repellant or water resistant to avoid this.

Mascara

On Edna I used a tubing mascara that doesn’t smudge in hot temperatures and comes off with warm water. For this video, I used black, but it can be fun to try different colors like Mulberry, Emerald, and Smoke.

Eye Shadows

Cream eye shadows are easy to apply and stay put. On Edna, I used a bronze shade called Nebula both around her eye and in the crease, and it really made her eye color jump out.

Eye Liner

For eye liner I used Wood, a warm brown shade, and rimmed her entire eye with it. The trick here is to blend with a soft brush to remove any harsh lines.

Pro Tip: Because makeup tends to fade more quickly in summer, apply a little more eyeliner on the outer edge of your eye than you normally would.Also try putting liner in the waterline, as this adds punch to an otherwise boring look.

How to Keep Lipstick in Place

I swear I have eaten about a hundred lipsticks in my day. I tend to roll my lips when I concentrate, so lipstick lasts under 30 minutes on me at all times. Because of this, I use a specific technique to keep lip shades in place. Do these steps in order:

• Foundation on lips: If your lips are dry, this works even better.
• Fill in lips with liner: Use a neutral lipliner about the same color as your lips.
• Layer lipstick: Apply lipstick, then powder on lips, then lipstick again.

For summer, I prefer a lip gloss or balm, and the above technique works as long as you are not using a clear product. These tricks also keep the lip balm from spreading into fine lines or joining your mascara in your belly button.

A Word on Face Powder and Setting Spray

Even with a translucent face powder, reapplying can cause pilling and that awful cakey look. For this reason, I avoid powder unless the skin is especially oily. Dabbing with tissue or specific papers for oily skin works well if needed, but I find that a well placed primer can help do away with powder completely. As far as setting spray goes, use it if it tickles your fancy. I lean away from them because they can contain toxic ingredients, so do your homework.

Summer Is Da Bomb!

Summer should be about enjoying the garden, the beach, and the company of friends, not worrying about your makeup. By choosing products designed for the specific chemistry of mature skin, you can feel confident that your glow is intentional, not sweat-induced!

You can find all the products mentioned in today’s tutorial at PrimePrometics.com.

Exclusive Offer: Use code THEBEAUTYSHAMAN at checkout for 10% off your entire order!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What’s your favorite summer makeup product? How do you keep makeup from melting in the hot and humid months? Any products that work particularly well?