Outdoor weddings, graduations, barbecues, trips with family or with your community…summer brings a lot of outdoor events and you want to look your best. So you spend time and effort on your makeup – and two hours in (if you’re lucky) you don’t even need to look in the mirror to know that it’s sliding off your face. Say goodbye to that scenario, because today we’re going to talk about heatproof summer makeup for your 60s – and beyond.
Prep, Prime, GO
Your makeup can only look and stay as good as your skin underneath it is. So start putting on your makeup right after your skincare routine. If you have an evening event, remove any makeup you have on. Apply toner, moisturizer and sunscreen (30 SPF minimum) or, better yet, use a double-duty moisturizer/sunscreen like Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion. Give it a minute to settle in and go right in with your primer. No phone calls, no chats with your neighbor. You want to start applying your makeup when your skin is at its best.
First, Base
Now that you’ve primed your skin, it’s time for foundation. If your skin can handle it, try this trick: Dust your face with a very thin layer of loose powder before your foundation. Only do this if your skin isn’t particularly dry, though. If it is, try spraying a layer of setting spray instead. This step boosts the lasting power of everything that comes afterward.
If you don’t usually use full coverage foundation, there’s no need to start just because you want your makeup to last. There are plenty of light-to-medium coverage products that have staying power. Try MAC or Dior Backstage Face and Body Foundation, or the L’Oreal Infallible Pro Glow. Stick to liquid formulas, since they tend to stand up to heat better than powders.
Conceal and Carry
Here’s the thing: If you’re going to go with full-coverage foundation, go light with your concealer. If you’re going with light foundation, you can use a heavier hand. Either way, use a creamy, lightweight concealer you can build up if necessary. Blend it out with a damp beauty sponge. If you’re more of a brush user, spray your brush with a hydrating makeup spray (Mac Fix+, Caudalie Grape Water and Olay Mist are all nice ones to try). Now spray your face with a setting spray. When you’re done, put the concealer and the spray in your bag, because you’re going to use them for touch-ups, not your foundation.
Cream On
You probably know that cream products tend to work better on mature skin. When it comes to heatproof summer makeup, though, cream products tend to work better for everyone. Contour, bronzer, highlighter and blush are all available in fantastic cream products in matte and glowy finishes – and at just about every price point. Blend them with your fingers, a beauty sponge, or a brush. Just do yourself one favor: do not smile and apply blush to the apples of your cheeks. When you stop smiling, your apples will be almost at your nose. Instead, start at the base of your cheekbone and blend out and up. That technique will give a real lift to your face.
After you’ve applied your cream products, you can dust your face with a light layer of powder. If you stay away from powder, then skip it. Either way, spray your face again with setting spray.
Eye Love Summer Makeup
Okay, eyes. Eyelid primers really work. They smooth the skin and keep your eyeshadow from settling into fine lines, plus they extend the wear of your eye makeup. So it’s a good idea to use one.
Again, cream eyeshadows will stand up to the heat better than powders. Stick shadows are great, too, and they’re available from high-end brands like Laura Mercier to drugstore brands like Rimmel and NYX. When it comes to eyeliner and mascara, though, go for waterproof products even if you’re not going to a tear-jerking event like a wedding. Sweat will give you raccoon eyes just as much as tears will.
Now spray your face one more time, put some blotting papers, blush, concealer and spray in your bag – and you’re ready to go.
Do you have tips you use for heatproof summer makeup when you’re 60? Please share them in the comments below!