Things Makeup Artists Must Do This Summer

With the temperature rising every minute, summer time calls for makeup inspiration for a look that is fresh and glowing all day. rachna Virdi gets top makeup artists to share their list of quick-fixes for summer makeup.

Summer season is officially here. We all love that perfect summer vibe that brings with it long and lazy days, sunny afternoons, relaxed evenings, everything except the excessive sweat, dehydrated skin, oily texture, melting makeup. The list goes on!

Come summer and the heat starts acting as a makeup spoilsport, dampening your feel-good spirit. It is the humble face that bears the biggest brunt of heat and humidity. Step out in the sun and the skin turns dry, dehydrated and sweaty, and the makeup goes on a melting spree. If you are scouting for solutions to these problems, we have your back. The answer to all these summer woes is, summer-fresh makeup. A refreshing summer look that promises to stay all day, does not melt in the sun, and acts as your best skin saviour.

Wait, there is no rocket science behind getting a summer-fresh look. All you have to do is, prepare your skin in advance, protect it with the right base, use the right textures, apply sweat-proof products and there, you have a perfect and flawless summer look. For more clarity and guidance, we got the top makeup experts to share five things you must add to your summer makeup routine, now!

Don’t just scroll through, follow them as your makeup blueprint and see your clients leaving your salon on a happy note this summer.

PREPARE YOUR SKIN WELL

The primary step to summer makeup is the skin preparation you do before doing makeup. Summer is all about keeping the skin looking fresh and luminous, and that always starts with good skincare. The skin gets greasy and makeup tends to sweat out. The solution to this is hydrating your skin well. Ojas Rajani, pan-India makeup expert points out, “Preparing your skin by rubbing ice cubes helps to cool your senses and makes you feel refreshed. Make sure you use face primers to keep your skin look matte yet luminous.”

However, Chennai-based makeup expert Zorain Khaleeli begs to differ. “Applying ice packs can break the skin capillaries. Before starting makeup, use a lightweight moisturiser depending on your skin type. The basic norm is to get a water-based moisturiser. People with oily skin need to be careful as summer adds to the oiliness.” Clint Fernandes, makeup expert from Mumbai, couldn’t agree more. “A moisturiser seals and protects the skin. Use a good moisturiser and follow it with a sun protection factor of minimum 30 and then a makeup primer,” he suggests.

GET THE BASE MAKEUP RIGHT

Good summer makeup begins with getting the right base makeup. Zorain’s base formula starts with a powdery foundation applied with a brush to keep the skin lighter.

“For a great base, one should ensure that the skin is wellhydrated and primed. Start with a water-based moisturiser that keeps the skin hydrated through the day. Then apply an illuminating primer to add in that beautiful radiance.

Keeping the foundation minimal helps if you do tend to sweat a lot. A BB cream is ideal for minimal coverage. For more coverage, use a water-based lightweight foundation.

For people with oily skin, a powder foundation helps to retouch during the day, if needed,” she elaborates.

Clint is all for using a lightweight foundation and concealer wherever necessary followed by a translucent powder to set the base. “If the skin if good, then avoid the translucent powder and use compact powder only. These days, I see many young girls using a lot of foundation on the face that makes their face look very caky in summer. Go for a matte look as the skin tends to get oily in the heat.” Ojas seconds him. “Your base should always be dewy yet poreless as the pores tend to show more naturally due to the humidity in summer. Use a skin balm in silicon finish to make your skin look flawless and your makeup stay fresh 24x7,” she explains.

STICK TO LIGHTER TEXTURES

When it comes to textures, go powder-based or gelbased textures during summer. Clint says, “These give a matte feel and absorb the excessive oil in the skin. This especially works during weddings when you cannot retouch your makeup again and again. Highlighters or other shiny powders are a big no.” Ojas adds to this, “Your makeup textures should always be matt finish or hydrated but not shimmery or too creamy as the makeup tends to shift and look patchy. Keep a makeup setting powder in hand to lend your face a fresher look.”

Zorain is all for textures that add some radiance to your skin, especially if it is dry. “Creamy textures tend to add a matte look to the face. After applying the creamy foundation, use a makeup brush to spread it all over. Use cream blushes in powder base as they are easy to retouch.”

USE LONG-STAY, SWEAT-PROOF MAKEUP

To ensure that your makeup stays for a longer duration, place a cold towel on the face before starting with the makeup. “It keeps the body temperature in control and helps the makeup last longer. Using a hydrating primer or a hydrating face mist also helps in terms of sweating. Just spritz the mist and leave it, do not rub. One can also carry a hydrant in bag while stepping out. If the skin gets oily in the sun, just place a wet wipe on the face. It works like a refresher and reduce the skin temperature,” advocates Zorain.

Ojas puts it succinctly. “Prepare and prime your skin by starting with a makeup hydrating spray followed by a moisturiser and lastly use a face primer for a mattifying look.” Clint also thinks long-stay, smudgeproof and water-proof makeup work the best. “A mattifying setting spray adds a finishing touch and makes it last longer. Long-stay makeup can be used allyear round. It works in all seasons except in some cold cities during winter.”

CHOOSE LIGHTER MAKEUP HUES

Summer is all about getting a cleaner and fresher look. Whether you are using colour on the cheeks or the eyes, ensure that they are lighter and fresher. “Super-fresh pastel hues or aqua coloured liners or eyeshadows look cool and pretty. Lime green, coral, sea green or aqua blue, all look stunning. Even peaches, pinks and corals look very flattering,” states Ojas. Remember, less is more youthful and beautiful.

Zorain is all for colours that look natural, like peaches and pinks. “You can experiment with coloured liners to add a touch of pop. For the evening look, you can pop up the lips but then the eyes should be washed out. Avoid too much of kajal as they tend to bleed in summers; switch to eye pencils instead. If you are using an eye pencil, go for browns or any colour that adds an element of dreaminess. Also make sure you use lighter eyeshadows.”

According to Clint, it is advisable to avoid oil-based eye makeup in simmer. “People use kajal that goes all over and that makes the face look like a raccoon. For eye makeup, simply use a long gel liner and mascara and you are ready to go,” he concludes. PbhJ