As I type, Britain is in the clammy grip of some curious three-days-a-week heatwave. While four days are grey, damp and oppressive, the others are so hot and sticky that putting on makeup suddenly poses a number of challenges. Not such a bind on the weekend, when one can sit about in pants and no makeup with a Magnum down one’s bra, but for work most of us need to look a little sharper.
Despite little opportunity for practice over the years, I have developed a heatwave routine that’s still serving me well. First, I ditch the moisturiser. This is hugely unpopular with some beauty experts, but for me, proper sun care is more important. When things are sweaty, I want fewer products and layers, and better staying power. I still cleanse properly and use a serum, but I then proceed straight to sunscreen. Currently on my face is Skinceuticals’ Sheer Mineral UV Defense (£35), an old favourite because it’s smooth and matte under makeup (allowing me to skip primer), and, despite being mineral and therefore not stingy, feels entirely ungreasy. If you find you need more moisture, try Vichy’s Aqualia Thermal UV (£15.83), but I do find warm, humid weather dramatically improves dry skin.
Next comes CC cream or tinted moisturiser – a misleading name for what is essentially makeup, not skincare. I’m currently besotted with Ole Henriksen’s Perfect Truth (£29), but women of colour are better served by Lancôme’s Miracle Cushion (£29.50): both give great glow and can be applied with minimal care and attention.
I set aside powder blusher and shadow during hot weather, because it feels like overkill, looks out of place and can become blotchy. Instead, I use a single cream shadow stick to just beyond the socket, and blend with fingertip or brush. Bobbi Brown’s are my go-tos, but I must highlight the excellence of M&S Autograph’s offering (£9.50) at less than half the price. The colours are flattering and blendable, and honestly do stick fast for hours. They’re also slim enough to use as an eyeliner, skipping shadow altogether. I’m seriously impressed. Burberry Lip & Cheek Bloom (£24) is beautiful, and foolproof to apply with your middle finger, though I dab balm on to lips afterwards.
And finally, I keep everything in place with Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (£24), the only powder inconspicuous enough to make it into my heatwave kit.
