Finding Your Perfect Colors

Now that spring has finally made an appearance, you're undoubtedly looking forward to enjoying some warm weather for a change. After all, it's been a rough winter in many parts of the country. If you're like most people, you've probably got some events such as weddings, parties, and barbecues to attend this summer, and perhaps you'll be enjoying a vacation at some sun-splashed resort, a national park, or another fabulous place. No matter what's on the agenda, you probably want to look good — and you may be wondering how to pull that off when seasonal temperatures rise to 85 degrees and higher. Most women already know the strategies involved in presenting a pulled-together appearance when it's warm outside, but hot temperatures are an entirely different matter. 

Following are six strategies designed to help you put your best face forward when summer temperatures soar.

Use a Makeup Primer Formulated for Heat

Makeup primers are great ways to help keep foundation in place, but be sure to choose one that's formulated for use on hot days. This should go on your face after you've applied a layer of summer-weight, oil-free moisturizer to your skin. Be sure to keep the application light without being so stingy with the product that has little or no effect. 

Carry Blotting Papers

Face it, no matter what precautions you take against summer heat melting your makeup, you're probably going to sweat a bit, and blotting papers are invaluable when this happens. They come in small packets that are easy to tuck into purses or cell phone cases until they're needed. For an extra nice touch, use scented blotting papers.

Wear a Matte Lip Stain Instead of a Gloss or Traditional Lipstick 

Traditional lipstick tends to melt all over when the temperatures get much above 80 degrees, and lip gloss just adds to the slick look if you happen to start to sweat. The best choice for a hot summer day is a matte lip stain that's formulated with plenty of sunscreen — many people erroneously believe that the lip area doesn't need as much sunscreen as other parts of the body because it's more heavily pigmented. If the occasion is casual, however, a lightly tinted lip balm might be a better option. 

Skip the Powder

Although light layers of powder are often recommended as a shine control strategy on hot days, powder and sweat don't mix. When you sweat while wearing powder, the result is a slushy, patchy look — the combination of sweat and powder creates a pasty substance that's very difficult to remove without a thorough face wash. However, rules aren't absolutes — if you've got very dry skin that isn't prone to breaking out into a sweat, a very light layer of pressed powder probably can't do you any harm.

Bypass the Shimmer

Shimmer is a popular ingredient in makeup items from lipstick to eyeshadow, but when preparing your face for a hot day, use products in which shimmer is not a part of the picture. It'll just make you look sweaty and hot, and its texture makes it very unlikely to stay in place. Choose clear shades and use a light touch.

Go Waterproof 

Waterproof makeup is the secret weapon of models when they've got to endure hours under the hot lights of a photo shoot. If you've got an outdoor function where the weather report calls for hot temperatures, go waterproof, particularly for products such as mascara that can run down your face if the weather gets hot enough to cause them to melt. 

When all else fails, carry a spritzer of rose water and give your face a good spritz every now and then. 

For more information, reach out to a cosmetics company such as Return to Eden Cosmetics.