So here we are, at the height of the Great British Summer, and we all know what that means. Disappointing weather, last minute BBQ cancellations and an overwhelming flood of smug ‘How’s your Monday looking?’ Instagram posts. For some of us, the much anticipated summer holiday has been and gone and all we have left is distant memories, a slight hint of tan that we WILL cling onto for as long as we possibly can, and an unpacked suitcase that we’re just not ready to let go of yet (I feel you, girl). But for the lucky lot that still have a vacay pending and are looking for some holiday makeup inspo, this ones for you.
Now, maybe I’ve just listened to Wild Thoughts 876 times too many and it’s gone to my head, but for me this summer has been all about Latin vibes. Bronzed skin, sleek hair, floral prints and a trusty pair of big old hoops have been a go-to for me this summer. It’s such an effortless look and well, if it’s good enough for Rihanna, it’s good enough for us. So I wanted to take inspiration and create a look that tied all these elements together – bronzed dewy skin, smokey sultry eyes and a pop of colour.
Now I know what you’re thinking. You’re gonna be dancing the night away in 40 degree heat in a Ibiza, and there’s no way your makeup is staying on anytime past 11PM. But fear not – because I already know you so well I’ve put together a list of tips and tricks to keep you looking like a sassy senorita until you stumble home at 7am. Keep reading to get the lowdown, to see my finished look and to find out which products I used to achieve it.
G x
Rule #1 – Less Is More
Time for a riddle. Do you know what’s worse than a layer of foundation slipping around on your face? Three layers of foundation slipping around on your face. The absolute worst thing you could do when trying to tackle the heat is to keep adding more in the hope of it becoming some sort of industrial strength invincible mask that will protect your from the heat. Hell no girl – your face is not the Great Wall of China, it’s an angelic little blessing from heaven and it deserves to be treated as so. Pick 1 high quality foundation that is made for oil control and longevity, and apply carefully and sparingly. Estee Lauder Double Wear and MAC Studio Fix Fluid are excellent heavy duty foundations that are amazing at controlling shine and staying put. Just apply a minimal amount, blend it out carefully, and set it in place properly. If you’re conscious of breakouts or dark circle, let the concealer do the work.
Rule #2 – Waterproof It
Most people don’t even consider waterproof products unless they’re going to be literally head first in the hotel pool doing handstands, but they’re actually great for withstanding the heat too. Eyeliner and mascara tend to transfer immediately in humidity, leaving you with very attractive black smudges around your eyes – not exactly the smokey, sultry look I was talking about earlier. Using waterproof products instead will really prevent this, and will lock down your eye makeup all night. I always use waterproof mascara and eyeliner on my clients for this reason, and my go-to products are Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara and Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner.
Rule #3 – Blot It Out
When it comes to oil control, adding more and more powder isn’t always the best option (see Rule #1 re. Great Wall of China). It can get cakey, blotchy, and make things even worse in the long run. I really recommend using blotting papers to diminish any oiliness first, and then powdering a tiny amount on top only in emergencies. You can find blotting papers in most high street makeup stores, NYX do a great set. Just press them gently over the oily areas to remove as much excess oil as you can, and then blend the skin with a soft powder brush to smooth everything out again.
Rule #4 – Keep In Line
Lipstick is another product that can get a bit messy when paired with direct sunlight and a few too many cocktails. Particularly with a satin or crème finish lipstick, it can slip around, smudge easily and disappear very quickly. To avoid this, I prefer to build the colour with a lip liner instead, and then add an inoffensive balm or gloss on top. Lip liner tends to be much more long wearing and mattifying, so it acts almost like a lip stain when applied on it’s own. Just line the lips as usual, then fill in the rest of the lip and use your ring finger to blend it all in. If you prefer a glossier finish, add something colourless on top – this means the colour of your lip liner won’t be altered, and if your gloss does transfer it’s pretty much invisible anyway – genius!
Product Breakdown
For the base:
Nivea Men Sensitive Post-shave Balm
MAC Studio Fix Fluid in ‘NC40’
LA Girl HD Pro Concealer in ‘Light Ivory’
Ben Nye Luxury Loose Setting Powder in ‘Banana’
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
For the glow:
Iconic London Liquid Illuminator in ‘Original’
Ofra Highlighting Powder in ‘Rodeo Drive’
Benefit Hoola Bronzer
MAC Powder Blush in ‘Gingerley’
For the eyes:
MAC Paint Pot in ‘Soft Ochre’
Morphe ’35k Koffee’ Palette
NYX Cosmetics Pigment in ‘Venetian’
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in ‘Dark Brown’
NYX Control Freak Brow Gel in ‘Clear’
Maybelline Gel Liner in ‘Black’
Maybelline Waterproof Lash Sensation in ‘Very Black’
Eylure Lashes in ‘157’
For the lips:
NYX Cosmetics Lip Liner in ‘Hot Red’
NYX Cosmetics Soft Matte Lip Crème in ‘Morocco’
Georgia Tobiasen 