Where I live we’ve already had two days over 100º so it looks like summer temperatures on are on the way.  Therefore, this week’s posts are all about staying cool – or, at least looking cool – during summer travel. Having lived in the desert southwest for some time now and having traveled to some hot places at the hottest time of the year (Southeast Asia in July, anyone?), I have a bit of experience with keeping cool! These may not apply to everyone, but will hopefully give you some ideas to make your summer travels a bit more comfortable.

When it comes to making your “face” last in hot weather, it all comes down to product, preparation. NOTE: I recommend trying new products at least two weeks before you travel. This gives you time to adjust application amount, ensure you have no adverse reactions, and return it if necessary.

Skin Care: For me, everything starts with the skin. Ensuring that my skin is healthy is more important to me than make up and, in my typical fashion, my routine is minimal. I use (and love) Skinceuticals Simply Clean as a daily cleanser and twice-weekly use Mario Badescu Glycolic Gel. When I travel to humid places, I use the glycolic gel a little more often. These keep my skin clear and smooth. For reference, I have a fair complexion on the cusp of “mature skin” that is normal most of the time, but does get dry from time to time.

Sunblock: After cleansing your skin, the first thing to do is apply sunblock. If you only use one product, use sunblock, regardless of your age, skin type, or skin tone. My choice is Coola, a relatively recent find of mine and I detail it’s virtues here. To me, Coola is lightweight and moisturizing enough for me to be the perfect formulation for both dry and humid conditions. I also love the matte coverage, especially for humid conditions!! Your mileage may vary, but give this a try if you are in the market for a new sunblock. When I do need more moisture, I love Hawaiian Tropic Weightless Face SPF 30.

Primer: Once the skin is protected, many make up artists and beauty experts recommend using a primer to create a foundation for your…erm…foundation.  Primers supposedly create a smoother surface and help provide staying power for foundation but I DON’T LIKE IT!! I have yet to find one that doesn’t feel like an oil slick, even on my slightly dry skin. The last thing I want on my face in the heat is a slippery goo, so I forgo primer. That being noted, I did receive a sample of Le Blanc de Chanel Multi-Use Illuminating Base that I liked. It was relatively light and felt almost refreshing in application. It did nothing to prolong a fresh-face in high heat, but your experience may be different.

Foundation: The next thing to consider is foundation. Personally, I’d rather invest in good skin over make up (see above), but I do wear mineral make up as it provides a bit of polish and extra SPF. My favorite is Bare Minerals Original. This does take a bit of practice to apply, as it is a loose power but I love the sheer (but build-able) coverage and the fact that, on me, this is relatively humidity/sweat-proof.  I have been using this for years and it never disappoints. The range of shades is impressive, too.

Eyes: Few things look worse that smudged eye make up, unless the mess is intentional and in hot, sweaty conditions eye make up is one of the first things to go. Now, you may think “well, I’ll just skip eye make up”, and that’s okay. If eye make up isn’t your thing, by all means skip it. But, if you are like me and need your eyeliner, keep reading. I alternate between two formulations of eyeliner. Pencil or powder. When I am going to be around water and in very humid places, I like to use a waterproof liner pencil and choose one with a harder consistency that still goes on easily. Dotted along the upper lash line and then quickly brushed to soften the line, this will last through anything, even an all-day snorkeling excursion! It does set rather quickly, so be sure to do one eye at a time.

For most days (regardless of where I am) I love the intentional smudge with a powder shadow and use a deeply pigmented shadow with a short-bristled brush to wiggle the shadow into my lash line, finishing with a sweep of the brush along my lower lashes. Here is a quick shot after a few hours of hiking in the dry desert heat using the above technique with a light hand.

I am not a mascara fan. I prefer to get my lashes tinted at a local salon, so I don’t have recommendations for waterproof mascara.

 

For most days (regardless of where I am) I love the intentional smudge with a powder shadow and use a deeply pigmented shadow with a short-bristled brush to wiggle the shadow into my lash line, finishing with a sweep of the brush along my lower lashes.

I am not a mascara fan. I prefer to get my lashes tinted at a local salon, so I don’t have recommendations for waterproof mascara.

Setting Spray: Once you have your face in place, it can be useful to mist with a setting spray. If I am going to an event which requires more than eyeliner, a rare occurrence, I use a setting spray and swear by Ben Nye Final Seal! This stuff is amazing, over heavy foundation or light skin tint. A mist of this (eyes, closed) and your make up will last through a humid day of sightseeing with only the slightest of touch-up necessary. Most of the time, when I want to refresh my face, I use a light mist of Dermologica HydraMist. This is great over bare skin or Bare Minerals and I truly never leave home without it, I have one in my travel kit and another in my daily handbag kit.

Lips: I wasn’t sure whether to put this with sunblock or not, but love this so much it gets its own section. About a month ago, I discovered Revlon Kiss Balm SPF 20 and I am slightly obsessed. I have never been a fan of lipstick on myself. I always feel like I am wearing those candy wax lips we had as children, but these chubby sticks provide a perfect wash of color. I love them so much, I bought all 6 colors! Each one provides a subtle tint with the Crisp Apple being a perfect sheer red. The Tropical Coconut is clear with a tiny bit of shimmer. I can’t say enough good things about these little gems!

That routine should help keep you from melting in the heat, no matter where you travel. It sounds like a lot, but it’s not. Just a simple swap for things most likely already in your routine.

What do you think? If your hot weather routine similar? Did I miss your favorite product? Let me know in the comments!