Hot tips to heat proof your hair and make-up this summer
The hot weather might be upon us but there are plenty of savvy ways you can sweat-proof your make-up and hairstyle.
An Australian summer is all about sunshine, surf and celebration — but also, all too often, a heap of unwelcome beauty dramas!
With temperatures and humidity set to soar, it’s time to arm yourself against the season’s biggest impediments to looking glam, from melting make-up to limp and frizzy hair, with the help of these expert tips.
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Best products to manage sweat
You can’t stop yourself from sweating but you can be selective in the beauty products you use.
First, use a mattifying primer on your face, make-up artist Julia Green recommends.
“(It’s) a good first step to control shine on the skin … and it will help to absorb any excess moisture,” Julia says.
You can also use the primer to spot-treat the upper lip, nose, forehead and other areas that are prone to shine.
During your make-up routine, don’t forget to use a setting spray to seal in your look.
Julia says to do this before applying mascara to avoid any mascara transfer.
And use a tubing mascara as it won’t smudge off.
“Waterproof mascaras are removed with an oil-based make-up remover, and on humid and sweaty days your skin produces more oils … meaning it can smudge your waterproof mascara,” Julia explains.
“Tubing mascara prevents this.”
Prepare for touch-ups
It’s inevitable you will have to touch up your make-up throughout the day so pack a kit to take with you.
“In your kit include a concealer, pressed powder and mini travel-sized setting spray,” Julia says.
“Blotting papers are also a helpful addition.”
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Keep your make-up light in summer
When up against heat and humidity, avoid heavy beauty looks if you don’t want your make-up to “melt” off.
“I tend towards sheer-cover tinted moisturiser or foundation and add colour using liquid or cream products,” Julia says.
“For a winning summer look, try using a peach or rose-toned cheek/lip cream on your eyes, cheeks and lips, with a slick of tubing mascara for a modern monochromatic look.”
Stop your hair from going limp in the heat
According to hair artist and colour expert Stuart Bane, avoiding limp hair is all about the products you use.
“To stop your hair from going limp and greasy during summer, invest in a colour-safe, clarifying shampoo and a dry shampoo,” Stuart says.
“Dry shampoo can (and should) be used on freshly washed hair.
“Using it before the oil arrives stops the limp locks.”
Adopt a low-maintenance, fuss-free hairstyle for summer
Summer is the ideal time to adopt a low-key approach when it comes to hair.
“Avoid over-styling your hair with excessive blow drying, as the heat and over-brushing will end up flattening it,” Stuart says.
Also, embrace texture.
“Sea salt sprays sprayed into hands and massaged into roots are great and will give you some extra volume and grit.”
Stuart suggests if your hair is prone to greasiness in summer, try to avoid looks that are flat or sleek, as they will exaggerate oily-looking hair.
“Sun creams and additional moisture (and) perspiration on the face can also contribute to hair looking greasier in the heat, especially at the front where it is touching your face,” he says.
To get around this, he recommends adding salt spray to the roots and clipping back the front sections of your hair in a half-up, half-down style.
How to fight hair frizz in the heat
Humidity equals frizz.
So, what can be done to combat it?
“Frizzy hair is desperate to be moisturised and is quite common for those who have natural waves or curls,” Stuart says.
“If you have a natural texture to your hair, don’t waste time trying to blow dry it.
“Instead, embrace it with curl balms or serums and apply these when the hair is still wet.
“Try to let your hair air dry without disturbing it too much.
“Once it is almost dry (about 80 per cent), you can then use oils and serums to polish (it).”
Shield your hair from UV rays
If you have spent a fortune colouring your strands, the last thing you want is for them to fade in the sun.
“Not only does the sun increase colour fade, but it makes hair super porous and damaged,” Stuart says.
“Make sure you pack a product with UV protection in your beach bag.
“Wear a hat where possible and make sure you wash out any salt or chlorinated water after swimming, as prolonged exposure to these elements will damage the cuticle layer and fade colour faster.”
How to stop your fragrance fading in summer
Fading perfume is a common problem in summer due to heat and humidity.
Layering is a good technique to help your fragrance go the distance, says perfumer and “scentsmith” Ainslie Walker, who runs perfume-making workshops.
“This means using a body wash, body lotion, body oil, hair perfume and then spray on top — or any combination of the formats available in your favourite scent,” Ainslie says.
“Even using an unscented body lotion under a fragrance can help with the scent clinging to skin better than on dry skin.”
Look for small atomisers and travel sizes you can take with you during the day, Ainslie adds.
Written by Tania Gomez.
