Beat The Heat Part 2: Choose Your Foundation Wisely!

In my last post I talked about the importance of a good base for preserving your makeup through sweat, heat, and a long day. However, that's only step one!

It's also important to think about two other things: your foundation and your setting spray. Foundation goes over your base and blends with concealer to make your skin look smooth, youthful, and unblemished. I gotta say though - for me, foundation is optional. During the summer I often choose to go without foundation - sometimes I hate feeling like I have so much on my face, especially if I'm going to be walking around a lot in the sun. On those days, I tend to match an eye and lip look with a good sunscreen!

I'll stress this first - SUN CARE IS SO IMPORTANT! We all know the risks of cancer that come with continuous exposure to UVA and UVB rays. Even if you avoid that, think about your skin long term. Prolonged sun exposure without sunscreen (or a great hat!) can dry out your skin and accelerate the process of wrinkling and discolouration. So if you can't find a sunscreen with a high SPF that plays nicely with your foundation - skip it!

For the record, I recommend Vichy Ideal Soleil in SPF 60. It sinks in great, doesn't leave me greasy, and doesn't have an oily or white cast. I don't generally use it under foundation though, and sunscreens/makeup that claims to have SPF is another post.

So, foundation. Choosing the right foundation for your skin and the time of year is important. I have a few that I go back and forth on. On the left and right are my Laura Mercier Silk Creme Oil Free Photo Edition foundations ($58 CAD/1oz). I have two because I find that after the summer, as my tan fades, I tend to follow a slow transition from dark to light. So one is a darker shade and one is a bit lighter - being able to mix them or use them on their own suits me really well as my summer tan fades.

In the middle is my Urban Decay Naked Skin in shade 3.5 ($47 CAD/1oz). I LOVE this foundation for summer! It was an impulse buy a little while ago because I needed something unexpectedly. Yep, I had a foundation emergency... It's a little darker, meant for my tanned skin only. I used it to cover up a sunburn. Remember kids...if you're wearing sunglasses, remember to re-sunscreen your nose frequently. I made that mistake.

So, to compare and contrast the two - the LM is heavier coverage, and its better for my drier skin in the winter. I find it breaks down on my nose a little easier if I'm having an oily day, and I always make sure to carry a powder with me for touch ups. It's medium-full coverage, and good for people with combination skin. I also tend to break out when I'm stressed (during the school year, hello..) and it does a great job with the angry red blemishes. I also tend to be oily in my T-zone and dry on my cheeks, normal around my eyes. A little goes a long way, and I apply it with my fingers and blend out with a beauty blender. I would not recommend a brush for this foundation.

The UD foundation is medium - light coverage. It's better for hot days and seems to barrel through any oiliness without breaking down as much. I find that I tend to get a dewier look with this after a few hours, but it refuses to budge in the heat, esp. after a setting spray. Again, I apply with my fingers and blend out with a beauty blender. Combined with the naked concealer, this foundation is a dream to wear!

This is after ~5 hours of wear in humid weather at a friend's bbq. Still have great coverage, not too shiny, and I like to think I look darn flawless!

Though I gotta say, I probably owe a lot of that to my primer and setting spray.

Alas, this post is getting long - so I think setting spray will have to be part 3, probably tomorrow. I'll also post something about the products used in this look, as its easy and wore well in the heat.

That's it for today. Wishing y'all a happy Saturday!