Welcome to Beauty School! Every Monday, JET experts will teach you how to preserve your sexy. This week, makeup artist, beauty expert and former pageant gal Nicole L. Townsend teaches us how to keep our makeup from melting in her summer skin tutorial. Take notes!
Nicole Townsend, Make-up Artist
I’m sure you can come up with a hundred and one reasons why you shouldn’t wear makeup in the summertime, but I’d counter your claim and say that there are more reasons why you should. These simple beauty tips will not only make you feel good about your appearance, but you’ll feel more in control of your daily beauty regimen.
1. Big Screen
First, use a moisturizer that contains an SPF to protect your skin from harmful UVB rays. One of the most common misconceptions about African American skin is that we can skip the SPF because our skin is more pigmented. Wrong. Regular use of sunscreen not only protects your skin from dangerous melanoma, it also serves as a great anti-aging benefit. After you moisturize with SPF, skip the foundation and use a tinted moisturizer, bronzer or powder instead. Tinted moisturizers have a lightweight consistency that evens out the skin tone and conceal minor blemishes. Second, if you absolutely have to wear foundation, use a primer underneath for lasting wear.
2. Take a Powder
When it’s unbearably hot out, I opt for cream-based eye shadows. They come in a variety of shades, and they’re super easy to apply. I think it’s fair to assume that most of us are a bit oiler during the summer months and cream eye shadows usually absorb access oil for lasting coverage. I like to dab a little loose power on top to seal the deal.
3. Pencils Down
Define your eyes with a liquid or gel eye liner, instead of a pencil. Most of them (pencils) aren’t smudge proof, so you’ll probably have raccoon eyes when you remove your shades. Liquid eye liner takes a steady hand to apply, but you can use a precision eye liner brush to apply the gel if you don’t have the Midas touch. Complete the look with waterproof mascara and you’re done!
4. Don’t Short Sheet
Always travel with oil blotting sheets, a lip balm with SPF, gloss and a compact mirror for touchups on the go. The oil blotting sheets, from Clean & Clear, are really inexpensive and they absorb excess oil without stripping your makeup. I usually prep my lips before applying a lip color by exfoliating them with a toothbrush and moisturizing with a lip balm that has an SPF. These quick steps will help your color to last longer throughout the day.
Do you love makeup as much as I do? Have summer survival tips to share? I’d love to hear from you!
