Am I the only one who has been fighting the humidity recently? As summer edges toward the end, it’s been really humid and muggy around my area. Which results in me looking a little bit like a sweaty mess if I don’t change up my routine a bit.
In the past, I’ve gone for more sweat/oil absorbing products in the summer. I’ve also skipped steps in my routine, spot concealing instead of wearing foundation, not using powder, etc. I’ve found that creams hold up better in this kind of weather, a good setting spray is worth its weight in gold, and skin prep is even more important. My goal is makeup that makes my skin look good and that holds up for a hot and humid day, without needing a lot of touch ups! I think I accomplished that, you can see my 4 pm makeup pic below, no touchups except a little more balm added throughout the day.
All of the products I pivoted to (or am just… still obsessed with) are from Sephora. If you’re not part of Sephora’s Beauty Insider Program, here is your plug to join. It’s free. There are great perks, like early access to products and the Rewards Bazaar.
I admit that I’m also a big fan of their buy online & pick up in-store and same day delivery options, I drive right by Sephora on the way to work so I can easily pop in and grab my order! For days I’m not working, I love having my products show up on my doorstep a few hours later. These options are really important when you’re trying to get a product that keeps selling out! I’m able to watch my local Sephora’s inventory and then use BOPIS or SDD when I see it in stock.
Skin Prep
Even though I’m hot and sweaty, I still want to plump up my skin with hydration, fight aging and use a daily SPF! The key is layers of light products that don’t feel heavy on my skin. Here’s what I’ve been using lately.
• Kiehl’s 1cc* CollaShot Plumping Serum: The first step after washing my face is a couple of drops of this gel cream, which penetrates deeply to help plump the skin, and support collagen. It even has clinical trial evidence that in GLP-1 users the serum improves cheek sagging by 22%, which is unheard of for a topical product. I only need a few drops for my whole face and it sinks in quickly without leaving a residue.
• YISE Morning Cocktail Vitamin C Serum: This serum-lotion hybrid is full of Vitamin C, so perfect to prep my skin in the summer! It does add some hydration, but I use it because I like the antioxidant boost before being outside in the sun. Like the CollaShot Serum it sinks into my skin pretty quickly. Alhough I can feel this a little more on my skin, it plays well with makeup.
• Tata Harper Brightening Eye Gel: This eye gel is a newer addition to my morning routine, but I’m really loving it! This eye gel adds lot of hydration to my undereye area, really helping to plump up the skin and minimize fine lines. I love that it has a fine gold shimmer, which on the skin just looks radiant. I think it helps with minimizin the hollows under my eyes.
• Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Plumping Serum: I’ve mentioned this serum before, it’s a great lightweight but super hydrating product. It gives me skin a little slip, priming me for makeup.
• Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+: Finally, a great lightweight sunscreen is always my last step. This Tatcha one has been hanging out on my vanity this summer.
Skin Glow
So yes, this is more products than you would think for such a simple look! But, small amounts of product (in very light layers) and this combo of products seems to just work for me.
• Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder: Yes, it is a balm. You can use it under makeup as a primer (my favorite), or over makeup to help set it like powder. I apply a super light layer using my finger tips, just into my t-zone to help smooth makeup application.
• Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Multipurpose Illuminator in Starglow: If you want a little more radiance, this illuminator is perfect! It doesn’t feel heavy or affect the application of other makeup, and it doesn’t look like a disco glitter ball exploded on your face! I love Starglow, which is a pretty champagne that works for most people. But, Beachglow is a new light golden color, grab it if you see it because it is selling out everywhere! I’ve heard from friends that it is very flattering if you have a bit of a tan.
• Yves Saint Laurent Skin Affair Soft Glow Cushion Foundation in LN4: I’ve been hearing all about this foundation, and so you know I had to try it! This is super lightweight, a bit luminous and it does blend really easily and just looks like skin. I only apply to areas that I need a little bit of coverage.
• Armani Beauty Dolci Blush Balm in Cinnamon Blush and Mauve Blush: Yes, the new Armani cream blushes… They look a lot like the Merit Cream Blushes, which I have not gate kept at all as I love those. The Armani are more pigmented, and I think they are a little harder to blend and have them work well for that reason. I can draw on my face with the Merit blush and then blend with a brush. They’re really easy to work with for a natural looking flush. The Armani doesn’t blend well on my face if I do that, instead I need to apply to a hand (to heat it up with body heat and loosen it a little), and I can then pick it up with my brush and apply to my face. Once the Armani is applied, it is pretty and the shades are flattering. Mauve is a neutral that would work on pretty much anyone, and Cinnamon Blush is a natural reddish tone that looks like you’ve been out in the sun.
• Natasha Denona HY-GLAM™ Setting Powder: Have you seen this craziness yet? This really is waterproof powder. I swear there is some magic in it. It’s a very lightweight setting powder, and with a light puff it’s easy to pat a little on my t-zone. It sets it all day, and if I swim, my makeup…. just stays. So, this is perfect for hot and humid days that might get a little sweaty! I’ll be using this on my girls this upcoming dance comp season as well.
• One/Size On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray and One/Size Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray: Yes, 2 setting sprays. I use the classic On ‘Til Dawn a few times during my makeup process to help set my look, which really helps it look fresh all day. I love the super fine mist, it doesn’t mess up the make up I just applied. If I’ve used powder, then at the very end of my makeup I’ll use the Melt Glass spray. It takes away the powdery finish and makes a big difference! I also love it on the rare occasion I need a mid-day refresh, a few sprays of Melt Glass and my makeup looks fresh again!
Final Look
Here’s a look at the few things I use to finish the look:
• Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Serum Concealer: I’m really only listing the concealer here because for some odd reason this is the group of products that I took pictures with… But I really am applying my concealer toward the end of my face makeup now. A little goes a long way with my mature under eye area, and piling it on just backfires on me. But small amounts of a blendable concealer like this one can help a lot!
• Huda Beauty Lip Contour Lip Stain for 12-Hour Wear in Rosewood: My lips are pretty pale without something, and this lip stain lasts a good 5-6 hours. I like the Rosewood shade because it’s a nice neutral on my lips that is just a few shades darker than my lip color. I’ve probably used 15 of these pens at this point and I carry it with me in every purse/work bag.
• Dior Addict Glass Lipstick Ultra-Shine Hydrating Lip Gloss Stick in Sparkly Dice: I usually follow the lip stain with a balm or gloss of some sort. I’ve been really loving the new Lip Gloss Sticks from Dior! They’re not as heavy or waxy as the cult favorite Dior Addict Lip Balms (which I love), instead they’re a bit lighter and are very hydrating. Sparkly Dice is a shade that I’ve been trying to pick up for a while now, but it’s been sold out for a long time! It has a little bit of pink to the base and then some pretty sparkle.
• MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly: I think I’ve used Paint Pots for well over 20 years. Painterly is what I use as an eyeshadow base many days, though I’ll also wear it without anything else. It is pretty close to my natural skin tone, so it just covers up issues like blood vessels and looks like a clean eye.
• Lancôme Lash Idôle Curl Goddess Curling & Volumizing Mascara: This is my current go-to mascara.
• Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil Longwear Eyeliner in 612 Dimensional Dark Brown: Is it brown? Or grey? Or black? It’s actually a bit of all 3. I apply just within my upper lashes, a very thin line over the base of the lashes themselves. If you’re not pushing lashes out of the way with the pencil, then you’re too far away!
This is how the look is after a long day! I took this picture about 5 pm, without touching up, though with added lip balm.
Shop the Look
Sponsored Post: This post is a collaboration with Sephora. Product picks and opinions are all my own.
