BEAUTY & HEALTH
Summer Beauty Guide
Make a splash with our best warm-weather tips for melt-proof makeup, frizz-free hair and a (safe) golden glow.
Summer’s soaring temps don’t have to cause a beauty tragedy – as long as you’re prepared. From lightening up your makeup to taming down your frizz, here’s how to beat the heat and still look flawless.
Melt-proof Makeup
Full makeup? Forget about it. “The more you pile on, the more likely it will melt off,” says New York-based makeup artist Min Min Ma, who recommends skipping foundation (if you can) in favour of an oil-free tinted moisturizer with SPF, concealer, mascara, matte bronzer and blush. Powder formulas are key: Because of their oil-absorbing properties, they last longer than creams. “If you feel the need for foundation, go for a powder one, especially if you have combination or oily skin.” Also look for waterproof or water-resistant mascaras and eyeliners to prevent smudging. A mattifying primer underneath the rest of your makeup can also help it stay put; to touch up throughout the day, use oil-blotting papers. “I am a huge fan of them because they remove unwanted shine without adding more products on your face, which can clog pores,” says Min Min Ma.
Frizz-free Hair
If your hair is fine, curly or – worse – fine and curly, then balmy weather is your enemy number one. “The moisture in the air gets into your hair, causing it to become damp, lose its style and go frizzy,” says Dylan K. Hanson, a Toronto-based celebrity hairstylist. The best way to prevent that is by prepping your hair with a lightweight styling product. Whether it’s a gel, spray, cream, foam or mousse is a matter of personal preference – according to Hanson, all of them “will extend the longevity of your style by sealing the hair and keeping moisture out.” For serious frizz prevention, choose one of the new anti-humectant products specifically designed to repel humidity. Once hair is styled, a light coat of hairspray provides an extra layer of protection. If your ends are still frizzy, “a smoothing hair serum will make them look more polished,” says Hanson. Don’t forget to keep hair hydrated by using weekly deep-conditioning masks and leave-in conditioners, as well as easing up on blow-drying and heated styling tools.
Self-tanning Tips
You already know (we hope) that there’s no such thing as a safe tan. “If you want a bit of colour, then use a self-tanner,” says Dr. Benjamin Barankin, medical director of the Toronto Dermatology Centre. “They’re much safer than increasing your risk of melanoma with sun exposure – or worse, tanning beds.” For a streak-free application, exfoliation is half the battle. Buff away the dead skin cells that can lead to patchiness, and then start with either the lightest shade of tanner or one of the new gradual tanning moisturizers for an even subtler glow. Apply it on bare skin in short, upward motions, moving from the legs to the arms and finishing with the face. It should last up to five days, provided you use a hydrating body lotion and avoid pools, hot baths and shaving, all of which can fade colour. Need instant results? Smooth on a tinted body cream, oil or gel: The latest formulas won’t transfer onto clothes, and they deliver a natural-looking tan – fast! But no matter how you get your glow on, don’t expect it to protect you from the sun. You’ll still need an SPF 30 sunscreen, says Barankin, applied 15 minutes before going outside and reapplied every two hours.
