From The Straits Times    |
How to quickly fix your makeup after getting hot and sweaty in Singapore weather thumb

How to quickly fix your makeup after getting hot and sweaty in Singapore weather

Image: 123rf

These days, it doesn’t take an hour at the gym to get us breaking a sweat: The sweltering heat and cloying humidity alone are enough to turn anyone into a hot mess after spending all of five minutes outdoors. While it’s probably best to minimise the amount of makeup you wear when you know you’re going to get hot and sweaty (clogged pores are no fun), those of us who prefer wearing makeup to work need a quick-fix solution for those inevitable sweat-inducing walks to and from lunch.

Of course, when it comes to makeup and sweat, prevention is better than cure, so it’s important to make sure your makeup is as sweat-proof as possible from the get go. Before we get to the quick-fixes, here are some steps you should be taking to keep your makeup from melting off.

#1 Primer 
You want a base for your makeup to adhere to so that the heat doesn’t make it slide around as much. A long-wearing primer will do the best job at keeping your foundation intact.

#2 Foundation
Water-resistant and oil-free foundations are your best bet for keeping your makeup in place and your face looking shine-free. If you don’t want to use a heavy foundation, try tinted moisturisers or serum- and water-based foundations, which are less likely to cake on your face and settle into your fine lines when you perspire. They’re also much easier to clean up and reapply on the go if only certain areas need fixing. 

#3 Waterproof everything
Hell-bent on wearing eyeliner and mascara? Make sure they’re waterproof so they don’t streak down your face when you perspire. When it comes to blush, a cream blush or tint is going to last better than a powder formula that might cake or get patchy.

#4 Set your face
Setting powder is needed on anything cream or liquid-based so it doesn’t crease, but make sure it’s a lightweight translucent powder that won’t settle into lines. Top it all off with a setting spray to seal everything in place. I like Urban Decay’s De-Slick Oil-Control setting spray, which keeps my skin from getting greasy and also boasts cooling ingredients that promise to lower the temperature of your skin.  

how to get your makeup sweat proof in singapore weather

Image: Showbit

Now on to the quick fixes. If you’ve just finished a workout or are back in the office after a sweltering lunch, here are some easy ways to get your makeup looking refreshed in a jiffy.

#1 Cool yourself down
Before you fix your makeup, you need to stop perspiring. A quick mist of thermal spring water does wonders for lowering the heat on the surface of your face. Look out for products that dispense the finest mist possible, as these do a better job and doesn’t ruin your makeup while you’re at it. If you want to lower your body temperature faster, try holding something cold to the back of your neck. Fun fact: MMA fighters do this to cool down as quickly as possible between boxing rounds, so it’s got to be one of the quickest methods, short of taking a cold shower or an ice bath.

#2 Clean up any mess
Blot your face to remove excess moisture or shine before you assess what else needs to be touched up. It’s important to clean up patches that look particularly greasy as well as anything that has been smeared or is looking cakey. When cleaning up any mess that needs fixing, use a makeup wipe for better precision; these also boast the bonus benefit of not requiring any rinsing after. 

If you followed the necessary steps to sweat-proof your makeup, the mess should be minimal, with no eyeliner or mascara smudges. If your foundation or concealer needs touching up, try going over it gently with a damp sponge before reapplying (a quick bounce or three with a damp Beautyblender is my preference). The sponge will help smooth out any patchiness and allow the concealer or foundation to blend easily into the rest of your face.

If your makeup wasn’t sweat-proof and everything has slid off your face, the easiest thing to do would be to take it all off and reapply the basics. A time-sensitive regime that’ll still leave you looking polished would involve some tinted moisturiser, concealer, setting powder, a brow pencil, mascara and eyeliner, so stash these items on your office desk or in your makeup pouch.

As a rule, if you’re planning on wearing makeup for a few more hours, I highly recommend cleansing your face and reapplying everything so that the sweat and makeup doesn’t clog your pores.

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