Wellness

When the mercury rises and the humidity’s intense, it’s hard to imagine anything more than a light layer of moisturiser on your face, let alone a full face of makeup. Read on for the best tips and tricks to sweat-proof your makeup in the scorching summer heat.

1. Less is More

As temperatures climb, you should start thinking about streamlining your makeup routine. Less makeup on your face means less chance of drippage. Try to spot conceal instead of using a full face of foundation, applying camouflage only on the areas that need it. Then blend, blend, blend for a seamless finish.

2. Choose Longwear Formulas

If you’re looking for full-coverage options, you might want to try all those products that brag about all day wear. Long gone are the days when full coverage meant that your base had to look like it had been smeared on with a trowel. Today’s long wear formulations are not only highly pigmented and transfer-resistant, but also meld beautifully to form a second skin. Look out for brands like Fenty, Huda Beauty, Tarte and Cover FX that offer over 40 shade options in their foundation ranges.

3. Blotting Paper is Your Friend

Whilst it may seem instinctive to grab the driest powder at hand to get rid of a greasy shine, it’s actually the one product you should avoid. Hot, oily skin plus any kind of powder will result in a cakey, blotchy mess. Instead opt for blotting papers that will soak up any excess grease and mattify the surface of the skin without disturbing your makeup underneath.

4. Prime Your Eyelids

We all know that the T-zone is an area that’s susceptible to midday shine; but did you know that your eyelids can get super greasy too? To prevent raccoon eyes and keep your liner looking sharp, you need to add an eyelid primer to your routine. It creates a grippy base that locks your eye makeup in place for hours, whatever the weather. Not to mention, it will give your eyeshadow a truer, richer colour that will last all day.  Try NYX Transparent Proof It Eyeshadow Primer for an effective see-through option that won’t break the bank.

5. Invest in a Heavy-Duty Makeup Setting Spray

Whether it’s an abnormally hot day or a special event, a quick spritz of a high-quality setting spray will ensure total makeup lockdown all day long. Mist it lightly over your perfectly glammed face and allow it to dry down to a natural finish. Remember though, not all setting sprays are created equal, so look for a formula that addresses your specific needs. From sebum control and radiance boosters to antioxidants and wrinkle relaxants, there are now setting sprays to cater to every skin concern.

Want to bring life back to your locks, read more on our latest blog.

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Today’s beauty lovers are savvier than ever. Long gone are the days when we’d be impressed with quick fixes and glossy packaging. Now, we not only want beautiful, highly effective products, but we also need to know what we’re putting on our skin and where it comes from. Open any social media platform, and you’ll be faced with this “clean and green” explosion that’s taking over the beauty world.

Suddenly, our eyes are open and we’re asking questions. “Are my products organic and sustainable? Are they vegan and cruelty-free? Are they harming me or the environment?!” Phew! It’s enough to have you breaking out into a sweat, and clearing out your bathroom drawers in a frenzied panic. If you’re as confused as a chameleon in a bag of Skittles, then grab a cuppa, read on and let Tish Tash clear things up for you.

What Does “Clean” Really Mean?

From “clean”, “natural” and “organic”, to “green”, “ethical” or “eco-friendly”, you’ll be surprised to know that these terms are completely unregulated and their meanings change from one company to another.

To complicate things even more, the FDA doesn’t require brands to test or preapprove cosmetic ingredients, with the exception of color additives. The European law governing cosmetics is slightly stricter in its approach, as all products must be clearly labeled, listing ingredients in descending order of percentage.

Nowadays, there’s a general consensus in the industry that “clean” refers to products that prefer naturally-sourced ingredients, but often include synthetics that have been deemed safe for people and planet. In other words, “clean” doesn’t necessarily mean chemical-free, which is what sets it apart from brands that claim to be “natural.”

Natural can be clean, but clean isn’t always natural; it’s just free of certain controversial ingredients — like parabens or formaldehydes.

So, What’s the Difference Between “Clean” and “Green”?

In a nutshell, products claiming to be “clean” will generally never contain synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, SLS and SLES, formaldehyde, mineral oil, or lead. On the other hand, a “green” beauty brand will ensure that its ingredients and business practices are environmentally sustainable and socially responsible.

We often wrongly assume that all-natural ingredients are safe and better for your skin than synthetic ones, which isn’t always the case. For example, petroleum jelly and essential oils are perfect examples of natural ingredients which can be harmful to some. On the flip side, many man-made substances have been carefully engineered to cater to the most sensitive of skins. It’s a delicate, and sometimes complicated scale to balance.

Beware of Greenwashing!

There’s no denying that green beauty is big business. So, it’s not surprising that brands are now looking to jump on the bandwagon. But when a company spends more time and money claiming to be ‘green’ through advertising and marketing than actually implementing ethical business practices that minimize their impact on the environment, this is what’s known as “greenwashing.”

The only real way to avoid being ‘played’ by greenwashing is to ask questions and do your research. A brand that’s genuinely concerned about the environment and ethical business practices will be transparent and make all its data readily available on its website or other public platforms. If a brand seems like it’s all talk and no action, then it’s probably worth diving deeper to find out where they really stand on the issues that matter most to you.

So how do you decide? In reality, there really is no right answer. It’s a matter of preference and personal priorities. Whether you’re looking for no-nasties ingredients, wow-factor results, or ethical trade practices, many “clean” brands now offer products that will satisfy your needs, wherever your priorities lie on the scale.

Looking for some clean beauty alternatives to beat the heat, click here to read more.

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If you suffer from oily, acne-prone skin, preventing your make-up from melting off your face can be a daily battle. Add hot weather and humidity to the mix, and you have the perfect recipe for looking, and feeling, like a hot mess.

Camouflaging blemishes is an important part of managing acne, but using the wrong products will only make matters worse. From prepping skin to applying that last finishing touch, these foolproof make-up basics will give you the impeccable results you’re looking for.

Primer is Key

Applied after skincare and before make-up, primer is the first line of defense in your routine, helping to prep skin and prolong make-up wear. So, it’s key that your primer blurs away imperfections, captures oil and prevents the dreaded midday shine.

Primers for acne-prone skin generally contain oil-absorbing ingredients like dimethicone, that smooth, mattify and have a powdery feel. Other added ingredients are probably ones that already exist in your skincare routine; think salicylic acid, sulfur and benzoyl peroxide, which are all over-the-counter actives that help to combat acne. Words like mattifying, oil-free, or pore-minimizing on the packaging are your best bet for a shine-free finish. Flormar Pore Minimizer Makeup Primer soaks up excess grease and leaves skin looking velvety, yet fresh.

Velvet-Smooth Base

Whether you get the odd spot here and there, or you suffer from recurring acne breakouts, you can be sure of one thing: the wrong foundation can make your textured complexion look infinitely worse. Your base product should always be hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and preferably, free from common skin irritants like essential oils and synthetic fragrances. Choose a formula that doesn’t exacerbate your breakouts, neutralizes redness, absorbs excess oil, and if you’re really lucky, even treats your existing blemishes with antibacterial, pore-clearing ingredients. The Body Shop Matte Clay Skin Clarifying Foundation is a lightweight, 100% vegan liquid formula that’s enriched with a powerful blend of tea tree oil and natural clay to fight imperfections and sop up oil throughout the day. Don’t forget to clean your brushes at least once a week to prevent contamination and buildup, which can lead to further breakouts.

Tactical Concealer

When we’re blighted with blemishes, it can be tempting to go in thick and heavy with concealer, but this common mistake will have your skin looking more polka-dot than picture-perfect. The secret lies in a light-handed approach and a tactical application method. Start by applying a light layer of foundation, then use a fine-tipped eyeliner brush to apply a full coverage concealer, like the Wet & Wild Photo Focus, just where you need it, and gently blend for a seamless finish.

Photo Finish

Whilst we may all love a dewy, luminous complexion, it’s not the best option for excessively oily or textured skin. A light dusting of specially formulated powder will not only keep your make-up looking flawless for longer, but also blur imperfections and make raised pimples look flatter. If you’re looking for a colourless option, Note Translucent Setting Powder locks in your make-up and is packed with nourishing goodies. It’s infused with a blend of carrot root extract, carrot seed oil and B-carotene, proven to protect against the effects of blue light, plus hemp seed oil to keep skin looking soft and radiant.

Our team are always working on the best tips, read more here.

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