Summers in India are generally known for being sweltering and relentless. We have around 6-8 months of summer in our country. So, it is important that you peep into your make-up stash when summers arrive and make suitable changes, to keep your skin problem free and glowing, even in the heat.
The old adage of ‘Prevention is better than cure’ holds true for your skin too. It is better to prevent or minimise the damage caused by the harsh sun rays, than to treat skin once damage has occurred. Sunscreens save your skin from tanning, sun burns, pigmentation, and in the long run, skin cancer. Invest in good quality sunscreens with a minimum SPF-30 content. For the face, it could be a sunscreen lotion/ gel/ moisturiser, or a primer with SPF. For the rest of the body, you can use a sunscreen lotion. Always apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes before sun exposure for the sunscreen to be effective.
facial pigmentation and spots are a common occurrence in our country. It is important to keep the skin looking clear, and color-correctors come handy. Color correctors neutralise any discoloration on the skin, and make it look like the rest of the face. If you have dark under eye circles or dark skin around the corners of the mouth, use an orange concealer or color corrector. To hide redness due to acne, use a green color corrector.
To keep looking fresh, and to avoid looking too made-up during summers, use mineral make-up. Mineral make-up is gentle on the skin, and does not lead to break-outs or clogged pores, and is suitable for summers.
As far as possible, avoid heavy make-up, and minimise the use of liquid foundation if it gets too hot and humid. Use mineral foundation or mousse, whichever suits your skin. Use liquid concealers instead of cream concealers. If you do not need too much coverage, use powder foundation.
Use tinted lip balms, or hydrating lipsticks in summers, but avoid the over-the-top glossy lips. Lips should look moist but not too glossy. Tangerine, coral and pink are the shades to check out this season! Use lip products with SPF for added protection.
Minty, fresh colors are the ‘IN’ thing for nails this season, so go flaunt some fresh nail-color in minty shades.
for day time, keep eyes neutral. For evenings or parties, smoke the eyes, and pair them with nude lips.
A flush of color on the cheeks is always welcome. Choose shades of coral and earthy brown for the summers. Do not go overboard with blush, or you’ll end up looking like a clown. In the evening, use a highlighter on the high point of the cheek bones to accentuate your facial features.
Simple eye make-up, peachy cheeks and nude lips
Even with all the above tips, the skin might start looking dull after mid-day. Always keep some cooling spray at hand, to hydrate and freshen up your skin at any time during the day.