Your holy grail concealer and foundation may do wonders for the rest of the year, but they may not hold up as well once the temperature starts to rise. You’ll find that powder foundation tends to melt under the white-hot sun just as mascara and liquid eyeliner tend to run.
If you want to take your look to the pool for a mini pictorial before your dip, the common misconception is, using your everyday makeup products is likely to get you splashed.
But let us tell you a secret: there are regular, supposedly non-waterproof products that tend to stay on despite the sun and pool water. We stayed in the water for an hour to test out products from various brands and of different consistencies for you!
The Look:
Since the idea is makeup that you can bring to the pool, we wanted a fresh look that’s enough to make us look awake (and cute in photos), but not too strong. We prepped our faces as usual: with moisturizer and a lightweight primer. We went for barely-there makeup that’s comfortable, matte, and light. We used a lot of pinks and highlighter, and experimented with formulations (cream vs. liquid, tint vs. powder).
On Me:
Products used: L’Oreal Mat BB Veil Powder, BYS Brow Tattoo, KJM Cheek and Lip Tint, Pink Sugar Our Lil’ Secret Concealer, Maybelline Color Show Blush in Peachy Sweetie, KJM Liptint in Bloody Magenta LOL Crème Illuminator in Daisy Diamonds
The Verdict:
Base: Pink Sugar Our Lil’ Secret Concealer 5/5 – You need a powerhose to remove this thing, seriously.
Foundation: L’Oreal Mat BB Veil Powder 3/5 – This does a good job at “blurring” pores and even shallower ice pick scars, BUT it does not hold up when used in the pool. Tip: Nichido Pressed Powder tends to be more “waterproof” (check the review here.)
Brows: BYS Brow Tattoo 4/5 – This holds up, as promised, but stay in the water for too long and it will start running (raccoon eyes, anyone?)
Cheeks: Maybelline Color Show Blush in Peachy Sweetie 3.5/5 – Stays on for some time, but wears off after about half an hour.
Lips: KJM Liptint in Bloody Magenta – 3.5/5 Holds up for a bit, but not exactly waterproof.
Highlighter: LOL Crème Illuminator in Daisy Diamonds 4/5 – It does wear off, but it leaves a nice sheen that gives the skin a dewy glow.
On Ashley:
Products used: Super BB Fresh Matte Cream in Natural, The Face Shop Watery Tint in #04 Red Up, Maybelline Fashion Brow Palette, Maybelline White Super Fresh Foundation in Natural, Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara, Sleek Makeup Highlighter Palette in Solstice, Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor™ in Kisses, Aido Eyeliner (came in a pack, check out review here)
Base: Super BB Fresh Matte Cream in Natural 3/5 – Good coverage, but it wore off after one dip. To be fair, not anywhere did it say that it’s waterproof.
Foundation: Maybelline White Super Fresh Foundation in Natural 4/5 – This line is specially formulated to withstand moisture, and it does. However, it tends to get patchy and leaves a white cast.
Cheeks: The Face Shop Watery Tint in #04 Red Up 3/5 – We used this on Ash’s cheeks, and since it’s the most waterproof lip tint there is, it washed off easily.
Eyes: Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara 4/5 – Wouldn’t give you raccoon eyes and wouldn’t leave tiny mascara bits on your undereye, but it tends to run a bit.
Lips: Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor™ – 2.5/5 – It got washed off the first few minutes.
Highlighter: Sleek Makeup Highlighter Palette in Solstice 3/5 – It washed off before the one-hour mark. Did not leave a nice sheen like the crème illuminator.
Eyeliner: Aido Eyeliner 5/5 – This stays on forever!
The Final Verdict:
And here are the winners (in boldface):
Base: Pink Sugar Our Lil’ Secret Concealer 5/5 vs. Super BB Fresh Matte Cream in Natural 3/5
Foundation: L’Oreal Mat BB Veil Powder 3/5 vs. Maybelline White Super Fresh Foundation in Natural 4/5 also try: Nichido Pressed Powder
Cheeks: Maybelline Color Show Blush in Peachy Sweetie 3.5/5 Vs. The Face Shop Watery Tint in #04 Red Up 3/5
Eyes: Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara 4/5
Lips: KJM Liptint in Bloody Magenta – 3.5/5 vs. Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor™ – 2.5/5
Highlighter: LOL Crème Illuminator in Daisy Diamonds 4/5 vs. Sleek Makeup Highlighter Palette in Solstice 3/5
Eyeliner: Aido Eyeliner 5/5
When dolling up before going out for a swim, stick to lightweight makeup instead of going for super-glue gunk. The trick lies not in putting on layer after layer of makeup, but in choosing the right products. Remember, the goal is to look put together while still allowing your face to breathe.
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