Makeup in summer: the eternal struggle.
Even if Ireland has, for the time being, escaped the grips of a heatwave, most of us will have spent many a morning, afternoon or evening fighting to keep any amount of foundation or concealer on our shiny faces.
Indeed, when it comes to keeping your glam in place during the summer, it's almost a losing battle. Never mind sweat and oils secreted from your skin during the day adding to the slippage of your makeup, in heat foundation, lipstick and even mascara simply melts away.
One trick we've found to be particularly helpful is spot concealing, the minimalist approach to correcting your skin using targeted, heavy-duty products, while not clogging your skin with too many layers of makeup.
Celine Bernaerts, a makeup artist based in The Netherlands, is a firm champion of the technique and frequently posts tutorials to her 183,000 Instagram followers.
The idea is that you only apply makeup where you really need it, allowing the rest of your skin without blemishes to breathe.
You start with a well-hydrated skincare base, using SPF as always. Then, using either your fingers or a small makeup brush, apply dots of concealer to the blemishes you want to cover. Leave for a few seconds before buffing away the edges to blend into the skin.
Finish with a dab of setting powder and setting spray if needed and you're done! The result is fresh, natural looking skin that won't require countless touch-ups during the day.
This is genius for two reasons: one, concealer is designed to have more staying power than foundation and can be more easily locked into place; and two, having less makeup on your face means less upkeep, allowing you to easily blot away sweat or oil throughout the day.
As skin types vary from person to person, choosing the right concealer for you will be central to perfecting this trick. Here are our top picks for long-lasting and hydrating concealers!
Elf Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer, roughly €5.50, Superdrug
MAC Studio Fix 24-Hour Smooth Wear Concealer, €23.50, Brown Thomas
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, €29.50, Brown Thomas
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Liquid Concealer, €30
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, €4.99, Boots
Jouer Cosmetics Essential High Coverage Liquid Concealer, €20, Beauty Bay
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Concealer, €25
Bourjois Radiance Reveal Concealer, €10.99, Boots
