Hong Kong is known for its hot and sticky summers. Having oily/combination skin myself, there’s a delicate balance to strike to ensure I stay hydrated and glowy without looking like a greasy disco ball. Here are my top tips for long-lasting, radiant makeup in Hong Kong’s tropical, humid weather!
Skin prep is key
A good makeup day starts with clean and moisturised skin. Even if you’ve done your skincare in the morning, it’s best to re-prep your base before applying makeup! So start by cleansing with a gentle & hydrating cleanser to remove any excess oils. I personally like to skip out on more abrasive ingredients like exfoliants or retinoids to avoid drying out the skin.
Our skin tends to get oilier in summer, so you might feel inclined to skip out on moisturiser. But, instead of going with no moisturiser at all, choose a lightweight, oil-free, water-based moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated without feeling too heavy. This step is key to ensure comfortable, long-lasting makeup.
After you’ve applied your skincare & SPF, let the products sink into the skin for a few minutes before moving onto makeup.
Cleanser: KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser, First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser
Moisturiser: THE INKEY LIST Omega Water Cream, Cerave Moisturising Lotion
SPF: Paula’s Choice Youth Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid, Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen
Don’t skip primer
Primer is a must when it comes to sweat-proof makeup. I like to do a combination of primers: a mattifying, oil-free primer to control excess oil & minimise pores for the T-zone where I’m oilier, and a hydrating, glowy primer for the rest of the face. A primer that is a little tacky after application will grip the makeup to your skin, making it less prone to sliding around throughout the day. To prevent pilling, don’t use too much and wait a minute for the primer to set before applying your skin tint/foundation.
A makeup hack that a makeup artist introduced me to on set is to use a little bit of eyeshadow primer on your most stubborn oily areas (which in my case is my nose)!
Matte Primers: Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Primer, Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer, MAC Studio Fix Mattifine Shine Control Primer
Glowy Primers: M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Radiance Moisturizing & Illuminating Silk Primer, Dior Beauty Forever Skin Glow Veil Radiance Primer, Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Illuminating Primer
Go for lightweight and long-wearing formulas
You don’t want heavy layers on your skin when it’s so hot out, so lightweight products that have good intense pigment and buildable coverage are preferred! I tend to gravitate towards skin tints or tinted moisturisers paired with spot concealing for the summer as opposed to a full coverage foundation. If you have oily skin, look for something with a natural matte finish and if you choose to go with a full-coverage foundation option, look for products with long-wearing properties.
Skin Tints: Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint, Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Foundation: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation, MAC Studio Radiance Serum Powered Foundation
Consider incorporating powder products
As an oily/combination skin girl, I can’t complete a makeup routine without powder! Powder-based makeup layered over cream products help to seal products in place and set the look for unmatched lasting power. I like to apply setting powder over concealer, layer powder blush to amplify pigment over cream blush, or even dab on a powder eyeshadow over a creamy gel eyeliner!
To look dewy but not overly oily or sweaty, powder the centre of the forehead, sides of the nose, and chin which are the areas that tend to make you look greasy instead of glowy.
Using a powder puff could look more matte and heavier on the skin, whereas powdering with a brush will give a more natural, subtle look for the skin’s natural glow to peek through. I always love to finish up my makeup by dusting on a light layer of finishing, blotting powder for an even more seamless, airbrushed look!
Loose setting powder: Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Setting Powder, Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder
Finishing powder: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder, Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Powder, Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Pressed Powder
Layer setting spray between each step
It’s most common to apply setting spray as the very last step in your makeup routine to seal everything in place, but some makeup artists taught me to use setting spray in between each step, which means a spritz after foundation, then one after concealer and another after blush to help extend the life of your glam. In between sprays, it’s best to let your setting spray dry & settle into the skin for a few minutes before adding the next product layer. This is a great way to lock your makeup in place so it will last from day to night.
It’s recommended to spray at least 4-6 inches away from your face to allow for a finer mist. Spraying too closely can cause water droplets that lead to makeup separation.
Setting Spray: One Size On Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray
Use stains to prolong staying power
Unlock the secret to transfer-proof, long-lasting lip colour with a good lip stain. There are so many new inventions with peel-off technology to stain your lips with colour that lasts for hours! Throw on a hydrating gloss on top, now you can swim and sip cocktails on the beach without having to worry about your lip colour coming off!
Lip stains: Sacheu Beauty Lip Liner Stay-N, Fenty Beauty Poutsicle Hydrating Lip Stain
Use waterproof mascara and eyeliner
When you’ve finally perfected the sharpest wing, the last thing you want is smudged racoon eyes by the end of the day. Opt for waterproof eyeliner and mascara – crucial for budge-proof eye makeup look to last through all your summer activities!
Sweaty & oily eyelids can also play a factor, so apply some eyeshadow primer on your lids before eye makeup, and stamp on some loose powder near the corner edges of the eye where eyeliner can run for extra precaution.
Waterproof Eyeliner: Kat Von D Tattoo Pencil Liner Waterproof Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, YSL Beauty Crushliner Waterproof Eyeliner, Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Waterproof Mascara: Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Mascara, MAC Mac Stack Waterproof Mascara, Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara
Touch up throughout the day with blotting papers
In my experience, my makeup always ends up getting oily throughout the hot summer days, so packing tools for on-the-go makeup maintenance is key. Instead of always adding powder on oily areas which can end up looking cakey, I love to use and carry around blotting paper! It absorbs excess oils especially on my nose area without ruining and smudging my makeup.
Blotting Paper: Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers, Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets
Photo: @Lamma
Makeup Assistant: @Mii_Bellemariee
