Meltproof Your Makeup

It's a cooker out there babies, and it's not breaking anytime soon. With tomorrow's high reaching 100, if you plan on spending anymore than 30 seconds outdoors, you're susceptible to the dreaded makeup meltdown. You know you've been there: mascara that ends up on your cheek, eyelids creased to the heavens and streaky foundation and blush. Luckily a few tips and strategic products can keep makeup meltdown to a minimum, and you can actually stay outside for longer than five minutes - not that you want to.

Face:

Primer is your best friend here, preferably an oil-free, oil-controlling version, such as Smashbox PhotoFinish Light, which is my personal favorite when I need a matte finish. Unless you desperately need it, skip foundation and just use concealer under eyes and on any discoloration. My pick for amazing all day coverage: Laura Mercier Secret Camoflauge covers flawlessly and won't cake up. Set with loose powder (Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil is my all time favorite) and dust on matte bronzer like tarte's new matte and waterproof version of Park Avenue Princess.

Eyes:

Nothing compares to tarte's Lock & Roll 12-hour eyeshadow when you need crease and waterproof shadow that really holds up to the elements. This stuff stays on so well you can skip the eye primer altogether. Finish with a few coats of waterproof mascara. My fave is Revlon 3-D Extreme.

Cheeks:

Powder is really the way you want to go here since creams and gels can add to the sticky factor. Try Benefit CORALista for a natural summer flush without any shimmer, which is the last thing that should be in your products in this kind of heat. 

Lips:

Stains are perfect for an all-day juicy tint that stands up to heat and humidity, won't feather, and won't goop up like gloss or lipstick. Cover Girl Outlast Lip Stain comes in an easy-to-use marker application and won't rub or smear.

Hope everyone had a fabulous 4th. I adore fireworks, and even wanted them to go off as my now-husband and I were walking out of our reception venue at our wedding, but thought it was a little over the top, even for moi.

Test Drive: L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base

With a name like Magic Perfecting Base, I had high hopes when I first tried this product. Most people don't know this, but L'Oreal has a professional hair care division used exclusively in salons. I guess they're taking that approach with makeup and bringing a professional division to the masses a la Studio Secrets, a line of professional makeup available in drugstores that is very reminiscent of Makeup Forever. Even the packaging looks the same to me. 

I had been dying to try Magic Perfecting Base for some time, since I absolutely love primers. A primer is a completely non-sexy makeup product, but I can't get enough of them.

The Experience:

Magic Perfecting Base is definitely not your typical primer, and you'll realize that as soon as you dip your hand into the tub. Now, I have no clue why they opted for a tub instead of an airless pump, because the thought of repeatedly sticking my fingers into something sort of grosses me out, not to mention it's really not the most convenient form of delivery, but all that aside, when you first feel Magic Perfecting Base it's very thick, almost gummy/pasty as opposed to the lotion/serum texture most primers have. Because of the consistency you really have to spread this out, but immediately on contact it feels silky and pores and uneven texture disappear. Skin is left with a natural matte finish. Blotchy areas are even toned down. It's also oil free and non comedogenic. 

The Verdict:

Definitely a go I say. As far as primers go, it's a good one that fills in pores, lines, uneven texture and just generally makes skin look better before you even have foundation on. Also, I have yet to see a decent primer at mass, and at $13, you can't beat the price.