Summer starts now
Since the onset of this insane heat, I've received a few questions about the kind of beauty products one should take to a beach vacation. Sunscreen is, of course, SOP, but you have a little more freedom when it comes to makeup. There are only two things to keep in mind: don't wear a lot, and make sure it will melt beautifully or not at all!
I followed these two rules while I was packing for El Nido a couple of weeks back (was it only two weeks?). Anyway, here's what I brought with me to the beach. You'll notice that I didn't bother with powder, instead going for cream or liquid colors. Why? Because cream/liquid makeup looks more natural, more "one" with your skin. Powder makeup looks off in the beach, since it can look thick, cakey, and overdone in such a casual setting. It's best to go with wet formulas to achieve a chic summer-at-the-beach look!
I packed everything in my Happy Skin brush bag. It's so cool no? I get to take these neatly-packed, travel-sized brushes and fit a whole face of makeup in too. The brushes are handy (my favorite is the flat top, sold separately as it happens), but the bag is really something else. It's compact but roomy, and I love the two-level arrangement for the brushes.
I brought my favorite bases from Shiseido: the Sun Protection Liquid Foundation SPF43, White Lucent Brightening Spot-Control Foundation, and Natural Finish Cream Concealer. Together, they're long-wearing and provide a good amount of coverage + sun protection. I used the Sun Protection foundation while swimming and it stayed on fairly well. I mean, it faded of course, but there were still some left over when I washed my face. It's very water-resistant!
The Fairydrops Platinum Mascara is still the best for extreme humidity, I think. It won't stay on after swimming but it will not fail you under the heat. For my lips I brought the Etude House Don't Worry, I'm On Your Side lip balm and the Clinique Long Last Lipstick in Runway Coral. Coral, orange, and bronze are the colors to wear to the beach, since they enhance whatever level of tanning you'll get from the sun.
I brought the Shu Uemura Hard Formula Pencil for my eyebrows and Stila colored eyeliners for the funsies. Haha. I love colored eyeliner as you know! These Stila ones are super pigmented and long-wearing. That emerald and blue one is just shouting "beach yeaaah".
Eyeshadows are more relaxed. Once again, cream is your friend here. Try the Laura Mercier Metallic Creme Eye Color in Copper Sunrise and the Estee Lauder Pure Color Stay-On-Shadow Paint in Halo (a dainty shimmery beige).
I brought the Ellana Eye & Cheek Cream Color in Diva to contour - it's my favorite cream tint from the brand since it's a gorgeous mid-bronze with a rosy undertone. I even sometimes blush with it. ^_^ For my cheeks I grabbed the Benefit Cha Cha Tint, a tropical mango hue that flatters my skintone (and the slight tan that follows it).
Ellana Diva, Benefit Cha Cha Tint, Laura Mercier Copper Sunrise, Clinique Runway Coral, Etude House lip balm
I still look pale here! It's the first look I wore at the resort. Used the Laura Mercier Copper Sunrise as eyeshadow, Stila eyeliner in Black Amethyst, Ellana cream color in Diva, and a MAC tinted lip balm which I forgot to include in the photos. I eventually wore the Clinique Runway Coral lipstick later on that afternoon.
Another one! Used the Stila Emerald eyeliner, Cha Cha tint, and Etude House lip balm here.
And that is the perfect summer palette of colors, if you don't mind me declaring. ^_^ Hope you found my suggestions useful!
