Makeup woes in humid weather

Melting foundation, runny eyeliner and sticky lipstick — some of the painful make-up evils we suffer from in this humid weather. With the monsoons in full swing, we show you how to help your make-up stay where it's meant to! In this hot and humid weather, it's best to let your skin breathe, by going minimal and not subjecting it to layers of make-up. While it's a great idea to go natural and dewy fresh, if you're required to wear make-up at work, or aren't too fond of the 'sans make-up' look, you definitely don't want it melting off your face and ruining your clothes, courtesy the weather Gods! Since you'll constantly be required to touch up your face, why not opt for make-up, especially designed for extreme temperatures and this unrelenting humidity? While you have numerous brands of water-proof make-up available at hand, it's not just selecting the right kind that poses a challenge; it's also important to understand how to apply make-up the right way, so that it lasts longer and doesn't drip, even when you perspire. Applying make-up in humid weather Moumita Das, make-up expert suggests, "If you have patchy skin, only then apply a make-up primer to your face, as it's good for heavy coverage. The primer will flatten out the surface of your skin and help your make-up stay on. But those with clear skin need not apply a primer." Next, apply a light coat of an oil-free tinted moisturiser, instead of a liquid or creamy foundation, as these are prone to melting in humid weather. Says Bianca Hartkopf, beauty expert, "Stay away from heavy foundation. A lightweight finishing powder is ideal for touch-ups." If you have any blemishes or dark circles that you want to cover, use an oil-free concealer, because oil causes the concealer to look greasy in humidity. Always opt for oil-free make-up products. With the help of a large brush, lightly dust your face with pressed or loose powder. This will absorb all the excess oil and moisture and keep your face from shining. Apply a light-coloured powder blush to the apples of your cheeks, using a large make-up brush. If you want to ensure that your eye shadow doesn't crease, you can apply an eyelid primer to your eyelids before you put on eye shadow. Buy powder eye shadows, as they generally last longer than cream eye shadows. The key is to use a light colour and apply it thinly. Make-up artist Jenna Menard, says, "For a simple bold liner look, wear your eye-liner close to the lash line without smudging. To perfect or sharpen the line, you can take the help of a pointed or extra-fine cotton bud tip." Opt for liquid eyeliners, as they are more likely to stay put and resist smearing than wax-based pencil eyeliners. Use water-proof mascara to your eyelashes. Since it is resistant to water, it will stay on longer and not drip. "Since lip gloss tends to fade easily, moisturise you lips with a lip balm and apply lipstick," says Das. Tip: Always carry soft tissues with you, so if your skin starts to look shiny, just dab your face dry. This will soak up all the oil and sweat, without ruining your makeup.