Halloween weekend promises to be full of pageantry, candy and of course, dances! The trickiest part of the night may not be deciding what to be but keeping your hair and make-up in place the entire night. Spending plenty of time on stage growing up, I have acquired many tricks and tips for keeping make-up in its place, because as cool as it is when the wicked witch of the west melts, it is better that we don’t.
Let’s start with the secret to a solid make-up look: primer.
Eyeshadow Primer Potion– This eye primer by Urban Decay is the best I have found thus far. A dollop on each eye prevents creases in your eye shadow color and keeps your eye make-up in place through the worst moments (I used to wear this when I had to be in the rain for cheerleading)! It is a little more on the expensive end, but it is definitely worth it.
Photo Finish Face Primer – This face primer by SmashBox cosmetics will set your make-up and give you a fresh, matte finish without the cake-y feel. Because it keeps the make-up in its place, you don’t need to reapply, keeping you from looking like your powder attacked you.
Here are two of my favorite sweat-proof products:
Long Wear Gel Eyeliner – This eyeliner by Bobbi Brown (don’t worry there are cheap alternatives at Target) does not budge. The make-up comes in a small pot, and you apply it with a brush. This formula gives you the look of a kohl pencil with the longevity of liquid eyeliner.
Benetint and Posietint – These two lip and cheek stains from Benefit were designed for dancers who strove for a flushed look that would not bleed. Benetint is rose colored and posietint is, well, the color of posies. It is absorbed into your skin, instead of sitting on it, resulting a vibrant color that won’t budge.
High Beam – Also by Benefit, high beam is a highlighter with definite wattage. Unlike the usual powder highlighter, this is a light cream that not only looks more natural, but it also is sweat resistant!
Now, here are some creative tricks…
Instead of splurging on fancy setting sprays, use a can of aerosol hair spray. This seriously works. Just hold it about a foot away from your face, spray (Don’t forget to close your eyes!!) and your make-up is set in place.
Another trick to making lip color last is using lip liner over your entire lip. For some reason or another, it seems to set like a lip stain and will last for a long time.
Also on lips, don’t forget to set your lipstick with a puff of translucent powder!
Always, always utilize waterproof mascara. Even though it may be a bit more tough to get off at the end of the night, it looks better than having it run down under your eyes.
Of course blotting paper is always nice to have around to soak up any extra oil on your face, but why carry it around if there is an option waiting for you in the ladies room? Those thin tissue toilet paper covers that sit behind the toilet do the job phenomenally!
Photocredit: http://thehippinista.blogspot.com/2012/06/do-or-dont-cat-ear-headband.html