There are many things in life that are absolutely better moist. Cake – for example. Also, a juicy hamburger. Your face, after you’ve carefully applied your morning shellac then stepped outside into summer’s sweat-breaking sauna is not one of those things.

Now that the weather is slowly inching its way up the thermometer, those pesky beauty issues that we thought we had laid to rest last fall have reared their ugly, oily, smeary heads. Fortunately the latest and greatest in long-wearing make-up isn’t just for you water babies anymore. Yes, it’s still waterproof, but it’s also life-proof. This according to a recent article in Elle magazine entitled “Faux Naturel,” where the co-founder and creative director of Urban Decay Wende Zomnir somehow convinced Manhattan beauty editor April Long to undertake a perilous sporting adventure into the wilds of Kauai to test the life-proof powers of said brands products. She scaled rocks and forged streams and mud, she kayaked up a river jungle and got pummeled by surf and sand – she even dove under a waterfall (I totally wanna hang with this lady. She sounds awesome.) Through her own admission she was bleeding, covered in muck, sweating like a crazed lunatic – but her make-up? Immaculate. Not a single smudge or smear. Honestly, it read like a adventure film miracle.



Okay… so most of us can put a certain amount of vanity aside when we venture into the wild for a camping trip or a hike or a day at the beach. But there are some ladies out there (and I’m not judging) who consider their daily shellac a courtesy to the safety of other people’s eyeballs – even in the great outdoors. And in the spirit of these considerate cosmetics warriors let’s take a look at some of the ways to avoid the dreaded face-melt during an ocean dip or simply a humidity heavy sweltering trip around the block.

Tears. Not the only kryptonite of mascara, but certainly a big one. ‘Cause nothing says ‘craaazzzaaay’ quite like a face run-through with rivulets of black, streaky eye goo. And if you’re anything like me (I will cry at a Hallmark commercial. It’s genetic. Again… thanks.) waterproof mascara is a must-have. And since I never really know what the day might bring, could be the tear-inducing deliciousness of a sauerkraut hotdog or the cuteness of the cross-eyed look of the neighbor’s Siamese, it’s best to play it safe in the eye-fringe decorating department. Fortunately, today’s waterproof mascara’s are a far cry from the days of Tammy Faye spider lashes. Nope today’s souped-up waterproof mascaras separate, lengthen and thicken through pretty much any “crazy activity.” (*sounds of weeping with joy.)

But what of foundation – I mean, it’s a little less obvious when that starts sliding down your face – but a little close-up action can be a little alarming. Put your moisturizing summer foundation in the trash (don’t forget that these things expire folks) and opt for one of the newer waterproof foundations on the market now (nearly every brand has one). These film-forming, moisture deflecting wonders range from silicone-based to long-wearing stains and will see you through any number of sweltering summer days looking as fresh as when you left the house – all while not looking like a made-up clown.

Revlon’s global artistic director Gucci (yep… that’s her name) Westman chimes in on the anti-clown movement, “while it’s possible to look both natural and glamorous, it’s a lot of hard work.” (*sigh) “I think it’s a lot harder to do really good natural makeup than to do bold makeup. It’s challenging to subtly bring out the features without the face looking done.” (Yep. Fo’ sho’.) Gucci recommends a few waterproof make-up products to assist in this “natural” look, like a pore minimizer and concealer combo to even out the skin and a dusting of water-resistant, non-shimmering bronzer. (Since we know that after all my harping on UVAs and UVBs that you won’t be rocking a tan this year. Will you? No. I didn’t think so.) Makeup artist Terri Apanasewicz also suggests using blotting paper’s to soak up oil or perspiration before you brush on some more powder. Cake-yness should only refer to cake.



Let’s delve even further south on your facial zone. Exactly how does one get that ultra-sexy pink summer pout with enough stay-put power to last through the aforementioned sauerkraut hotdog and accompanying sparkly beverage? Lip stains. Through rain, sleet, summer surf or Bikram, today’s lip-stains are designed to stay-put without the drying cakey-ness of its stay-put ancestors.

Waterproof products should see you through this summer’s sweaty season in all your “natural” glory – you know big, fluffy black lashes, a perfectly pink pout and flawless skin. Just as fresh as the morning dew – without the moisture mess.