Summer in Washington, D.C. means a sweaty, saunaesque season in which the ability to look one’s best is often compromised by the river of perspiration streaming down your face. It makes arriving for that morning meeting after a drenching walk from the Metro a definite beauty challenge. The blessing of a beachy getaway or the burden of daily swim mom duty pose similar summer makeup conundrums.
Here are the six beauty items to help you survive the summer swampfest and keep you looking hot in the heat.
Powder-Based Makeup
No matter your skin type, female faces look their best in the sweaty DC weather when sporting a powder-based foundation or pressed powder. Those that contain additional SPF help layer the sun protection.
Luxe: Dior Diorskin Forever Compact Flawless Perfection Fusion Wear Makeup SPF 25 $49. This longest-name-in-the-history-of-makeup set is also super long-wearing, thanks to its creamy base and magical finishing powder.
Budget: Maybelline Pure Stay Powder Foundation SPF 15 $9. Blends evenly, reduces shine, and lasts all day.
Lipstick with SPF
The ultimate summer lipstick is a triple threat. It should moisturize dry lips, protect this sensitive area from sun damage or discoloration, and give your lips a colorful hotness boost.
Luxe: Bobbi Brown Treatment Lip Shine SPF 15 $23. Bobbi’s rich, flattering colors are legendary. I swear they make my teeth look whiter and my tummy firmer.
Budget: Wet n Wild Mega Shield Lip Color SPF 15 $3. Wet n Wild has come a loooong way in quality since junior high, I promise.
Blotting Paper
These magical papers absorb summer’s oily shine without disturbing your makeup, and work just as well for you natural gals out there who can leave the house bare faced and beautiful. (Witches.)
Luxe & Budget Best Bet: Sonia Kashuk Matte Blotting Papers $7. This pouch of 100 big blotters – one will easily take care of your whole face — lasts forever.
Waterproof Eyeliner
Even if you do not plan on jumping into the pool, summer demands a smudge-proof eyeliner. The only eye makeup products I have found that truly live up to their smudge-resistant claims are the waterproof varieties.
Luxe: Yves Saint Laurent Dessin Du Regard Waterproof Eye Pencil $28. I swear this stuff looks like a fancy liquid but goes on as easily as a crayon. Even after a contact lens mishap this stuff remains where you drew it.
Budget: Sephora Collection Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner $12. Does not budge from your lids until you hit it with the soap or eye makeup remover.
Waterproof Mascara
When you are a mom suffering from too little sleep and too much work/kids/worries, if there is one beauty product that will give you a visual boost it’s mascara. And though we are tempted to skip it in the summer for fear of smudging, a good quality waterproof version will stay put.
Luxe: Lancome Définicils Waterproof High Definition Mascara $28. The much-loved super lengthening and defining mascara pumps up even the wimpiest lashes and comes in a new waterproof formula.
Budget: CoverGirl Professional All-In-One Waterproof Mascara $5. Magazines and makeup artists always tout Maybelline Great Lash as their budget choice, but the waterproof version is just too dry and clumpy for a summertime natural look, in my opinion. I prefer this CoverGirl variety because it is creamy but still smudgeproof.
Travel Sized Sunscreen
When you hit the road or air for a fun-in-the-sun getaway, a prepackaged set of sunscreen products that does not go over the FAA’s three ounce rule is a must-do. There’s nothing worse than having a surly security guard at the gate toss that new big bottle of Clarins. (That happened to me once and I was so irate that I was almost carried off like a criminal.)
Luxe: Supergoop! City & Sand Sunscreen Travel Tote $35. This set contains high SPF lip balm, face serum, day cream, and body lotion in a cute case
Budget: Coppertone Water Babies Pure and Simple 1 ounce tubes $2 each. Baby-grade sunscreen will not clog your pores, so it easily works for yo’ mama face as well as your kids’ bods.
I hope you enjoy these beauty products this summer as much as I enjoyed curating them for this DC Moms post!
Jessica McFadden writes A Parent in Silver Spring, the go-to website for Washington-area parents looking for fun local activities with their kids. She also launched her mom blog for parents everywhere, A Parent in America, which is filled with humor and giveaways.
