These Pro Makeup Tips Will Save You When It’s Hot AF Outside
This summer did not come to play in the heat department
Photo: Instagram/udstevek
This summer did not come to play in the heat department. The scorching temperatures definitely made me reevaluate my makeup and summer beauty routine. I met with Steve Kassajikian, Urban Decay’s Lead Global Makeup Artist, before he headed to Miami Swim Week for the Mikoh swimwear show to break down his version of a weatherproof glam worthy of the runway.
I arrived with skin baked to perfection with powder foundation.
Photo: Courtesy of Cindy Diaz
However, baking isn’t Kassajikian’s preferred way to set makeup. It is easy to go overboard with that technique. “I don’t like the skin to look too thick or caked up,” he said. “Especially if you’re doing photography or editorial. Then that just causes so much work for editing. The less makeup I can get on the face, the better. I’m more about targeting the skin so I will only apply makeup in areas that need it.”
Kassajikian had a summer routine he was using at Miami Swim Week that would keep me looking flawless with a lot less makeup.wp_*posts
Hot and humid weather doesn’t mean you should skip hydrating your skin.
Photo: Courtesy of Cindy Diaz
Priming the skin well will help your makeup last longer. Kassajikian started with a face mist and gel moisturizer—the Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydra-Charged Complexion Prep Priming Spray ($32, Urban Decay) and Hot Springs Hydrating Gel ($28, Urban Decay)—which gave my skin the perfect dose of moisture that wouldn’t mess with my foundation.
The steps to getting my skin to reach its full glow potential didn’t stop there. Kassajikian applied the Drop Shot Mix-In Facial Oil ($34, Urban Decay) directly to my skin. “This is going to make everything glide on super smooth and make your foundation look glowy,” he said. Next, he mixed the Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup mixed with a few drops of their Liquid Aura Illuminating Mix-In Medium ($32, Urban Decay). I loved the radiant, natural-looking result. He set the foundation with their All Nighter Waterproof Setting Powder ($34, Urban Decay) so that it wouldn’t go anywhere, no baking required. The result was no-makeup, makeup that got my skin looking even and healthy.
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Luckily, this makeup didn’t skip the two most important parts of my routine—bronzer and highlighter.
Photo: Courtesy of Cindy Diaz
Kassajikian warmed up my complexion with the Beached Bronzer ($30, Urban Decay) and used a touch of the Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter in Sin ($26, Urban Decay) for extra luminosity.wp_*posts
The eyes were the most surprising part of the look.
Photo: Courtesy of Cindy Diaz
Kassajikian only used shimmery primer to achieve the ethereal eye he had planned for the runway. He applied the Eye Shadow Primer Potion in Sin ($24, Urban Decay) to get a no-fuss eye that captured the light. He gave me his favorite fluffy, feathery brows by brushing them up with brow gel.
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It’s a long-wearing alternative to the glossy lid he did for Mikoh.
Lip gloss and lip balm are go-tos for makeup artists to get this look, but it is not as comfortable as an eye shadow primer that sets and stays in place.wp_*posts
The final piece of the puzzle was a lip stain that was unlike anything I’ve ever tried before.
Photo: Courtesy of Cindy Diaz
He used the new LO-FI Lip Mousse in Fade ($22, Urban Decay). It is a totally weightless lip product that gives the effect of a lip stain. I felt like I wasn’t wearing anything on my lips.
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The shade also worked brilliantly on darker skin tones.
It is a classic for your lips but with better color.
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The last step is essential for keeping your makeup flawless.
Photo: Courtesy of Cindy Diaz
“You have to have, hands down, All Nighter Setting Spray,” Kassajikian said. “It holds your makeup for 16 hours and locks it down.” It is a must-have in his kit and best-seller for a reason ($32, Urban Decay).
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I left with a new casual summer makeup routine.
Photo: Courtesy of Cindy Diaz
Looking polished without heavy layers of product is just what the doctored ordered.
