The best beauty products to cope with summer shine
Summer in Beijing throws up more than enough challenges – mosquito bites, thunderstorms, excess humidity, the unavailability of sandals in a UK size 7 – without having to deal with a mirrorball face as well. The combination of sweat, pollutants and sebaceous glands kicking into seasonal overdrive can be somewhat of a challenge.
But fear not! Follow these easy(ish) tips, using products that are available in shops all across the city so that you can look radiant, not radioactive.
Step One: Moisturiser
It might seem counterintuitive, but adding moisture to skin means that it won’t go into panic mode, secreting excess oil to try and balance things out on its own. Give your face a helping hand with a light, matte-finish moisturiser; water-based or gel formulas, ideally with hyaluronic acid, are ideal. We like Innisfree Jeju sparkling oil-free gel cream, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel and Neutrogena Hydro-boost Water Gel, which can be easily found at your nearest Watsons or Mannings. For adult-acne sufferers, Vichy Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care (available at Watsons) zaps blemishes whilst keeping the rest of skin plump and bouncy.
Step Two: Sunscreen
It’s better to have a bit more shine than the complexion of a sexy lobster, so if you’re going to be outside, a sunscreen designed for facial use is a must. For oily gals, we recommend Clinique Super City Block SPF 40, as it's oil free and reliable. Unless you’re applying foundation an inch thick (and you really shouldn’t be because it looks dreadful, dahling) any SPF in your base makeup probably isn’t concentrated enough to offer enough protection. Layer up!
Step Three: Primer
A matte-finish primer will not only give your foundation more staying power, but will help to keep oil levels low. Benefit The POREfessional Matte Rescue is great value for money – you get a 50ml tube for the same price as a 30ml from many other mid-level brands. Make Up For Ever has a high-performance luxe option in its Step 1 Skin Equalizer Mattifying Primer. For hiding pores or a slick T-zone, Tonymoly Egg Pore Silky Smooth Balm (despite its silly name) is a godsend when applied on top of your regular primer in problem areas – it's available at Watsons or standalone Tony Moly shops.
Step Four: Setting Powder
Insider tip: it might seem bizarre to powder before foundation, but this is a makeup artist trick that really works. Whack a loose, translucent powder all over after concealer, to lock it in place, but before foundation: you can’t go wrong with Sephora Beauty Amplifier, mainly because it works to gobble up oil and the pots are huge and last forever.
Step Five: Foundation
Basically, you want something matte and long-lasting, AKA Clinique Even Better or MAC Pro Longwear SPF 20 Compact (although those sensitive to silicones should be wary) for moderate coverage during the day and Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + or Clinique Beyond Perfecting for full coverage at night. Unfortunately, most of the wide range of shades offered by these brands are not available in the land of skin whiteners, so those with darker skin will have to source foundation elsewhere. Get it together China!
Step Six: Setting Spray
The most loved at Time Out Towers is easily Urban Decay De-slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray, so bribe a willing accomplice to smuggle you some the next time they visit Hong Kong. Basically, it’s hairspray for yo’ face, so just spritz it over your foundation as evenly as possible.
Step Seven: Finishing Powder
Hang on in there – we’ve nearly done! Just swirl another layer of matte powder over your finished face, concentrating on the T-zone and blending well to avoid the dreaded cocaine-face flashback in photos. You can either whip out the powder used in step five (shout out to Sephora Beauty Amplifier!) or use a blurring finishing powder, like the pricey but unbeatable Make Up For Ever HD Pressed Powder.
Step Eight: Maintenance and finishing touches
Blotting papers are cheapo at Watsons or Mannings, or even 7/11 at a push, and do the job without adding more powder and risking cakeface, which sounds tastier than it is. If you’re really in need and don’t have a spare 20RMB, Starbucks napkins and toilet seat covers also work, but you didn’t get this information from us because it’s kind of nasty. You might also want to use a dab of highlighter on bits of your face that don't get oily to whack back in the dimension lost from all your mattification. To compliment a tan or darker skin tones, Benefit Sun Beam is a plush bronze sheen with no naff glitter that is basically foolproof. For pasty-is-tasty advocates, Benefit High Beam is a paler rosy-white version with equally dazzling results.
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