We asked, and you shared: According to YouBeauty research, a whopping 87 percent of you say that you have shiny t-zones in your pictures. And between weddings, vacations and beach time, you’re likely only an Instagram away from starring in a smart phone photo at any given moment.
So how do you make the joy of the moment—and not your greasy forehead—the focus of the shot? We asked famous faces whose job it is to look flawless in front of the camera, no matter the humidity index, for tips to looking cool and calm when the heat is on. Here’s what they told us.
Photo: Grace Gold
Actress Vanessa Williams: Stick to Matte Color
When it comes to the camera, the Hollywood starlets of yesteryear (think Ava Gardner and Greta Garbo) knew best. “Don’t start with shimmery color—those types of products can look tempting and pretty in the pan or tube, but your face will only turn shinier as the day goes on,” says actress Vanessa Williams, who is currently starring in “The Trip To Bountiful” on Broadway, where she does her own face every day. “And once you reach a certain age, shimmer that settles into skin texture will make you look older in photos, too,” the 50-year-old mom of four tells YouBeauty.
Photo courtesy of Mallory Hagan
Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan: Set With Loose Powder
While Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan prefers to switch out foundation for lighter tinted moisturizer that won’t glob up on super hot days, she advises setting makeup with loose powder if you do choose a higher coverage product. “It helps reduce that ‘cake’ look and feeling,” she says. Hagan’s favorite is Artistry Loose Powder, which uses fragrance-free microparticles for a light, flawless finish.
Photo courtesy of Miss Universe Organization
Miss USA 2012 Nana Meriwether: Prep With Primer
Celebrity makeup artists often recommend primer as a first step before applying face and eye makeup, and Miss USA 2012 Nana Meriwether says she swears by it. “It really does help prevent your skin from turning oily, and it holds your makeup in place,” she explains, adding that M.A.C. Prep + Prime Skin is her personal favorite when taking photos. For targeted control of super oily skin types, Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector blots skin and minimizes the look of large pores for hours without the use of silicone, oil or alcohol.
Photo: Paige Craig
Model Shelley GoodStein: Skip the Smoke
Warning: Dark eye makeup and high temperatures don’t mix. “Save the smoke for summer campfires, or it can melt into one big raccoon-style mess,” advises model Shelley GoodStein. Instead, simply brighten with a shadow shade that matches your skintone and save definition for water-resistant mascara or eyeliner, or sweep a single sheer shade of color from lashline to crease for more fun without the smudge.
Try a Finishing Spray
An ingenious product known as setting spray was a repeat suggestion among our glamorous experts. Urban Decay’s All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray works to lower the temperature of your makeup to keep foundation and color in place without melting, cracking or fading. Once you’ve finished your makeup, simply spritz all over to set in place for up to a purported 16 hours.
