Life

Beauty: Made-up to the last

Summer calls for cosmetics that can withstand humid days, sweaty nights and even wedding weeping. Katie Wright rounds up the hard-working products that will go the distance

Getting dolled up for garden parties, weddings and summer soirees is all part of the fun
Getting dolled up for garden parties, weddings and summer soirees is all part of the fun Getting dolled up for garden parties, weddings and summer soirees is all part of the fun

GETTING dolled up for garden parties, weddings and summer soirees is all part of the fun, but no one wants to be touching up their make-up constantly, because their foundation is battling against balmy weather (and losing), or their lipstick has jumped ship onto the rim of a champagne glass.

In the face of such an onslaught, it's time to bring out the big guns - the products that will outlast toasts, tequila shots and even tears (happy ones, hopefully).

These are the cosmetics that are quick to use but slow to fade...

BE PRIMED AND READY

Preparation is everything when it comes to long-lasting make-up. Adding a primer to your prep routine gives your base an extra layer of defence: the silky, almost dry-feeling formula doesn't sink into skin but it sits on the surface, meaning your foundation sits on top of that and won't wear off as easily.

This Works In Transit Camera Close-Up, £33 (LookFantastic.com), is a leave-on mask, moisturiser and primer in one, so it's great if you're travelling and don't want to lug around a heavy cosmetics bag.

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield has been relaunched this year as a larger size Prince's Trust Limited Edition, £69.50 (www.johnlewis.com; £10 from every sale goes to the charity). With SPF30 and blurring properties, this primer boosts your complexion inside and out.

For infallible eye make-up, try a brush-on liquid like Arbonne Prime & Proper Eye Makeup Primer, £21, which leaves an opaque base and makes your eye shadow all the more impactful (www.arbonne.com).

SET THE TONE

Once you've finished the rest of your make-up, a generous spritz of setting spray will create an invisible shield, locking foundation and blusher in place.

Clarins Fix Make-Up, £23, is a cooling mist that contains moisturising aloe vera and anti-pollution actives (www.boots.com).

Avon Magix Prime and Set Spray, £6, is a light and hydrating vitamin-infused formula that can be used as both a primer and finisher (www.avon.uk.com).

LOCK YOUR LIDS

For eye make-up that won't crease or crumble, you need a highly pigmented formula.

Guerlain Ecrin 1 Couleur Long Lasting Eyeshadow in Taupe Secret, £22.05 (Escentual.com), has a powder matte finish but the gel-coated pigments ensure the colour stays put.

MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Colour Stick in Bleached Out Beige, £16, is a twist-up crayon that's chunky enough to sweep on all-over colour, but sharp enough if you want apply a concentrated dash, and it comes in 21 shades (www.maccosmetics.co.uk).

If a smudge of pencil on the lash line is what you're after, Clarins Crayon Khol Long-Lasting Eye Pencil With Brush in Smoky Plum, £15.40 (Escentual.com), is soft enough to blend but won't budge once in place, while No7 Stay Perfect Liquid Eye Liner in Dark Chocolate, £8.50, gives dense, precision liner that dries to fade-proof perfection (www.boots.com).

SEAL YOUR LIPS

Whether you want sheer or full-impact colour, there's a lip product that will linger as long as your need it to.

Smith & Cult The Tainted Lip Stained in Sweet Suite, £20 (Net-a-Porter.com), may look muted on the wand, but it's formulated to react to the pH in lips, bringing out a brighter (but still subtle) shade, that lasts even when the balm has worn off.

For ultimate pout staying power, however, you can't beat a matte lipstick.

Yves Saint Laurent has just extended the Rouge Pur Couture The Mats range, adding warm, summer-ready shades like Wood on Fire, £26, to the line-up (www.debenhams.com).

New to ASOS, Winky Lux Lip Velour, £13, comes in a host of jazzy hues, from bubblegum pink to vivid violet, and even black and blue (www.asos.com).

PERFECT YOUR POLISH

A UV-cured gel manicure is unbeatable for chip-proof nails, but some new beauty counter launches are giving the salon brands a run for their money.

Essie's new Gel Couture collection combines 25 shades with a tough-as-nails topcoat, for at-home colour that lasts up to 12 days. Essie Gel Couture in Spool Me

Over and Topcoat, £9.99 each (www.superdrug.com).

Nailed London has just released its Gel Colour Polish summer colours, meaning the hard-wearing collection now totals 28 shades. Try Coral Chameleon, £5.25 (FeelUnique.com), for a soft peachy hue.