We are currently experiencing a bit of a heatwave here in Toronto. I’m enjoying it because it makes me feel like I’m faking a tropical vacation while stuck in the country as I visit a few beaches in my bathing suit. Although I love heat, I have to admit that most make up does not. In fact, a good way to remove make up is by using a steamer to blast it away. And some warm water is tough even on waterproof mascara, so why wouldn’t we look at lipstick and consider what is best for our pouts at this time of year?
Before we move on, I’d like to thank my dear friend Emily for the idea of fleshing this idea out. Her struggle this past week has made for an excellent idea. So read on! Thanks, Em! 😘
I usually do a few maintenance hacks in the summer, like braided hair, because it’s too humid for my processed hair to handle actual styles; I get eyelash extensions because my eye makeup will crease in my oily lids and look like a science project by the end of the day, 🙄but eyelashes are enough glam to forgo that step. I also try to get a lighter matte finish foundation or tinted moisturizer that will get the job done without the weight of the regular stuff I use the rest of the year. When it comes to lipsticks, I haven’t figured all of it out, but I do know of a few colours that not only look great in the Summer or Warmer months, but also have SPF in them so your lippies not only stay beautifully moisturized, they stay protected all day. (or until you eat that hotdog at the beach and have to reapply, lol).
The first colour is Diva by PabaCosmetics, a local, Black owned company with four locations in Toronto, Montreal, and Ghana. PabaCosmetics makes makeup for all skin tones and climates. They’ve considered the harsh Canadian winters and the heat of Ghana and Toronto Summers and added SPF to their lipsticks. Diva is a plum satin finish lipstick that I’ve gushed about in a few posts before, but perhaps you should check out other lipsticks from this company. They ship worldwide. See their link here. https://pabacosmetics.com/collections/lips/products/lipsticks
I also have Sika from PabaCosmetics, a gold lipstick in a metallic finish that reads as a light nude on me.
A new found favourite of mine comes from the brand LipCandy called PartyGirl. It is a deep pink with a mauve-red undertone and it goes on so smoothly. The creator of this brand worked really hard to make sure that all of the products are filled with good things just in case you ingest your lipstick at anytime. And let’s face it, a few too many licks, too many bites off of a fork, one kiss too many and that lippie may have entered your system somehow, so why not use natural ingredients that I can eat if I so choose?! That’s exactly what LipCandy does and then they pack their lipsticks with SPF so you can look hot without the burn. (Did you know that we ingest 30% of the lip wear on our lips? 😳)
I do want to point out as a cautionary side note that when you are travelling in extreme heat with a small representation of your vast and growing lipstick collection that you should perhaps consider walking with a small cooler or lunch bag to keep your lippies from melting, especially the ones with more natural ingredients. 😩
To avoid lipsticks melting in the sun and to have your pout looking amazing all day, I recommend something with a long-lasting matte finish, the kind you might find in a liquid lipstick. Although a lot of them do not say whether they have any SPF in them, they do provide great coverage and if you’ve applied a balm to your lips before wearing your lipstick, you’re doubly covered.
Any bright colour from the Superstay Matte Ink collection by Maybelline will do. As we know by now, I love this line. As a drug store brand, this company is killing it with their range of shades and the formula that allows this lipstick to stay on throughout your meal but more importantly, your hot date on a hot day. Come On, Somebody!
ColouredRaine is another beautiful brand that doesn’t disappoint when it comes to long-lasting liquid lipsticks. Their provision of bold colours is always a great way to celebrate newly tanned skin and their finish makes them pop. I still don’t know how they got a liquid lipstick to be both matte and metallic. That’s crazy good!
If you’re going for more of a natural look, gloss is always a good idea in the summer months. Gloss has come a long way and isn’t just that clear transparent stuff we wore in 8th grade. It’s pigmented and sometimes rich with texture or it’s light and moisturizing. Whichever kind of gloss you use, know that it will move and may provide “moisture” to other areas of the face especially if you’re eating 😂, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying the whole look or applying it over a rich pigmented lipstick for a little more depth and shine. My favourite lipglosses right now are the FentyBeauty Cream Glosses. Cookie Jar, Mauve Wive$, and FU$$Y are some of my grab-and-go colours.
As mentioned previously, I always like to prepare my lips with lip care before lip-wear. It’s important to treat the skin of your lips well so that they are still happy and moisturized under your choice of lip wear. My go-to lipbalm is Blistex with SPF 15 or SPF 20. Its usually available at your local drugstore, doesn’t cost too much and is medicated enough to tingle while it works. Right after I brush my teeth in the morning I apply this. I may apply a few other balms like the E.L.F. lipbalm in Ride or Die or any of my Pat McGrath sparkly gems. But I also give the lip balm time to work and seep into my lips. By the time I go to apply lip wear, there is little to no oil residue and my lips welcome the colour gladly. Find whatever works for you, but please do apply lip care before lip wear.
Well, I hope this post has been insightful to you and Emily and you and that you choose cool colour choices and #Wearitlikeyoumeanit in the sun or rain, summer or winter. Enjoy you!
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