10 SOS Summer Beauty Questions, Answered By The Experts
All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.
How do you stop your spray tan melting off in the heat?
“First of all, your spray tan should never ‘drip’ off your skin. If this is happening, then the tan artist has likely applied too much of it. To remedy the situation, sweep an applicator mitt all over your body to buff, blend and speed up absorption. I also recommend asking your tan artist to dry the tan after you’ve been sprayed. They’ll do this with warm air from the tan gun and it will help the colour settle and prevent any movement in the heat. Finally, ensure you wear loose clothes for your spray tan. This minimises the chance of any transfer and smudging of colour.” – Jules Von Hep, creator of Isle of Paradise Tan
How do you stop your make-up sliding around in warm weather?
“Make sure you apply your make-up in light layers to stop the product from turning oily. If you apply one full layer of coverage with a blender or brush, try using a sheer foundation over a mattifying primer instead, adding just a tiny amount of concealer. If this doesn’t work and the product is still moving around, try pressing a loose powder onto the area you want to mattify. Use a powder puff to really sandwich everything together. Products I recommend for this are Westman Atelier’s Vital Skin Foundation, Fenty’s Pro Mattifying Primer and Laura Mercier’s Loose Setting Powder. I love Bobbi Brown’s Sheer Finish Powder, too.” – Jessica Kell, make-up artist
Speaking of sweat, how do you stop it showing through your clothes?
“Choose clothing made from breathable fabrics – like cotton or moisture-wicking materials. These fabrics help absorb sweat and promote better airflow, reducing the build-up of moisture on your skin – particularly in areas that fold, for instance, around your knees and under your breasts. If you’re prone to sweat around your breasts, I recommend you avoid underwire bras – these trap moisture and contribute to visible sweat. Opt for looser-fitting bras to enhance airflow. Using talcum or baby powder can also be an effective way to manage excessive sweat and prevent it showing through your clothes. Apply a small amount to the areas that need it – trust me, it’ll reduce the uncomfortable feeling. Take cool showers too – this helps regulate your body temperature and minimise sweating.” – Lucy Xu, skin specialist & founder of Premier Laser
How can you let your skin breathe on holiday, while simultaneously hiding blemishes?
“I am asked this question all the time. After a long day in the sun, the last thing you want to do is apply a heavy foundation – or any sort of coverage for that matter. The trick is to bring a few shades of liquid concealer with you that you can adjust to match your skin tone – depending on how much sun your skin gets. During the day, apply a tint that contains an SPF – the Trinny BFF Cream is the best – and then just a small amount of concealer if needed. That way, you get light coverage but still let your skin breathe. If you want even less than this, apply only concealer with a pinpoint brush, applying it to areas you want to even out. Tap the coverage into place with your fingers for a more flawless finish. Then, a touch of weightless powder will help keep everything in place and prevent your coverage from standing out. For liquid concealers, I recommend M·A·C’s Pro Longwear formula and Clinique’s Airbrush Concealer. Both come in an amazing range of shades. If you want a lightweight skin tint with smooth coverage, I love Rare Beauty’s Positive Light Tinted Moisturiser.” – Jessica
Is there a way to stop a spray tan settling into pores?
“This is a common bugbear, especially if you’re going away. When a spray tan settles into pores, it’s usually because the tan has a guide colour. The guide colour is the cosmetic finish and dye that some self-tanners have. If the dye is of concern – particularly if you have a spray tan done at home – try using a clear, water-based tan instead. Our Isle of Paradise Self-Tan Water is transparent, fast drying and won’t settle into pores. I recommend blending and buffing the formula once you’ve applied it using both a brush and a mitt for a seamless finish. Another golden rule for preventing tan from settling into pores is to remove hair and exfoliate at least 12 hours before application. If you do either too close to your appointment, your pores won’t calm or close, so they remain open for the tan to gather around.” – Jules
How can you hide ingrown hairs while still bearing some skin in summer?
“If you’re prone to ingrown hairs and they make you self-conscious, there are several steps you can take to address the issue. First, regular exfoliation is essential. Gently exfoliate the affected areas to remove dead skin cells and unclog your hair follicles. Doing this stops hairs from getting trapped beneath the skin, reducing the number of ingrown hairs overall. Another factor is the clothes you wear. Tight-fitting clothes increase friction and irritation on the skin, leading to more ingrown hairs. Opt for loose and breathable fabrics during hot weather. If shaving is causing the issue, make sure you’re using a sharp razor and always work in the direction of your hair growth – going against this will cause ingrown hairs. If this still isn’t yielding results, consider exploring alternative hair removal methods – from laser to waxing, sugaring and depilatory creams, there are many options out there less likely to cause an issue. Finally, avoid picking or squeezing ingrown hairs. This will only lead to further irritation and redness.” – Lucy
Any tips for treating sunburnt skin fast?
“To soothe a skin burn and prevent peeling, you need to act fast. Cool the skin with water for 10-20 minutes and always avoid any heavy oils or butters – this can suffocate your skin and delay the healing process. Instead, apply creams and gels that are dedicated to sunburn. Aloe vera and petroleum jelly are both great remedies. Stay hydrated – and I don’t mean just a little, keep the water flowing to encourage better hydration throughout your body. This will speed up the healing process.” – Lucy
Do you have any non-greasy skin primer recommendations?
“A water-based primer is what you need if you’re prone to shine in the summer. Always pair one with a light or medium-weight foundation, so you don’t have too much product sat on the surface of your skin. If you still want a summer glow, but without feeling or looking greasy, use a light lotion, followed by a water-based primer and a water-based foundation – this way everything has synergy and won’t add to the issue of oiliness or excess shine. A few products I love for this include Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer Water, MILK’s Hydro Grip Primer, the NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation and Neutrogena’s Water Boost Gel Moisturiser. The Kiehl’s Serum Infused Water Cream is a great hybrid product, too.” – Jessica
Are there ways to prevent heat rash or at least stop it getting worse?
“To quell heat rash or prevent it altogether, you need to keep your skin cool and dry. Avoid hot and humid environments, and look for air-conditioned spaces or use a fan to improve air circulation. Again, lightweight, loose clothing is your best friend. It will help prevent friction and allow for sweat to evaporate. On the topic of sweat, it’s key you gently pat it away with a clean towel and apply talcum powder or corn starch in and around skin folds so that excessive moisture is absorbed. Heat rash loves humid, damp areas, so it’s essential to dry things out. Finally, choose water-based moisturisers over heavy creams or ointments to avoid clogging up your pores – this will only aggravate heat rash.” – Lucy
Finally, how do you advise protecting hair from chlorine?
“To protect your skin and hair from chlorine – without the use of a dreaded swim cap – I recommend wetting your hair with fresh water first. This will minimise chlorine absorption. Then, apply a leave-in conditioner or oil to create a barrier against chlorine for your hair. After swimming, rinse your hair with a clarifying shampoo. These are the best for removing any chlorine build-up. You could add a deep conditioning hair mask to your routine too while swimming – this will repair any damage and dryness caused by harsher water.” – Anabel Kingsley, trichologist & hair expert
SHOP THE PRODUCT EDIT
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com.