Before you know it, Songkran has arrived once again, bringing (sometimes unwelcome) splashes of water to cool down the scorching April heat.
A lot of women have grown so accustomed to putting on make-up that they don't want to be seen sans, but given the risk of getting soaked, will your look remain intact? Or will it melt and smudge, leaving your face looking like an abstract painting?
Thankfully, make-up products today are made to last better than before. Women nowadays can wear make-up and swim, do hot yoga and even brave the rain without compromising their immaculate faces.
There are two things to consider for Songkran make-up: to protect your face from the sun when you are outside getting soaked with water, and to look good while engaging in water fights. The first is quite simple - wear sunscreen correctly. It is pointless to use sunscreen if you are going to be economical and apply just a drop. For your face, the amount has to be at least as big as a 10-baht coin. Reapply every two hours when you are in the sun. Be sure to towel off thoroughly because the sun's rays penetrate wet skin more than dry skin, and because most sunscreens can be diluted when applied to wet skin, go minimal.
You probably don't need full-blown, wedding-day make-up because it is not likely to last. Choose something sheer and translucent, so that when it mixes with water, it doesn't create nasty, greasy smudges. For example, skip liquid foundation and choose powder foundation or tinted moisturiser instead.
The make-up that tends to go wrong most when water is concerned is anything around the eyes. Mascara, false eyelashes, eyeliner and eyeshadow are made for delicate skin so are not that strong. However, cream and gel-based eyeliners and eyeshadows should be long lasting enough to go through an hour or two in the water battle. Using a good primer also helps.
Also important for Songkran is lip colour, because our lips can get pale and chapped when soaked. A natural colour lip-stain is an ideal companion for a water battle because it doesn't come off as quickly as lipstick or lip gloss.
Kanebo Impress Powder Foundation gives a translucent finish and protects the skin from sun damage with SPF20/PA++.
Sunplay Super Block SPF130 PA+++ provides superior photo stability, prolonging the protection and saving you trouble from finding time to reapply your sunscreen while having fun.
Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner by Bobbi Brown is durable enough to withstand moderate water fights.
Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti- Crease Eye Shadow Primer helps eye make-up stay longer.
For instant, effective protection, try Nivea Sun Extra Whitening Immediate & DNA Protect SPF 60. The 100% oil-free formula gives a non-sticky feeling and immediately protects the skin, whereas most other sunscreens require a 20-minute wait.
Jelly kisses
Jelly Lip Pen from Dior's Bird of Paradise Collection is a concentration of pure colour in an intuitive application. The jumbo pencil is made into the fashionable gloss of the summer, with its balm formula that combines skincare, pigments and ultra-shine. The new Jelly Lip Pen withstands long summer days, and provides the sensation of bare lips. Plumped up and tinted as though you have bitten into an exotic fruit, your smile displays a vitamin-packed sensuality.
Cruelty-free to be kind
Spring 2013 sees the launch of The Body Shop's new cruelty-free make-up and fragrance collection created in collaboration with global superstar and activist Leona Lewis. Lewis' collection will include shimmer palettes, White Musk Libertine eau de toilette and eau de parfum, a blusher brush made of synthetic hair, and naturally pigmented lip glosses. Lewis says: "I'm so excited to present my first ever make-up collection, designed to celebrate cruelty-free beauty at The Body Shop. With two on-trend looks to suit every skin tone, high shine lip glosses and a wild, liberating fragrance, you'll go wild."
