With relative humidity rising as the rainy season approaches and the merciless sun continuing to make us sweat buckets, we need something lightweight and non-sticky to pamper our skin. There can be few things worse than the sensation of melting make-up trickling down your face or the realisation that you've been walking around covered in unsightly smudges because the moisturiser you applied earlier has got all clumped up with face powder.
Never assume that moisture and water are the same thing, though. Just because your skin is bathed in perspiration doesn't necessarily mean that it is not also lacking in moisture. In other words, you may still need the help of a facial moisturiser even in this hot and humid weather. However, heavy creams can cause further problems by clogging your pores or mixing with sweat to create that uncomfortable feeling that few can bear for long. So, when the mercury rises, aim for something lightweight that is quickly absorbed.
In general, a thin lotion won't leave as gummy a residue as a more dense or viscous cream, but that doesn't mean that all runny moisturisers are safe bets for summer. Before you make a purchase, test it on your skin and wait 10 minutes to see how it feels to the touch. A good moisturiser should be completely absorbed within that period of time.
The same rule goes for choosing a good sunblock. Greasy ones can ruin your make-up, not to mention annoying you no-end. Nowadays there's a wide range of milky sunscreen lotions on the market which offer both effective UV protection and a matte finish. Remember that you need to re-apply sunscreen if you're exposed to strong sunlight for several hours at a time, so using a non-sticky option means you can top up your sunblock without having to remove your make-up.
In this kind of weather it's best to dispense with foundation altogether. Wearing heavy liquid foundation during the height of summer is just a disaster-in-waiting because it's sure to melt once the temperature rockets. The first alternative to full-coverage make-up minus that unwanted streaky look is using a powder foundation or else skipping foundation altogether and going straight to loose powder. There's nothing a good powder can't cover up.
During daylight hours, if your skin should start looking oily, blot the excess oil off with blotting paper. But never reapply powder to oily skin; it will just look "cakey".
A final tip for melt-proofing your make-up is to use a water-spritzer to help the make-up set. The moisture makes make-up stick to the skin better and gives you that fresh, dewy look.
Burt’s Bees Daisy White Moisturizing Cream is a non-sticky solution for making your skin look translucent.
Eucerin Sun Fluid Mattifying Face SPF 60+ protects the skin from harmful UV rays while keeping it moisturised and looking matte.
The Face Shop’s range of chia-seed skincare products offer full hydration with no sticky after-effects.
Clinique Even Better Powder Makeup SPF 25/PA+++ is packed with broad-spectrum SPF protection and is translucent enough to give a velvety finish.
Freshly fragrant
12 Plus introduces Crystal Perfume Cologne, a range of three long-lasting scents. The pink bottle suggests sweet-smelling flowers and seeks to recreate the feeling of spring in France. The blue bottle conjures up a feeling of freshness and is aimed at sporty personalities while the final option, which comes in a purple container, represents sensuality and mystery. The cologne is available in two sizes: 50ml (53 baht); and 90ml (92 baht).
The pink bottle contains a feminine fragrance boasting the delicate scent of fresh flowers; perfect for teenage girls, the brand's main target. The bottle is pocket-sized so is very portable and although it's made of hard plastic it appears quite fragile, somehow. The scent is quite enduring, very versatile and good value for money if you compare price with quality. If you're looking a quick spritz of freshness that you can leave on your desk at work or in your car without worrying whether it'll get stolen, this is a good choice.
- Montira Rungjirajittranon
So long, cellulite
L'Occitane has unveiled an ultra-fresh gel-cream called "Beautiful Shape" to help fight stubborn cellulite while helping to smooth and firm the skin. Thanks to extracts of Peruvian liana and quinoa, combined with essential oil of carrot, the cream is reputed to have anti-fat storage properties and to promote the release of fat. A blend of almond proteins and lemon extract helps reduce that orange-peel look caused by cellulite, leaving the skin soft, smooth and firm.
