With mask-wearing being rightfully mandatory in many places, we’re hoping to make the adjustment to the new norm as easy as possible. Long gone are the days pre-COVID, where your last step before heading out would be adding lipstick or accessories to complete your look before grabbing your keys. If fact you might even be skipping a lipstick or foundation in favor of a no-fuss bare face to avoid the smudging and transfer that comes with wearing makeup under your face mask.
Face Mask Makeup Tips
For the beauty lovers out there whose lengthy makeup routines provide some solace to the occasional makeup wearers and everyone in between, there are ways you can adjust your application and routines. We reached out to makeup artist Ashley Victoria for tips on long-wearing, no-smudge makeup and ways to adjust your routine. Keep reading to see what she had to say.
Less is More
Great base makeup is the foundation of any look but when your base makeup is rubbing off on your mask or causing breakouts, it’s time to switch up your application. “During these times less is more because all the bacteria on our face is in breeding grounds due to the heat in the mask and not having breathable skin,” Ashley explains. Summer heat which usually causes a makeup meltdown is only exacerbated by a mask. “So my advice is to wear less makeup, maybe spot conceal with a heavier concealer in areas that you really need it.”
Prep, Prime and Set
Of course, should the occasion call for a full face of coverage there are steps you can take to ensure it lasts. “To control your foundation from moving make sure to set it with a powder and have a good long wear primer,” Ashley says. Priming and setting are just as important even if you aren’t wearing a full face, she continues, “If you are spot concealing just set the areas that have product on it to keep it fresh and natural. Too Faced Born This Way concealer is a good foundation/concealer that’s lightweight and long wear.”
Best Primers to set your makeup under face masks:
Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas: Featherweight Protective Primer, $52
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer, $32
Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder, $39
Even our favorite lipstick is likely to smudge and smear, especially if your go-to is a creamy or glossy formula, opt for long-wear formulas. “My favorite long-wear lipsticks are liquid lipsticks. Most are drying But they get the job done. Some of my favorites are by MAC and Dose of Colors.” Most liquid lipsticks dry down to matte formula that won’t move no matter what. For extra comfort prep your lips with a balm or moisturizing oil.
Double Cleanse
“If you wear your mask for most of the day cleanse in the morning and double cleanse at night. Keep that skin moisturized you can also do a facial steam at home once a week to really open up the pores and deep clean.”
To double cleanse, first use an oil-based cleanser to gently breakdown and remove makeup and dirt, then follow up with a regular cleanser to thoroughly cleanse. In the morning you can use a gentler cleanser that won’t dry out your skin like
Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser.
Consider these Double Cleansers
Chanel Anti-Pollution Cleansing Oil, $45
Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Oil Cleanser, $48
Drunk Elephant Slaai™ Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser, $34
Experiment with Your Look
Last but not least, have fun with your look. We may be wearing masks for a while but it doesn’t mean you should stop wearing makeup altogether, it’s an opportunity to be more creative with it. Ashley says, “For some fun looks while in my mask I like to experiment with eyeliner fun eyeliner looks will amplify the look and give people something to stare at other than the mask! Some of my favorites are from Fenty Beauty, NYX, Dior.”
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels.
