How to keep your makeup flawless in the Caribbean heat

March 22, 2023 - Sandals Resorts - Sandals Select

Hot off of the latest series of Lifetime®'s Britain's Next Top Model, internationally renowned make-up artists Lee Pycroft and Katy Nixon joined us back in March on our Facebook page for The Holiday Make-up Q&A.  Here is a roundup of the questions you asked along with all their top hints and tips for looking gorgeous in the Caribbean heat.

Q1: Hello Lee and Katy, I would like to know your opinion on contouring please? Does it give the face a false look?

Lee: Hello! The contoured look has been overdone to say the least and can look harsh in the sunshine. Try using a soft, small blush brush and lightly dust a bronzer slightly underneath your cheekbones then use a peachy tone on the apples of your cheeks. This will help sculpt your cheeks and add glow to the skin

Katy: I would recommend using creams and gels for this look in a hotter climate this will add a healthier glow to skin so you will avoid a powdery made up look. I would encourage to use this only if you need a little more definition in areas, for example if you have a rounder face.

Q2: Hello, any make up tips for really pale skin when on holiday? Any good bronzer? Thanks! X

Katy: Hi Jen, thanks for your beauty question. I would recommend using a gel bronzer for the holidays. These are great for when your skin is changing colour as can be used alone to add warmth and even out skin tone, but also mixed into your foundation to warm up so you don't need to waste any product! There are a lot on the market which are long wearing and with built in SPF so perfect for your holiday and getting that beach sun kissed glow.

Q3: Hello! Waterproof make up - any tips on the best eye and eyebrow products for a long lasting look in the heat?

Lee: Hello! There are lot of tried and tested products available. They tend to be in gel formulas but direct message us for product recommendations!

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Lee: If you need to reapply your sunscreen over the top of your makeup- press it on with the palms of your hands and fingertips. This will avoid moving the makeup underneath.

Q4: Hi, I hate it when the freckles on my face come out in the sun, are there any good products that would make them less obvious without resorting to normal foundation which can sometimes feel a bit heavy on holiday and can also be the wrong colour after a few days in the sun!

Katy: I love freckles! They are beautiful Laura, you should embrace your natural beauty not hide them. However if you did want to even out your complexion a little BB creams and Tinted Moisturizers are a great way of smoothing the skin and getting a more even complexion without looking or feeling too cakey and made up.

Lee: Hi Laura- I love freckles!! One of the past winners of BNTM has loads of freckles. If you wear SPF 50 and a hat that will help prevent them coming out. Failing that there are lots of waterproof foundations on the market that can be buffed into the skin so the product looks seamless. The key is to either use a sponge or fingers and press the product into the skin.

Q5: For those of us that struggle with skin pigmentation, what's the best way to cover this up? Especially in that Caribbean heat!?

Lee: If you have pigmentation that you want to cover up -try an opaque cream formula concealer suitable for covering birthmarks and tattoos. Apply it with a small brush and blend the edges with a soft, fluffy eyeshadow brush- this will ensure a seamless finish.

Katy: There are some great oil free long wearing concealers more available on the market, avoid anything too creamy as this will not last well in the Caribbean heat. Have a feel of the texture and anything a bit harder/drier will offer you a longer wearing and fuller coverage. Apply with a brush and layer as needed for a more natural finish.

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Katy: Fixing Sprays are amazing to set make-up and refresh/ hydrate skin! Perfect for helping makeup stay in place and stop slipping off and smudging in hotter climates!

Q6: Hi! What colours would you recommend for someone with pale skin who still wants to achieve a fun beach look?

Lee: Hey Chloe! I would go for a coloured mascara! They look amazing when the sunlight hits the lashes. Try an electric blue J

Katy: Hi Chloe, I would recommend a pop of colour on the lips! Sleek have some beautiful lip colours and palettes with brighter shades that are really beautiful. Myself and lee had great fun playing back stage with all the bold colours on New Britain's Next Top Model 2023 so go check these out!

Q7: Hello! What is the best way/best products to use to cover up if you have acne prone skin and do you have any tips to keep my skin clear of spots / blemishes? Thanks X

Katy: Great, thank you Jess. I would really recommend upping your intake of water to really help clear skin. Ensure that you have a great skin care routine in place, to make sure you are cleaning and unblocking all impurities, adding a gentle exfoliator and mask into your routine twice a week is a really good way of having a deeper cleanse. To actually cover and treat the spot I would recommend applying some witch hazel the night before to help dry it out and then using a long wear oil free concealer to give you maximum coverage. DM us for some product recommendations.

Lee: Hi Jessica! Might be worth looking at a mineral base too. DM us for more deets

Q8: Here is a question for you please: Do you have any tips to keep my skin clear of spots / blemishes? Thanks!!

Lee: There are specific skincare lines that focus on blemished complexions. They are known as cosmeceuticals and they contain a higher ratio of potent ingredients that can have a more immediate effect on problem areas. Dr Perricone MD, Dr Nick Lowe or Obagi are good ranges to look at....Katy what do you think?

Katy: Yes I agree, I love using the Skinceuticals range on some of my clients at the moment and have seen some great results, I would also say to drink more water and keep hydrated J

Q9: Hi! What’s the best way to hide a sunburned face without aggravating my skin any further?

Lee: Hello! Aloe Vera is your friend when sunburnt! We used it when the girls got burnt on BNTM! Go for a mineral foundation for a touch of coverage as this won’t aggravate your skin and will allow your skin to heal quickly.

Katy: I personally recommend the purest form of aloe vera you can get, a lot of products have +98%. Also, go for the most organic and natural form if you can’t get the plant itself! I love to use a gel form as I find this the most cooling consistency on my skin after being in the sun!

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Lee: Keep your Aloe Vera products (or plant!) in the fridge as it feels wonderful and cooling on sunburnt skin.

Q10: Hi ladies, could you please let me know how to stop the shine/oil coming through my foundation? I get really oily in the heat and I'm getting hitched in the Caribbean ( bit nervous about my skin in the photos!)

K: Hi Ceri, great question. This can be a common problem with most skin types. I would recommend using a really great primer that has a mattifying finish. And taking some additional blot papers with you for your big day.

Q11: Would you recommend I use a Makeup Artist or do the makeup myself? I'm not very confident with makeup application and want it to be perfect

Katy: Generally I would recommend you use a great artist on the day just to take the pressure off and really pamper yourself! It is your big day after all!!! But I would encourage you to explore different looks and have lesson before hand to really find out your preferences and what works best for you. Have an amazing wedding!! DM for any further advice!!

Lee: Hey Ceri! Using a makeup artist is beneficial but make sure you test a few out… Get some images together that inspire you as this will give the artist a good idea of what you are looking for. Good luck

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Katy: Tinted Eye Brow Gels are amazing for holidays when the sun can lighten the brows or the odd grey hair pops through! They hold really well in hot climates and help to keep brows in place and naturally define them.

Q12: Hello ladies! Can I ask, will make up protect my skin when I'm sunbathing?

Katy: You can get some great base products with high SPF in, however we would definitely recommend layering this on top of a SPF 50 face sun block. This will ensure you have maximum protection.

Lee: Always go for an SPF 50 and you can get a tinted sunscreen so you get a bit of added coverage!

Q13: What are your three essential products that we can pop in our beach bag to take us from beach to bar?

Lee:  I love a gel or fluid blush as this type of formula last well in the heat, a concealer with SPF and a tinted lipbalm also with SPF!

Katy: I would also recommend a great water proof mascara, to really help define and open eyes.

Q14: Lastly, did you all know that Sunday 20 March is the official International Day of Happiness? How would you ladies encourage us to embrace all things wellness, from the inside-out?

Lee: As you may know I set up an Initiative a while ago called MY-Makeover. We offer complimentary, bespoke pampering sessions to a variety of charities all in the bid to aid emotional wellbeing. Katy is on the team too and the feedback we have had is amazing! Remember, motion breeds emotion so use your physiology to help change your state of mind and always be mindful of what you focus on.

We would like to thank Lee and Katy for giving up their time to join us for The Holiday Makeup Q&A. Ladies, we thoroughly enjoyed hearing all of your top tips and hints. Many thanks also go to everyone from our Facebook community for asking some fantastic questions. The winner of the pamper hamper will be announced on Facebook later this week!