While we don’t want to go to the beach in full makeup, looking like we’re ready to attend the Met Gala, there is a better option than going barefaced in our 60s and beyond. The solution? Minimal makeup that stays put even if we decide to take a plunge underwater. The good news? It does exist.
I am lucky enough to have lived beside a large body of water for years, a place where the swimming is wonderful during the summer. During this time, I’ve experimented with a wide variety of makeup since barefaced at the beach is not my favorite look (even more so now that I’m in my 70s.). Tip: Just because a product says waterproof, doesn’t mean that it really is.
These are my top picks for waterproof makeup guaranteed to leave you fresh-faced, no matter what you are doing in the water.
Lancome Hypnose Drama Waterproof Mascara
Many of us feel nude without our mascara. But mascara running down our cheeks at the beach is not an option. Lancome Hypnose Drama Waterproof Mascara does not budge when exposed to water, no matter the force behind it. And yet you can remove it easily at night using an oil-based remover. One Amazon reviewer claims that she could bawl her eyes out and then go swimming and this mascara would still be in place. Buy it at amazon.com.
La Bella Donna Loose Mineral Foundation
While no one wants to wear a heavy foundation at the beach, some of us prefer to have some coverage. In these instances, La Bella Donna Loose Mineral Foundation is truly the answer. But doesn’t powder accentuate wrinkles? Not this one. It doesn’t stay powdery once applied. And in heat, cream foundations are less stable than powders.
This is one of my favorite repurchases; I’ve used La Bella Donna Loose Mineral Foundation for more than 20 years. While we should never forget to use a good sunscreen, this powder, through a micronized titanium dioxide formula, is SPF50. It’s excellent to use all over your face or to touch up discolorations with a foundation brush. Buy it at amazon.com or at labelladonna.com
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Soft Matte Blush
There’s no reason to forgo a healthy glow on your cheeks just because you are in the water. And, you won’t have to with this blush. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Soft Matte Blush won’t budge even if you are snorkeling for hours. As one reviewer put it with a caveat: “This is a beautiful blush and is very pigmented. So be careful when applying. The color is vibrant and will certainly stay on all day.” Or, as L’Oreal claims, it’s good for 24 hours. Buy it at amazon.com.
Clinique Quickliner for Eyes
Many of us are challenged with using an eyeliner in daily life, let alone when we’re planning a day in the surf or in the sun. As we age, our eyes tend to droop, and our liner makes its way up onto the brow bone. Not only does Clinique Quickliner not transfer when you sweat but you can swim and frolic in it. We chose Charcoal as a suggested color because it’s not as harsh as black, flattering to all eye colors, and fades slowly, leaving a beautiful tone that adds depth to the eyes. Buy it at amazon.com.
Tom Ford’s Emotionproof Eye Primer
Any eyeshadow will wear like iron if layered over Tom Ford’s Emotionproof Eye Primer. According to the company, it creates a flawless canvas for eyeshadow. It’s sheer, with a 24-hour veil that locks in shadow for a no-crease finish. The primer contains silica for a burring, soft-focus effect. If you use this product on your eyelids, your eyeshadow will still be intact when you surface from the waves. Buy it at tomfordbeauty.com.
Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink Longwear No-Budge Liquid Lipcolor
A light stain of color is perfect for a day at the beach — infinitely better than a heavy lipstick with a penciled outline. Stains are all the rage now and the good news is that they stay on really well. Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink Longwear No-Budge Liquid Lipcolor applies like a lipstick. Simply blot the color down and the stain will stay on your lips. And stays and stays, according to reviewers. Guaranteed, if you apply this in the morning and spend the day at the beach (under hat and umbrella), you will still have color left on your lips when you pack up to leave. Buy it at amazon.com.
Chantecaille Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil Definer
So many women our age feel self-conscious about our over-plucked or thinning eyebrows, particularly when the trend is to show healthy, full brows. Some of us would even rather to skip a swim than surface with smudgy eyebrows. Chantecaille Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil Definer lets you swim and frolic and keep your brows intact. No running or smudging. This pencil isn’t waxy or creamy and therefore doesn’t break down in heat or moisture. It’s a true pencil. I use Light Taupe, which is very close to a universal brow color unless you are very fair. Buy it at chantecaille.com.
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