Makeup for an early morning shoot in Santorini, Greece

Whether you’re in Greece or in humid Florida summer is full of wonderful things — but melting makeup is not among them. You can just avoid wearing any, but if you’re heading to a special event, have a blemish you want to conceal, or just feel like wearing some makeup, being barefaced may not be an option for you. I have done some research myself and also asked a destination makeup artist Sanni for some tips on how to choose the best makeup for your photoshoot or wedding here in Greece. Sanni has lived in five countries on three continents, which gives her unique perspective and knowledge on how to act in different weather conditions with different skin types.

1. Start with moisturizer

For a photoshoot use a tinted moisturizer and a concealer or a BB cream. Tip from Sanni regarding event photography, if you know that the photographer or your friends will be using flash, it is better to avoid moisturizer with SPF, it can make you look shiny.

In hot and humid weather like Santorini makeup can melt, so the best way to avoid that is to wear less of it.

2. Use primer for long lasting effect

A primer goes on after moisturizer but before face makeup. It really acts as a grip for face-coverage makeup and can help to keep your makeup in place. Basically, it extends the life of the foundation or CC cream you apply over the top.
Or, if you have a good hydration-based lotion, it can act as a magnet to any foundation you put on your face.

3. No shimmer in the summer

The humidity will make you extra shiny; therefore avoid creamy moisturizing foundations or anything too luminous. Cream foundation tends to stay shiny and may melt in the heat. Choose a liquid lightweight water-based foundation for full coverage or good CC cream. The liquid foundation looks sheerer and it’s great if you want that fresh look without too much shine.

4. I would like to hide the blemishes, but because of the hot weather, I will be applying only a lightweight water-based foundation. What product should I use to achieve the best result?

As pointed out by Sanni: “On a hot day, I opt for Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Liquid as it’s oil-free and really stays in place without feeling heavy. And for blemishes, you can’t beat Tarte Shape Tape concealer. It truly stays in place and you can use a tiny amount and buff it in with a fluffy brush.

Always set with a powder on hot days, a pro product I swear by is Ben Nye Banana Powder. It doesn’t flash back – beware of that on your wedding day! – and is micro-milled.

And lastly, always have blotting papers in your bridal touch up kit  :)“

5. Blotting papers

Blotting papers are great because they absorb excess shine but do not disturb the makeup. To eliminate sweat and make shine matte blot first, then follow up with a pressed powder. Use oil-absorbing blotting sheets in your arsenal. They are packed in a very thin and light form but work like magic! Blot your forehead, T-zone, and under-eye area to instantly absorb shine and stay matte.

5. Increase Lip Makeup Longevity

Because Summer weather is naturally going to make your skin slightly shiny,  avoid anything too glossy or shiny; just use a bit of sheer or natural-looking color lipstick. If you want to increase the longevity of the lipstick, then try this tip – put a thin layer of lipstick, then blot it with a clean tissue paper and then reapply another layer of your lipstick.

In midday sun use a lipliner pre-application for extra definition and go for a nude shade to keep that carefree feeling, which deposits a clear, waxy fill to stop the color from melting.

6. Best Eye makeup for a hot summer day? And what to avoid.

Sanni, a destination makeup artist stated that  “The key to lasting makeup is a good eye primer. I prefer TooFaced Shadow Insurance as it really works. I also like to layer shadows, so first primer, then a great cream base Like Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks, and then, finally, powder eye shadow to lock it all in.

7. Mascara

For humid and hot destinations, like Santorini, a tubing mascara is the way to go. Tubing mascara forms tiny water-resistant “tubes” around your lashes once applied, the tubes bind to your lashes and don’t run or flake nor smudge.

Sanni suggested: “Waterproof mascara is designed to be taken off with oil and on hot summer days, the skin under your eyes will get oily so even waterproof mascara will smudge. A top coat of a tubing mascara like Glossier Lash Slick will keep your mascara where it should be.”

8. Always finish with a setting spray

The final step to seal in your look and for makeup to last all day is using a setting spray. Because so many Santorini photo shoots happen in the early morning hours I asked Sanni to answer the question I get a lot, what to do with puffy eyes?

EXTRA TIP
for a morning photoshoot. How to get rid of puffy eyes early morning?

Sanni said ”First, don’t worry if you have not slept much, most brides don’t! Keep a cooling eye stick in the fridge, my favorite is Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Eye De-puffer. It’s beautifully cooling and soothing and contains caffeine which is an excellent de-puffer. The stick, actually,  is meant for men, but an insider secret is that men’s products often have more acute ingredients than women’s – they have thicker skins – so you get more bang for your buck.

Also, my total favorite is for under-eye masks is KNC Beauty. Pop these on while your hairstylist is doing your hair and your under eyes will be perfect!“

In the conclusion:

Start by choosing your makeup that is heat-friendly. Instead of foundation use lighter formula face products, such as a tinted moisturizer and CC cream, they don’t melt off as easily as some creamy products, like some foundations. Keep it light! Take a light tinted moisturizer with SPF, topped with some compact powder. Apply a coat of mascara for your eyes and follow it up with a light hydrating lip gloss. All these will give a natural makeup look as well as protect your skin from the harsh sun!

You can find more about Sanni here

www.sannisorma.com
Instagram @missmai27
Youtube @missmai27

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