It's Getting Hot in Here...

Every spring and summer, the fashion and beauty mags present a multitude of articles promising tips and tricks on how to stay cool and beautiful when the weather is hot and humid. Guess what? It's all lies! Because any gal who is a sweaty mess come the months of May through September can tell you that no amount of lightweight foundation or waterproof mascara is going to cut it when the heat index soars past 80 degrees. Or for some of us, anything higher than 65. And don't get me started on what happens when you throw humidity in the mix.

Luckily, I have air conditioning (and I'm not afraid to use it), so when I get ready to go out, I'm usually able to beautify myself without the heat being too much of a problem. That all changes once I step outside; instantly, the sweat glands on my face and head start to work overtime and all that time and effort I put into looking perty is for naught. I usually have a napkin or a paper towel in my purse in an effort to dab away the sweat and let me tell you, it's not a super classy move.

Being a sweaty mess is my cross to bear in this world so there are a few tricks I utilize when it's hot as balls outside (beside running - or rather, walking - from one air conditioned place to another). This summer, I'm a big fan of the neutral eye/bright pop of color on the lips trend. Here are a few of my go-to products right now:

• I mix Korres Quercetin & Oak Age-Reversing Primer with a dab of Benefit 'That Gal' Brightening Face Primer and apply all over my face as a base; I get the benefits of the primer and a nice understated glow. A good primer (Korres is my favorite) really does smooth out the skin and allow for better make-up application.
• I prefer an all-in-one powder foundation to a liquid foundation/translucent powder combination. I really love Sephora's Mattifying Foundation; it's lightweight sponge applicator helps with coverage and the powder foundation itself helps control oil throughout the day.  
• I love liquid gel eyeliner with the passion of a 1,000 fiery suns but find that sometimes black or brown looks a little heavy in the summer. This is the perfect time of year to try something bright, like blue (M.A.C. Fluidline in Waveline) or turquoise, or if you prefer to stick to a neutral, copper is great. I swear by an angled eyeliner brush for the easiest application.
• Just like eyeliner, summer is a great time to play with bright colors on the lips. After all, tangerine is the official Pantone color of the year! I love lipgloss but lately, I've been trying to switch things up a little and really like moisturizing lip balms. Because they go on sheer, it's a safe way to wear a super bright color without looking like you just ran away from the circus. I like Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Balm in Super Strawberry, Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 in Coral, or Cover Girl Natureluxe Gloss Balm.
• Last but not least, I swear by face blotting tissues, no matter what time of year it is. They help keep shine to a minimum and some of them contain ingredients that help prevent acne or fight against free radicals. I like The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Facial Blotting Tissues and Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens.

So, those are a few of my favorite products and although they don't prevent me from looking like a drowned rat by the end of the day, they help in their own small way. And if all else fails, I recommend wearing a pair of ridiculously oversized sunglasses. They truly hide everything...

Lipgloss Addiction Redeux (Part II)

Let me mention, yet again, that I really AM the world's worst blogger. I mean, seriously... I think I may post, on average, one blog article a year, if that. Trust me, it's not for lack of having an opinion on just about everything but rather that laziness thing I've mentioned time and time again. As a fanatic lover and frequent purchaser of cosmetics and various and sundry beauty products, I often wonder why I don't hop on here and spread the word about what I love or dislike more often. Maybe it's knowing that some people could give a rat's ass about what my favorite gel eyeliners are (Bobbi Brown and M.A.C. - in case you're wondering) or the fact that Burt's Bees chapstick (the original one - not the ridiculous pomegranite or mango nonsense) truly deserves to have songs and poetry written about it.

I think a big part of my problem is struggling with the notion that in a world where terrible, ugly things happen every day, expounding upon the joys of eyeshadow and moisturizer seems a shallow endeavour. Then again, I think it's for that very reason that it's important to look for beauty in the world, in whatever form it may come. And in re-reading my very first blog post, I realize that those things I pondered are still true today (which is a not-so-subtle way of saying you should read my very first post again, too...).

I often feel like I need to have more hobbies when in fact, I have a perfectly good hobby staring me right in the face and it combines two things I love to do - write and give unsolicited advice.

So, enough philosophizing... let's get to the good stuff. Stay tuned for my rant about how staying cool as a beautiful cucumber in 90-100 degree weather is just not possible...Seriously beauty magazines... I'm not buying what you're trying to sell.