Makeup Meltdown {Courtesy of Andrew Petersen}

04 Jul Makeup Meltdown {Courtesy of Andrew Petersen}

By Andraya Northrup | July 04, 2010

Happy Fourth of July! I am thrilled to report that I am taking the day off…thanks to my friend and makeup artist extraordinaire, Andrew Petersen, who is guest blogging today. Andrew is well known around Charleston for his detailed oriented perfection, and we just love him. If you are a bride getting married in the summer, attending a summer wedding, or simply spending a skinny minute outdoors in the South, you will want to take notes. {Especially you brides who have worked hard to plan the event of your dreams, you simply cannot afford for your makeup to be anything less than flawless…} We cannot think of a better way to celebrate than by letting Andrew share how to keep us all picture perfectly gorgeous.

This HEAT!! This overwhelming blistering heat!! As soon as I step off my front porch it looks as if I’ve just come back from a dip in the Atlantic. I’ve instructed the dog to walk himself and begged my postman to hand deliver all my mail to save me a trip to my mailbox. I’ve clipped an electric fan to the front of my shirt and all my meals consist of pineapple popsicles! Okay my sweethearts, some of that may be slight exaggerations but you get my point-the dog days of summer are upon us. As we break out the flip flops and tanks tops I know you all are asking yourself, “How do I maintain my sexy? How does this heat affect my beauty regime?” Well, you asked and I answer. I have some great glam tips up my sleeve to save the day. So pour yourself a tall glass of sweet iced tea and take notes.

First, a healthy natural bronze glow in the summer is envy of all makes you look fresh and relaxed. The secret is getting this look without pruning yourself in the damaging rays of the sun. If you find yourself in New York City, step into Trish McEvoy’s Skin Care Center on 60th & 5th to get the most natural, golden, glorious spray tan ever delivered to even the most exclusive celebs. However, if you’re sticking closer to home I have two suggestions. First, exfoliate your skin(especially your elbows and knees) and then pick up L’Oreal Sublime Bronze from your local drug store. I adore this spray! It goes on like a fine mist, you do not have to blend, it delivers the most beautiful color, and the scent reminds me of the beach.

The next thing I would suggest is to switch from a moisturizer to a serum. A moisturizer will only add a layer of heaviness to your skin. A serum will not only be a much lighter alternative that works for all ages and skin types, but you can receive the benefits of anti aging ingredients, moisture retaining qualities, as well as immediate and lasting results all within a water like texture. My personal favorite is Trish McEvoy’s Beauty Booster Serum mainly because it “works in synergy to attract and retain moisture as well as stimulate natural collagen production” And who couldn’t use a little dose of synergy in a bottle?! If you are going to be enjoying the ‘magical light’ of summer that Longfellow describes-then you MUST make sure your skin is protected.

If you’re going to the beach-get yourself a sun hat. You can pick up a wide brimmed straw sun hat from everywhere to the local TJ Maxx to the nearby Neiman Marcus. But a sexy sun hat isn’t enough for these sizzling afternoons. You must remember that sunscreen is absolutely vital. Without it you are leaving yourself prone to premature aging, skin blemishes and worst of all-melanoma. I have come across, LUCA, a light as a feather sunblock that not only is a miracle worker but is produced locally here in Charleston. I recommend using the LUCA SPF 30 Daily Moisturizer. This super formula “provides up to 6 hours of protection” which is approximately 3 hours longer than the normal sunscreens on the market. Pair your sunblock with a mineral powder foundation, in lieu of a heavier liquid foundation. These quick fix solutions will have you prepped to meet these balmy afternoons and magical rays of the sun well protected.

Meltdowns of any variety are best to be avoided-but makeup meltdowns are a special shade of tragic seeing as it’s literally written all over your face! Keep these teeny products close at hand to beat the summer blues and still look and feel like the epitome of ‘so fresh and so clean’! These handy towelettes by MD Skincare treat all skin types in cleansing and moisturizing all without water.

Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Lip Gloss in Sexy Nude. This shade looks gorgeous on every client that I’ve ever tried it on. I literally have them calling me up to deliver this shade by the dozen. Trish McEvoy’s Booster Lip glosses are brilliant because not only do they containBooster serum to hydrate the lips but also have sunblock. Nothing is easy and as brightening to any complexion than a dot of lip gloss. Not only does it give the lips a fresh appearance but it also gives a more youthful look!

Evian Mineral Water (travel size). What a handy way to refresh your complexion, set your makeup, remove perspiration and deliver a cool mist all in one!

Sugar Deodorant Antiperspirant -by Fresh. Now don’t laugh, but I am a fan of being prepared for every emergency. Lets all ‘raise our hands to be sure’-but in this case raise our hands and be Sugar fresh!