The Best Rainy Day Beauty Tips and Tricks

We’re all about presenting a united front, and no matter the weather, there’s simply no excuse for running around with fuzzy hair and melted mascara raccoon eyes. In fact, we’re armed with an arsenal of rainy day beauty tips and tricks that will help to keep your look in check with hardly any extra effort at all.

Close your hair’s cuticle for less frizz.

Regardless of whether your hair is fine, thick, straight, curly, or some combination thereof, rainy weather can only mean one thing: Frizz, and lots of it. The key to avoiding fuzzy texture is to keep the hair’s cuticle sealed. To close the cuticle use paraffin free conditioner and paraben free serums when styling and rinsing hair with cold water at the end of your shower. Use argon oil which is excellent in removing dryness and frizziness in your hair.

Go light on the makeup.
Aside from the obvious—read: waterproof mascara and eyeliner— steering clear of heavy moisturisers and foundation when humidity is high. We’ve all experienced the irritating face-melting effect of heavier makeup and high humidity, so instead try getting some colour from a lightweight illuminating product, a silky powder palette that combines bronzer, highlighter, and blush for a total about-face.

Ward off humidity.
While an umbrella can help to lessen the likelihood of getting completely soaked, there’s definitely no hiding from humidity, so arm yourself with hair products that protect against steamy weather. After styling, lightly coat hair in an anti-humidity spray that also offers hold. If you’re especially prone to frizz, carrying a travel-size version of styling cream, or even a moisturising hand cream, can be an indispensable help for touch-ups throughout the day.

Blending makes it better.
Whether you’re heading out into a light drizzle or a torrential downpour, makeup precautions need to be taken. To keep your makeup intact in humid weather, always make sure to rub makeup into your skin so that it’s not just sitting on top. The suede texture of the curved non-latex sponge perfectly blends makeup for a flawless finish that really works makeup into the skin.

Keep volume intact.
A high-volume updo or ponytail just won’t last in the drizzle, unless you’re adding some seriously formidable product to go with it. Spritz a texturising spray  to give hair weight and, well, texture, which will prevent it from falling flat, before back-combing at the crown. Hardy also suggests criss-crossing two bobby pins at the base of your tease to keep volume high.

The sun isn’t shining, so your face shouldn’t be.
Yet another humidity-induced problem we face during rainy weather is unwanted shine. Turn to skin care and makeup specifically designed to combat it, like lightweight mattifying moisturizers, both tinted and otherwise. A primer with a powdery matte finish, can also work wonders for repelling excess oil and shine throughout the day. We cannot emphasize enough how critical blotting papers are for keeping the greasies at bay. Pop them in your purse for a face fix-up any time.

11 Dos and Don’ts of Fall and Winter Makeup

It's not just your fall and winter wardrobe that needs to transition for the colder weather; your makeup and skincare routine needs a refresher, too. Here are all the swaps you need to make to look beautiful all winter long.

 

Do: Wear maroon and burgundy lipstick

One of the best ways to get a standout autumn look is to play up your lip color. During fall, turn to plum or burgundy shades of lipsticks, glosses, and stains. The look is somewhat vampy, but absolutely stunning on pale skin. Makeup artist and beauty consultant Tom Pecheux describes it as "sophisticated in a twisted kind of way," thanks to its darker elements. With such a bold lip, there's no need to also make a statement with your eyes, as you don't want to overpower the look. Keep your eye shadow minimal, but feel free to use simple black mascara and eyeliner.

Don't: Wear coral or pink lipstick

We all love wearing red lipstick as winter makeup, not only because it's festive, but also because red perfectly matches your black, gray, and browns of your darker winter wardrobe. However, it's important you stick to classic or dark reds without any coral or pink undertones. These colors signal warmer weather and will clash with your dark, winter outfits.

Do: Paint your nails gray or nude

Nail polish is much more than just makeup; it's also a great accessory. It serves to compliment your jewelry, long-sleeved blouses, and coats, so make sure your nail polish is always an appropriate color. Bust out the grays, nudes, blacks, cherry reds, Merlot, and even sparkly golds and silvers.

Don't: Paint your nails neon

As pretty as fluorescent pink looks on your fingers and toes, bright and colorful varnishes are a serious winter makeup faux pas. If your favorite color is turquoise blue, turn to navy instead. As fun as rainbow polish colors are, save them for your next beach vacation.

Do: Apply rosy, pink blush

One benefit of braving the cold in winter is returning home with flushed, rosy cheeks. You can recreate this flattering look by generously swirling on pink blush. This can add rosiness to medium skin tones, which can go a touch sallow when pale. It adds that warmth and punch to the skin that we miss when it's cold out.

Don't: Continue wearing bronzer

As your tan fades with the passing of summer, it's best to embrace paler skin and find ways to complement it, rather than try to paint on a fake, summer glow. Ditch your bronzer this fall and winter, and instead stick to pink blush. A brown contour won't match the rest of your body, and rosy cheeks look far more endearing.

Do: Always apply kohl eyeliner

For fall and winter makeup: it's all about the kohl eyeliner. Whether you opt for a sharp cat-eye or smudgy, morning-after look, black liner is a winter staple. It looks stunningly dramatic on pale skin and pairs well with a dark, winter wardrobe. You really can't go wrong.

Don't: Line your eyes in purple or blue

Purple and blue liners are daring and often considered high-fashion, but they're sadly out of place during fall and winter. If you need a colorful alternative, you can certainly play with gold liner. Otherwise, it's best to stick to charcoal black.

Do: Wear copper and bronze eye shadow

Gold and copper eye shadows are the way to go this fall and winter. These colors easily go from day to night, add a smoldering shimmer, and are conveniently festive. If you don't feel brave enough to apply these metallic shades, deep purple, taupe, and gray are beautiful alternatives.

Do: Focus on moisturizing makeup

As the weather gets harsher, your number-one concern should be keeping your skin hydrated. Instead of your usual foundation, it's best to apply especially moisturizing primers, BB creams, and sunscreen (yep, you still need SPF in winter) at the start of your beauty routine. The last thing you want is to let your face dry out, which will result in cracking and flaking makeup.

Don't: Hold onto the same foundation

It's a common mistake to hold onto our favorite liquid foundation during the changing seasons, but as your skin gets a few shades lighter, do not continue applying makeup that's too dark for you. Instead, find a matching powder or foundation, or ditch that coverage altogether. As your skin battles the elements, it's better to focus on hydrating skincare than faking a tan.