the beauty beat

It's not over yet: Tips from a pro on makeup methods that stand up to Texas' blistering heat

I love the Texas heat and everything that goes along with it: boating on the Lake Austin, paddle boarding on Lady Bird Lake and sipping fruity drinks on a patio. But let’s face it, though we would love to spend our time relaxing in the sun and cooling off with a splash in the pool, unfortunately most of us still have to work, run errands and dash to appointments―this summer doing it all in triple digit weather. This never ending, record setting hot summer has made me declare 2011 the Summer of Sweat. So how do you survive a long, hot summer and beyond, without looking like a hot mess? Here are my top five beat-the-heat beauty secrets.

#1, Tinted moisturizer

Lighten up your makeup routine a bit; skip the heavy foundation and opt for a lightweight, oil-free tinted moisturizer. Look for one with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Zinc oxide is insoluble in water, so it will help the product stay on, even when you sweat. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which can help calm your skin on a scorching hot day. Titanium dioxide is a super-concentrated pigment so you need to wear very little to get great coverage. It is also the purest and most effective sun protection, the most important step in making sure you look good, not only this summer but for the many summers to come.

Before you apply the tinted moisturizer, apply a primer. It may seem like an extra step in an already busy morning, but you’ll be happy you took the extra 20 seconds. A primer provides a smooth, matte surface in which to apply your makeup and extends the wear, keeping it in place longer. Look for a primer with SPF as well. UV rays cause 90 percent of sunspots, wrinkles and other signs of aging. So enjoy the summer but lather on the sunscreen.

#2, Don't skimp on lashes

You’ve decided to simplify things a bit for the sake of the weather, but don’t skip your lashes. You really get the most bang for your buck from long, lovely lashes for a simple fresh-faced look. Curling your lashes makes them instantly more noticeable as well as appear longer, so you don’t have to wear as much mascara. Some of you may be scared of the torturous looking little device, but fear not. Choose a precision lash curler, a much smaller version of the traditional curler that targets only one section of lashes at a time. This design makes it easy to reach even the tiny lashes on the inner and outer corners of the eyes without pinching your skin.

Curl your lashes before applying mascara—curling after “smooshes” the mascara causing it to appear thick and clumpy. Unless you’re spending all day splashing around the pool, don’t wear a harsh waterproof mascara every day. Choose a gentle, water-resistant mascara. It will last all day without smudging and smearing, but is less harsh on your lashes and can be removed easily, causing fewer lashes to be lost.

#3, A little dab will do it

You may not be spending your days basking in the sun, but we're just wrapping up summer, so why not look like you have been. A little bronzer will do the trick. Go with a shade close to your natural skin tone. Just a shade or two darker will give you the natural, healthy glow of a nice summer vacation, not a lifetime of sun damage. Too dark and you can look dirty or splotchy; never go darker than your skin would actually get after a week or so in the sun.

Avoid too much shimmer in bronzer. Shimmery bronzers tend to look fake and make it harder to get an all over smooth blend. You should apply bronzer to the areas where your skin would actually get the most bronzed if you were to spend a day at the beach. Apply to the cheeks, tops of cheekbones, forehead, nose and chin. If showing, I also like to apply it to the chest and shoulders. Add a pop of a pink blush shade to the apples of the cheeks for a natural sun-kissed look. I think a pressed mineral powder bronzer is the easiest to apply and looks the most natural. Again, look for the ingredients titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for the optimum sun protection and longevity.

#4, Protect the lips

Though most of us remember to protect the skin on our face and body from the scorching summer sun, we often forget the delicate skin on our lips. Many lovely shades of lipsticks and glosses now have sunscreen. This not only protects, but keeps them beautifully un-chapped. Opt for light pinks and natural corals for this time of year—the lighter shades look less messy if you have to wipe the sweat off your upper lip.

#5, Blotting papers

Finally, blotting papers: love them and can’t live without them. They are cheap, convenient, easy to use and easy to carry. Always keep a few in your pocket, your purse and your car—everywhere. Just press a sheet or two or three on your skin to get rid of the shine. You can dust on a bit of powder if you really need it, but always blot first to keep the powder from caking on to sweaty skin. A quick blot will leave you with a nice glow.

My best advice is to go out and enjoy the remaining bit of Texas' summer, soak up the sun and don’t be afraid to sweat!

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Rochelle Rae is the creator of Rae Cosmetics, a line specifically designed to stand up against heat and humidity. The sweat-resistant design won't cake or smear while at work or play. The award-winning artist has earned a reputation as a premier makeup artist and beauty entrepreneur.

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HAWT COUTURE

Central Texas designers dazzle in avant-garde sustainable fashion show

Photo by Ima Shoots

Alive by Benjamin Medina's "Placebo" collection.

The members of the design collective Bloodbath Studios have a knack for showcasing visionary fashion in unconventional settings. In 2022, they combined queer representation and Americana at Willie Nelson's Luck Ranch. This December, it sent models down the aisles of Austin's Central Presbyterian Church.

The spectacle was part of Metanoia, an avant-garde fashion show documented by local film director and producer Hannah Varnell. As usual, she teamed up with Bloodbath's resident designers, Danielle Shephard, Benjamin Medina, and Navarr Gonzale s, who are creative directors of all the collaborative's shows.

The presentation broadly explored rebirth through the lens of sustainable fashion. Shepard tells CultureMap that her collection used 100 percent natural materials like wool, linen, metals, and leather for the first time.

Contrasting with the harder-edged pieces shown in 2023's Veneration show, Metanoia introduced ethereal elements like feathers, blurred animal prints, and soft draping. Even the more armored pieces featured a new lightness. A chained dress from Medina wrapped the model's body like gossamer, and a fierce metal bandeau from Shepard was paired with a wispy skirt.

In addition to showcasing work from Bloodbath's members, Metanoia made room for other underground creators. Conceptual artist Melanie Alva and ecologically minded brands Prior Waste and Sommestella presented mini collections.

The core designers led CultureMap through the inspirations of this season's designs.

Flamer by Navarr Gonzales

"FLAMER is inspired by all the different forms and curves of each body the brand dresses," writes Gonzales. "Pulling back all the layers and reforming them to emphasize the true form of the wearer. Leather is the core material used and a foundation of all my inspirations. I pull from subcultures within the queer community. The hidden corners of our experiences that are enticing and sensual."

Flamer by Navarr Gonzales A dramatic feathered piece in the Flamer collection.Photo by Ima Shoots

Flamer by Navarr Gonzales A ghostly vision in the Flamer collection.Photo by Ima Shoots

Alive by Benjamin Medina, "Placebo"

"Placebo embodies the quiet, powerful shift that occurs when belief is the only thing standing between stagnation and transformation," writes Medina. "Placebo is not just about change—it's about strength in the face of it. It's the unspoken force that drives you to rebuild, even when you can't see the path ahead."

Alive by Benjamin Medina Draped chains create the illusion of fabric in the Placebo collection.Photo by Willie Wang

Dashe by Danielle Shepard

"Personal style can also be a type of armor," writes Shepard. "This collection drove that home while also putting superior materials and couture techniques on the front lines. My aim is to create personalized heirloom pieces to combat the abysmally expensive cost-per-wear of cheap, poorly made fast fashion garments."

Dashe by Danielle Shepard Shepard says she considers individual clients' styles when creating designs.Photo by Ima Shoots

Dashe by Danielle Shepard The work in the Dashe collection is meant to lastPhoto by Willie Wang

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