Makeup and Theme Parks – Tips For Your Best Look

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A Theme Park Vacation is a wonderful thing – melting foundation, smeared eyeliner, faded lip color, or super shine when you’re trying to capture that perfect family memory…not so much. 

We need to talk about a much ignored topic when it comes to planning a vacation to the parks, and that’s what to do about makeup on those long open to close days in the Summer or in places known for their heat and humidity. We’ve put together the best tips, including looks, brands, and products to wear for keeping your face looking natural and fresh, even when you’re sweating on hot days in the parks. 

1. Start with the right moisturizer

The way you care for your skin is just as important as the makeup you apply on it. Use an oil-free moisturizer in the morning, and opt for an oil-free foundation formula to match. These will be less likely to leave your face greasy throughout the day, especially in the heat.

We recommend the 5 in 1 from RoC


Beauty routines at the parks need a good foundation of care, before applying YOUR foundation, make sure to moisturize.

RoC 5 in 1, is powered by Hexyl-R Complex to reduce the appearance of discoloration, density loss, dryness, dull tone and wrinkles. Skin is hydrated and healthy-looking with discolorations visibly improved for a more even tone. Broad Spectrum SPF 30 helps protect against harmful UVA/UVB rays.

Gentle enough for daily use it’s the best first step to getting ready for a day of fun.

2. Layer on sun protection

Besides hydrating your skin, you also want to make sure it’s properly protected from the sun — and that means wearing broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every single day, even under your makeup. (Applying makeup over sunburned skin is not fun!)

You should be re-applying sunscreen every two hours, but that can be hard when you’re out and about — especially when you don’t want to use your hands. Here’s an awesome tip that involves repurposing an empty makeup compact:

  • Use dish soap to clean an old liquid foundation compact and cushion. Let dry.
  • Soak the cushion with your favorite face sunscreen inside the compact.
  • To re-apply, dip a sponge applicator into the cushion and dab on your face.

Another option is to use a sunscreen powder for reapplication, which can be dusted on top of your makeup.

BRUSHONBLOCK – Mineral Sunscreen


BrushOnBlock is a natural mineral powder sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum SPF 30 sun protection like more traditional forms of sunscreen but without the mess and grease. It was created to be an all-natural, non-irritating, easy-to-use alternative to thick and goopy sunscreen creams and lotions. Wear your Brush On Block alone or over your makeup, without having to worry about greasy residue.

Toss it in your bag or put it in your pocket for all day protection.

3. Invest in a powerhouse makeup primer

You won’t regret the few seconds it takes to apply a makeup primer, which goes on after moisturizer but before face makeup. Primers are definitely the way to go in summer, they really help hold makeup in place without feeling like a heavy additional layer.

Elizabeth Mott – Thank Me Later Face Primer

 

This matte makeup primer readies your face after your skin care regimen and before makeup application to ensure your look is locked in. It delivers an immediate smooth effect on your skin.

4. Two Words – Powder Foundation

Powder foundations are a great option at the parks because they won’t melt off and can easily be reapplied even when you’re a little sweaty.

L’Oreal Paris – Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation

 

Infallible up to 24hr fresh wear foundation-in-a-powder covers like a liquid and mattifies with no cakey look. The weightless powder texture gives full coverage and a natural, matte finish that looks fresh hour after hour.

5. Wear less makeup

If you want to prevent your makeup from creasing and caking at the parks, say it with us: Less is more. You really CAN  just use a tinted moisturizer and a concealer where you need it. Makeup likes to move around when it’s hot, so the best way to avoid that – is to wear less of it.

An excellent option for that concealer is:

Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer

6. Glow up with some bronzer

Bronzer makes your eyes look brighter, your teeth whiter – everyone looks better with a little warmth added to their skin and that’s exactly hat we want to be for those all important family snapshots.

To keep the results looking fresh and natural, we recommend applying bronzer just to the high points of your face, where the sun naturally hits you: your forehead, cheekbones, chin and nose. (Covering every nook and cranny is what gives you that fake, baked look that’s a major bronzer mistake.)

Look for one that contains varying shades — they’ll blend together for the most authentic-looking results. You can also sweep a little bronzer onto your neck to blend, especially if you have short hair or are wearing a pony­tail.

Tarte Matte Waterproof Bronzer


This lightweight waterproof bronzer delivers just the right amount of a sun-burnished glow and doubles as an easy contouring powder. Infused with natural, skin-softening mineral pigments, this matte bronzer helps improve skin’s texture, tone, and clarity all day long while withstanding humidity and moisture.

7. Skip the shimmer

Everyone loves a nice dewy glow, but there’s a big difference between a healthy radiance and an over-the-top shine. Avoid cream foundations or anything too luminous, as the humidity will make you extra shiny and sweaty-looking if you have too much sparkle on your skin.

8. Give your shadow staying power

For longer-lasting eyeshadow, avoid using eye cream on your lids (it can break down makeup), and smooth on an eye primer instead. It will minimize creasing and create a base for the shadow to cling to so it lasts longer.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion



A little goes a long way! Apply just a touch of this eyelid primer before your eye makeup for long-lasting, crease-free eyeshadow. Use the flocked wand applicator for precise, controlled application every time.

9. Ditch the powder blush

Blush adds balance and healthiness to any look, but if you’re still using the same powdery formula, your flush might be getting cake-y faster than it takes to get to the parks for early entry in the morning. Stains are great for longevity in hot weather. Use a gel or blush stain, then blend a touch of a cream blush on top of it.

Maybelline Cheek Heat

Create a sheer flush of color Instantly with this oil-free, water-based formula that glides onto the skin leaving behind a soft natural-looking dewy finish.

10. Eliminate shine

A slick T-zone instantly telegraphs “I’m hot” – and not in a good way. To eliminate unsightly shine in seconds, nothing beats blotting papers. If you need to perk up your makeup too – blot first.

Clean & Clear – Oil Absorbing Sheets

These blotting papers designed for daily on-the-go touch ups that will remove shine but won’t smudge or ruin makeup.

11. Swap heavy lipsticks for lip stains

Toss your heavy matte lipsticks while at the parks and try the latest simplest trend: lip stains. These long-lasting formulas offer sheer coverage that can be built up, making them super versatile.

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Epic Ink Liquid Lip Dye

A stroke of Epic Ink Lip Dye coats lips with a downright dramatic stain. Super-saturated and lightweight, and the formula dries to a matte finish.

12. Use waterproof versions of your favorite products

Love those water rides? Love a day in the Water Parks? Wondering if the afternoon rain is going to catch you in the open? Don’t worry about getting raccoon eyes – there are lots of amazing long-wear makeup products out there these days.

Benefit Roller Liner – Liquid Eyeliner

This matte liquid eyeliner features an easy-glide precision felt tip for sharp, controlled lines and a super-smooth application that won’t drag.

Maybelline New York Great Lash Waterproof Mascara

Lash-doubling hypoallergenic formula that glides on smoothly to create great-looking voluminous lashes that last all day.

13. Always finish with a setting spray

The final step in getting your makeup to last all day and night is to spritz on a makeup setting spray to seal in your look. This step is IMPERITIVE to keeping your look fresh all day.

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Setting Spray

A park commando favorite, sure to make any list of musts, NYX makeup setting sprays are lightweight and comfortable while working hard to make sure your makeup stays put.

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