Here are some of the thoughts that went through my head during last night's World Cup game between the United States and Portugal: GO U.S.A.! Cristiano Ronaldo is so hot! (Except when he scored that goal in the ninety-fourth minute.) And, girls in the stands, get your face paint under control! OK, I have some sympathy. It was 84 degrees with 70 percent humidity in Manaus, Brazil. But there are things you can do to keep your stars and stripes from running into a star-spangled mess. Plus, the following tips apply to anyone who wants to show their team pride in a place with Amazonian temperatures—including a packed bar in Brooklyn.
Try a primer. A thin layer of oil-free primer will help extend the life of whatever you're wearing on your face, whether it's foundation, concealer, or brightly colored face paints. Just avoid primers that say "hydrating" or "anti-aging." These formulas usually containing extra moisturizing ingredients that will get greasy when you start to overheat. Try Givenchy Mister Mat Mattifying Foundation Primer or L'Oréal Paris Magic Perfecting Base.
Graduate from drugstore face paints. You know the ones I'm talking about—they come in a box with Frankenstein on the front, although you could never actually re-create that look with the products inside. Instead, pick up professional-grade makeup paints from brands like Kryolan, M.A.C., or Ben Nye or heavy-hitting waterproof eye shadows from Make Up For Ever or Maybelline (those Color Tattoo shadows don't freakin' budge—I'm serious). If I were going to Brazil, I'd bring Make Up For Ever's Aqua Creams in red, white, and blue, along with a skinny eyeliner brush and an angled liner brush. They could even go in my carry-on, since they're not liquids!
Set your designs with powder. This is such an important step! Anyone who wears makeup under hot lights sets it with powder—ballet dancers, pop stars, actors on the red carpet. It's the number-one way to absorb oil—like dry shampoo for your face. If you have room in your purse, bring a pressed-powder compact to the game. Makeup artists often send their clients down the red carpet with a prepowdered puff in a ziplock bag so they can blot throughout the night. Choose a translucent formula so you don't mess up your colors. My favorites are Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Powder and Make Up For Ever HD Pressed Powder.
Use a makeup-setting spray. During wedding season, a few members of the Allure staff like Urban Decay Chill Makeup Setting Spray to keep their makeup looking fresh. But if your skin is naturally shiny or prone to acne, stick with powder. "These sprays don't do anything to protect your makeup from the oils your skin produces," says cosmetic chemist Ni'Kita Wilson. They contain the same ingredients that give hair sprays their hold but in very small amounts. (DO NOT use actual hair spray on your face. It's unsafe and won't work on top of certain types of makeup.) "If you use a setting spray before you start sweating, your makeup may look fresh for an extra hour or so," says Wilson. Well, good thing a soccer match only lasts 90 minutes.
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