Meltproof Makeup Secrets From a Dancer

by Sophia Panych, Beauty Editor – Allure

Well, if you didn’t know about my other life as a Ukrainian folk dancer, you will after checking out this piece on Refinery29 about fashion-industry moonlighters. My secret is out!

Dancing is actually how I got into beauty—backstage, you’re forced to do your own hair and makeup. One of the things you quickly have to learn as a dancer is how to keep your makeup in place while sweating under hot lights, or at outdoor shows in the humidity and heat. (In the above photo, I’m dancing in Puerto Rico—in 90 degree weather.)

Here are some of my best tips for stopping your makeup from moving:

Prime your T-zone. A makeup artist once told me to just spot-prime—the majority of women only need primer right along the T-zone. I use a thin layer of Nars Pro-Prime Multi-Protect Primer SPF 30 PA+++ across my forehead, down and around the corners of my nose, and on my chin before laying down my foundation. It makes blush and bronzer go on much more smoothly, and foundation won’t budge where I am oiliest.

Spray thyself. When you start to perspire, foundation often begins to thin out, exposing any blotches and discoloration you were trying to cover in the first place. That’s why makeup artists who work on celebrities for red carpet, award shows, television, or movies always recommend a finishing spray to set your look. The product they (and now, I) swear by? Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray. I mist it all over before going onstage to keep my skin looking fresh.

Take a powder. Obvi, waterproof mascara and liquid liner is a must for any dancer’s or beachgoer’s makeup bag (my faves include Guerlain Le 2 de Guerlain Waterproof Two Brush Mascara 360° Lashes and Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner). A dusting of Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder across the eyelids helps stop shadow from fading away, too. Tip: Tap off any excess before you swipe the brush across your lids and brows—you don’t want it to look cakey or distort the color of your shadow.

Layer, layer, layer. When I dance, I first fill in my lips with a lip pencil (M.A.C. Lip Liner in Brick), then put on my lipstick (M.A.C. Lipstick in Russian Red), and finish with the matching lip gloss. It sounds heavy, which is the opposite of what you usually want in the summer, but if you want something stronger than a stain, this is it. This technique means my lipstick lasts through a two-hour show—or cocktail hour and dinner.

Reprinted From Allure. Read the full article here.