Here’s the thing. I’m not leaving the house with a completely bare face.
After much trial and error, I have found a few products that work well for me — my bare necessities. It’s a “barely-there” look, but it’s one I can count on to NOT melt, run, or smudge.
Of course, it all starts with my SPF 50. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is my ultimate favorite. It feels light, never burns my skin, and never makes me break out. This is EXCELLENT, beach-worthy protection. There is a little bit of a white cast to my skin, but it works so well that I’m OK with it.
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Update: June 2019
This amazing sunscreen now comes in a tinted version! With just a hint of color, you get SPF and makeup all in one!
This evens out skin tone and minimizes imperfections beautifully. Add a little BB cream to trouble spots if you need to. I really love this light coverage at the pool.
Lip and Cheek tints are a must-have for me if I’m headed to the pool. These have serious staying power! They won’t look greasy or melt like cream blush and lipstick – AND – they won’t wash away as easily as powder blush.
My favorite is Posie Tint from Benefit. Don’t be afraid of these colors. I know they look bright, but they apply sheer and look very natural.
These are liquids, so they work like stains. They can’t melt off or immediately wash off in the pool.
Experiment with these, they might take a little getting used to — but they’re worth it. Start SLOW and build color. I don’t paint them directly onto my cheeks, I get some color on my fingertips and then apply on cheeks.
For lips I use the brush or wand. Blend it around on your lips with a cotton swab, lip brush or your finger tip. Top your lips with an SPF balm and you’re all set!
Another great cheek tint is Bare With Me from NYX Cosmetics. It’s an easy tint to work with. It delivers long-lasting color and a bump of hydration, which you might just need on a hot day.
For me, waterproof mascaras are never as waterproof as they claim. and I can’t count the number of women I’ve seen at the pool with raccoon eyes who have no idea. My theory is that all the SPF, water and sweat break down even waterproof formulas.
I also hate removing waterproof mascara. It’s a mess! It won’t come off and I feel like I damage my lashes in the removal process. Enter Covergirl Natural Lash!
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Think of it like lash hairspray. I curl my lashes and this keeps them in place.
It’s clear mascara, so it CAN’T flake or smudge. It rinses off when I go underwater, so I keep a tube in my pool bag in case I want to reapply. No, it’s not a dramatic look, but I think it’s a better look than raccoon eyes. It washes right off, so no worries about lash loss during removal. And after 40, every lash is precious!
Another item I keep in my pool bag is Mineral Fusion Dust On Sun Defense SPF 30. It decreases shine, freshens my look, and adds a little more protection from the sun.
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This is just enough makeup to keep me from looking like I’m ill. You know, to keep people from asking me if I’m feeling OK.
Nope, I don’t want a bare face at the pool..
I want my bare necessities.
UPDATE AUGUST 2, 2019
So I’ve told you about my “No Makeup” or minimal makeup look for the pool, but what about those times when you want to wear more?
Maybe you want a bolder look for the pool party…
Cargo Cosmetics has you covered with their Swimmables line!
Swimmables are made to be water resistant! As PR Samples for consideration for review, Cargo sent me a few items to try, and I’m giving them a thumbs up! These LAST, even when wet…
From the Cargo Cosmetics Swimmables line, I tried the foundation, lip liner, lip color, eye liner, and eye shadow.
Shop the Cargo Cosmetics Eye Shadows on Amazon
I’d like to take a moment to talk to those of you with droopy, hooded eyelids, like me. Because my lids are so very hooded, eyeliner from my top lashline transfers to the hanging-down, hooded part of my lid. My eyeliner endsup on my upper lid, OVER my whole eye. That’s nowhere near where eyeliner should go.
The Swimmable eyeliner stays put!
Because of its staying power, this liner doesn’t transfer or smudge to my lid. It’s made for the pool, but I wear it any time I need my makeup to have some serious staying power.
The Swimmables lip liner and matte liquid lipstick are amazing, too. These too are great for the pool, but perfect for when you need your lipstick to last without touching up.
I needed very little of the the long-wear foundation to achieve the coverage I like. It’s more of a matte finish, and it offers buildable coverage.
These are great for the gym. Or if you’re a sweater. My point is, Cargo Swimmables aren’t just great for the pool, they’re great for any time you need makeup to last.
