Wearing ordinary make-up when you are on the beach is not recommended, unless you want to look like the Bride of Dracula after a swim. However, cosmetics companies have launched excellent stay-put mascara formulas and water-resistant (not waterproof) eyeshadows. Some have even come up with waterproof and sand-proof hair gel, which seem very imaginative from a marketing point of view. Although wearing waterproof mascara on lashes and brows (choose the palest shade you can find for brows) is worth doing, the remaining contents of your make-up bag are best left for the evening.
Foundation does not offer enough protection for strong ultraviolet light. Even if the product claims an SPF15 protection, you are unlikely to put it on thickly enough to cover the skin completely. Likewise, blusher that claims to offer sun protection will do next to nothing, unless you wear it all over your face. However, if you are not intent on sunbathing and do want to wear some colour on your face, use a tinted moisturizer that contains sunscreen. Unless your skin is chalk-dry, choose an oil-free formula. Many clever new tinted moisturizers contain microsponges, which help absorb excess oil. An oil-free water-based sheer foundation is another alternative. Once it is applied to the skin, the water in the formula evaporates, giving an instant cooling sensation and leaving the skin shine-free.
If you must wear lip colour on the beach, choose a non-transfer formulas is that they tend to be drying, but slicking some ultraviolet-screening lip balm over the colour will remedy this. A less long-lasting choice is a natural coloured lip gloss that also offers sun protection.
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