I didn’t really learn to use makeup till I was in my 30s. I’m still learning, and it’s wonderful when the lessons I pick up actually work.

We were invited to a wedding early in June. It was a garden wedding, and the weather was hot and humid one moment, windy and rainy the next.

I planned my outfit weeks ago: a scarf styled as a backless halter top, and a long black skirt. I figured that would help keep me cool. My problem, though, was makeup. What could I do to make sure it didn’t melt before we even got to the venue?

I started with my usual morning skincare routine. Right now that’s (in this order):

• Human Nature Nourishing Facial Wash
• Human Nature Nourishing Toner
• Body Shop Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution
• SKIN GENIE Blindspot Healing Stick for my dark spots
• The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
• Vaseline Petroleum Jelly on my lips
•  CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
• CosRX Oil-free Moisturizing Lotion

Normally I use  Maybelline Super BB Super Cover (SPF 50), but this time I decided on Biore UV Perfect Bright Milk (SPF 50), followed by Celeteque 24-hour Photoready Liquid Foundation in Natural.

Despite the air-conditioning, I was already sweating. I could see the foundation streaking. So I took an oval brush and spritzed it with a bit of water, then buffed the sweaty spots–my temples, my upper lip, around my nose.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjqLTiRgimy/?tagged=ovalbrush

That seemed to work!

Next, I worked on my eyebrows with Innisfree Auto Eyebrow Pencil. I really need to learn to do this properly, so that I have better shape and definition. For now I just fill them in.

I like using lip and cheek tint on my face now, because it lasts all day. I use Skin Genie Lip and Cheek Stain Alive in Creamy Peach. I find it hard to apply precise shapes and strokes though, so I just dabbed some on the apples of my cheeks, just to make sure I would still have some color on my face even if I sweat everything off. I also do this before applying face powder, so it sticks to my skin better. It absorbs quickly too.

I patted some powder on my face (Maybelline Fit Me Matte Poreless Powder in Natural Buff). I also used some Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Medium to cover up my dark spots and red zits. I’m so happy I figured out how to use this! I dab some on the spots, and let it dry for a little bit. Then I pat it gently–not blend!–with my fingertips, until it looks like the rest of my skin.

I was worried about being shiny and the powder just vanishing with my sweat, so I tried a trick I read about: spritzing your face after each makeup step. I had some Skin Revolution Tea Tree Water facial mist, so I sprayed some on and waited for the mist to dry on my skin.

Then I applied my eyeshadow (Ever Bilena eyeshadow palette in Brown) and some more blush (Maybelline Color Show Blush in Creamy Cinnamon). Then I spritzed again!

Next I applied some eyeliner. So many friends recommended Nichido, so I bought their 24 Hr Tattoo Effect Eyeliner Pen, and wow that stuff is awesome. I still haven’t mastered the perfect cat eye, but I’ll get there!

And then I applied two coats of Celeteque 24-hour Volumizer Mascara.

For my lips, I’m loving Revlon Balm Stain in Crush (005) because it’s moisturizing and it’s so vibrant!

Then I topped it off with my other favorite, Colourpop Ultra Matte liquid lipstick in Bad Habit.

I think I could learn a lot more about contouring and eye makeup, but I think I put together a good face!

It was 3:45 PM when we left the house. It was almost 5:00 PM when we arrived. The ceremony started at nearly 6:00 PM (I think).

The reception started around 8:00 PM.

When we got home at midnight, my eyeliner had smudged a teeny bit, but the rest of my face was intact! No streaks, no smudge, no shine. I was so happy that I almost didn’t want to wipe it all off.