Waterproof Makeup? Can you do it?
Before Swimming / After Swimming
Waterproof Your Makeup: The Temptalia Experiment
It’s nearly summer, and temperatures are heating up everywhere. It’s becoming time to shed those pants, pop on a swimsuit, and head out to the pool/lake/beach. Or maybe it’s time to sweat a whole lot while doing something outdoor-sy. And if you live in Florida, maybe just going from your house to your mailbox. (Ha!) So, here at Temptalia, I tried to think of how would I make my makeup withstand moderate amounts of water and summer-related-abuse.
So what’s the verdict?
Phase I: In the photo above, we have our test subjects. Row 1 and Row 2 are identical, but Row 2 will be sprayed with Kroylan’s DermaColor Fixing Spray. Fixing Spray is a product that is meant to help set makeup and make it water resistant, sweat resistant, etc. It basically is designed to beef up your makeup and force it to become longwearing. Each row has Soft Ochre paint pot by itself, Soft Ochre paint pot with Freshwater eyeshadow on top, Maidenchant blushcreme, and Maidenchant blushcreme with Don’t Be Shy [powder] blush on top. The second photo is all about pigments and their lasting power under water conditions. The first is Mutiny pigment alone (and dry), then Mutiny pigment with mixing medium, and finally Mutiny pigment with mixing medium and Kryolan DermaColor Fixing Spray.
Phase II: After being held under a showerhead on full blast on hot, plus a minute under a hot faucet, these are the results. Soft Ochre paint pot holds up nicely by itself or with the Fixing Spray. You can see that Freshwater on top, though, has faded slightly after being waterlogged. Paint pots are supposed to be water-resistant, and it just goes to show… it’s true. The blushcreme faired so-so, there is some fading in both it applied alone as well as with the powder blush without the fixing spray. The pigments, however, did not fair very well under the water without the Fixing Spray.
Phase III: This is the toughest test. See, while it’s all well and good that these can withstand waterflow on top of them, what about some rubbing? What about a little more abuse? I rubbed my thumb across each row of color with about 6-7 passes, and these are the results. The entire first row faded noticeably, and they definitely smeared into each other, too. The second row has no real damage to it. Fixing Spray does create a protective film/layer, so you can get some flakes if you rub hard enough. In the pigment row, you’ll notice that vigorous rubbing has caused the pigment to crack a bit, despite having Fixing Spray over it.
Conclusion | Although, wearing no makeup is always ideal, sometimes we want to, sometimes we feel we need to, and other times we just didn’t plan on getting wet or sweaty when we do! I think this experiment shows that the well-chosen base, coupled with layering, is always a safe route to go. For those who need extra waterproofing or resistance, a setting or fixing spray like DermaColor Fixing Spray, is definitely something consider.
Interesting experiment, Christine! I’m surprised the paint pot held up so well under hot water!
About this kryolan stuff.. is it easy to concentrate the spray on a small area, or do you end up with a protective film all over the general vicinity of whatever area you spray it on? I can’t imagine I’d like a sticky film on my face if I only wanted my eye makeup to hang on. lol
Me too! I didn’t remember it was water-resistant, but yep, it is.
But no, it’s a big aeorsol can, so it’s not easy to concentrate it on areas. Make Up Forever does make an eye seal, though, as does Benefit (She-Laq), and they work in a similar way, so you could probably use those!
That is very helpful. Do you have any idea how I can get my eyeshadow to stop disappering? My eye lids don’t sweat, but they do tend to get a bit oily during the day, and that makes the shadow come off. I tried not putting cream on my eyelids, but if I don’t my eyelids flake so bad it’s not even funny.
Happy to help, Nicole! Are you using a base like a paint pot or UDPP? That’s the first question!
Hi Christine,
I use paint pots as a base. Even with those, it comes off by mid day, especially right around the crease and it drives me nuts.
Hey Nicole! Maybe you’re using too much or you’re not letting it dry fully before applying shadows on top of it?
My friends never know what to think because I go to the gym in full makeup, and walk out with my eye makeup and concealer still looking like I just applied them… it’s all about a good base. That’s not under water directly, but it is a pretty sweaty venture. I usually don’t apply foundation/blush until AFTER gym time. 😀
Yep! A good base will get your makeup through a war!
Wow, you were right about this issue happening in Florida,lol! Where can you get this Kryolan? I have never heard of it before. What I have used is Fashion Fair’s setting powder. This is a setting powder that is supposed to make your makeup water and sweat resistant. I discovered it from a friend who used it when she went out to the club and hated that her make up melted. It definately works, but I don’t want to use it on a everyday basis.
Hey Tammy!
I know you can place phone orders or call them to find out if you have a local retailer near you. Kanebo has a powder that they just put out that’s translucent and water-resistant and all that, too.
Christine, where can i buy this fixing spray?
Hey Betty!
Just type in “kryolan dermacolor fixing spray” and you’ll see some online retailers that sell it. It’s about $20.
Ugh, can you please delete my previous comment, I didn’t know that my full name was in the name box.
This is so exciting lol
I’m definitely going to invest in some of this fixing spray. I found it here: http://www.danceshopper.com/permanent-make-up.Kryolan_DERMACOLOR_FIXING_SPRAY_72290
I also saw it on a lot of other theatre and dance sites. I guess that makes sense that it’s perfect for actors and dancers under those hot lights and sweating.
Done, Nenne!!
Thanks for this interesting article Christine!
My pleasure! It was fun to do!
What a great post! It’s so nice to learn about some ways to wear makeup even in extreme humidity. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks, Jamie! 🙂 No problem!
wow!! this is pretty nifty!! 🙂
I know, right? Who knew 😉
phew, i didn’t know i’ve been waterproofing my shadows by using paint pots!
GREAT EXPERIMENT, CHRISTINE!
Haha 😉 Knowledge is power!
Hey. This was something I have been thinking about for a bit now…so thanks 😀
I do have a question, however. How safe is this for your skin? Esp. for sensitive skin, etc.
Hey Fatima! To be honest, I couldn’t tell you. I imagine it has plenty ‘o chemicals to get its effect. My skin didn’t have any problems with it, and it is designed to be sprayed on the skin.
Wow, thanks so much for doing this! I def want that spray now! Btw I really hope that YOU don’t wear makeup to the pool bc you’re wayyyyyy too gorgeous to always be covered in makeup!!
No problem, Vivien! LOL, not typically, but a lot of times, I don’t get my head under water (I don’t like to, lol), so I might anyway.
This is so cool! It will definitely come in useful for going to the pool/beach this summer. 🙂 Do you think the Kryolan fixing spray would work on mascara? Like, do you think you could spray it on a clean mascara wand and go over your regular mascara with it?
On the other hand, do you know of a good WATERPROOF (think 2 hours in the pool) mascara, or a particular mascara sealer?
Oh gosh, I probably won’t, just because it dries pretty quick. I think you’re better off finding a clear, waterproof mascara!
Full ‘N Soft (Waterproof) by Maybelline works fine for me!
I just learned something very useful today! thanks soo much!
Happy to share, Janice 🙂
Thanks for this awesome post! Just wondering if this will keep on my face and/or eye makeup throughout the day without the water? UDPP creases on me and i was thinking maybe this along with UDPP would keep in on?
I’m not sure 🙁 It works for humidity in general but I’m not sure if it would combat creasing.