Wearing makeup in our 35-degree heat (which feels more like 39 degrees Celsius these days) means things get sticky, sweaty, and uncomfortable – fast.
That’s why long-wearing makeup that can withstand sweat and humidity are essential to surviving Singapore’s tropical weather. A lightweight foundation is usually recommended to prevent makeup from melting in the heat and settling into fine lines. However it might not provide enough coverage to conceal pigmentation or smooth pores. On the other hand, thicker foundations can end up looking cakey and dry.
It’s a Goldilocks conundrum to get a foundation that’s “just right” – one that’s not too heavy, is hydrating and provides adequate coverage.
Smashbox’s Always On Skin-Balancing Foundation may be just the product. The new foundation by the Los Angeles brand is described as “an innovative longwearing foundation with skin-balancing oil control and hydration that supports skin instantly and over time, buildable coverage for a visibly even, natural look, and 16-hour, colour-true wear.”
Among the key ingredients are hyaluronic acid to provide instant and 24-hour hydration; adaptogens licorice root and sea asparagus) to balance levels of oil and hydration; sugar kelp to control oil; and antioxidants to help protect skin from environmental aggressors like pollution and blue light.
Also new is the Halo Healthy Glow 4-In-1 Perfecting Pen. Like the foundation, the concealer is water-, sweat-, and humidity- resistant, and has skin-loving ingredients including hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, green tea, and ginseng. The primer-infused clickable pen can easily conceal, highlight, contour, and correct and is said to withstand caking and creasing. It is appropriate for all skin types, non-comedogenic, vegan, and cruelty-free.
The fusion of makeup and skincare sounds like a win.
The test
Can the products take the heat? After wearing them in one of the warmest weeks in March, I’d say they mostly do.
Always On Skin-Balancing Foundation has 30 inclusive shades for all skin tones, and each one is clearly labeled for shade intensity (from Fair to Dark), depth of colour (10, 20, 30) and undertone (C for cool, W for warm, N for neutral and O for olive).
I chose L10W which perfectly matches my skin tone. The foundation is on the runny side but was still easy to apply with both sponge and brush. It provided medium coverage (buildable) on one pump and a natural-looking finish without looking cakey. Most importantly, it did not feel heavy and did not oxidise on my combination skin.
Around the eight-hour mark, it started to wear off with some redness peeking through, and settled into my larger pores. However it did not become patchy (unlike other foundations) and my skin still looked natural and hydrated.
The Healthy Glow 4-In-1 Perfecting Pen was easy to use and very convenient. The lightweight, breathable formula was able to cover up acne scars and deliver a natural, radiant and recharged look.
Smashbox Always On Skin-Balancing Foundation ($69) and Healthy Glow 4-In-1 Perfecting Pen ($45) are available at Sephora.
