As things slowly return to normal, face masks look set to become part of our lives for the foreseeable future.
While we know wearing them is in our best interests, sometimes they can seem like a bit of a hindrance – especially when it comes to putting on make-up. While we will be saving money on lipstick, much of our foundation and other products will end up on the inside of a piece of fabric.
The good news is, we can shift the focus to our eyes, instead.
We ask British celebrity make-up artist Emma White Turle for her tips on making the most of your make-up when half of your face is covered.
Look after your skin
Summer in the UAE can be notoriously tough on skin, with the high temperatures and humidity creating prime breeding ground for breakouts. So be sure to make time every morning to properly tend to your skin.
Firstly, use a scrub to exfoliate. Try Huda Beauty's Wishful scrub, as it is lightweight enough to use every day and is packed with pineapple and papaya enzymes, beta hydroxy acids and alpha hydroxy acids to thoroughly clean and exfoliate your skin. While using these acids, however, be sure to use a good SPF, as they can also leave skin more exposed to sun damage.
If you prefer something more vigorous, there's an easy home-made version you can try. Combine a tablespoon each of baking soda and fresh lemon juice, and half a tablespoon of honey. Mix this into a paste, and rub into the skin with light circular motions. The baking soda will exfoliate, the lemon juice is a natural cleanser to help empty pores and the honey is a great moisturiser. Use twice a week.
Coffee drinkers can benefit from another DIY fix. Make a paste of wet coffee grounds and gently pat under the eyes to help boost circulation and stave off under-eye bags. Leave for a few minutes and then wash off.
Mix a little foundation into your moisturiser
A full face of foundation, concealer and powder can be too heavy in the summer months and can risk clogging your pores, causing breakouts. Instead, try mixing a few drops of your favourite foundation into your daily moisturiser for a fresher look. For those who like slightly more coverage, try adding Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, as the thicker formula will give you a more smoothing effect. If it still feels too light, use a little concealer around the trouble spots, such as under the eyes and around the nose.
Make the most of your eyebrows
"Eyebrows frame the face, however, they should not be the first thing someone notices," says Turle. The Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil is perfect for filling in any gaps and adding some naturally defined shape to your brows.
You can then brush through Arch Brow Volumising Gel to add fullness to the natural hair that is there. To gain extra fullness, Turle recommends rubbing the gel through in the reverse direction of hair growth, and then rubbing it across in the direction growth, to really create some beautiful, full, fluffy eyebrows.
Use cream eyeshadow sticks
Cream eyeshadow sticks are quick and simple to use, and best of all, will stay put in the heat. They can be used either as a liner or as an eyeshadow. Try Sisley Phyto Eye Twists and also Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Sticks, as both are easy to use and will stay all day long.
"Draw along your lash line, from the inner corner out," Turle suggests. "Leave it like this if you want a solid liner, or using your ring finger or a blending brush, buff the product up your eye lid to the socket line. This gives a lovely soft blend of colour."
Use an eyebrow pencil to cover blemishes
This may sound crazy, but once you have given your brows the once over, if you have one or two small pimples or red marks on your face, a light dab with an eyebrow pencil will turn these into freckles, instead. This only works with a light hand, so go easy. The result should be lightly sun-kissed, not Marie Antoinette.
Wear lipstick as blusher
Do you miss wearing lipstick? Then try this handy go-to trick that is popular with fashionable French women and use it as blusher, instead. Almost any shade of lipstick will work for this, including bright red. With your fingers, lightly blot the end of the lipstick, and then lightly dab on the apple of each cheek.
Using your fingertips (the heat of your skin will soften the lipstick, making it easier to work with, Turle explains) blend it across the top of your cheek. For an extra sun-kissed look, dot a very small amount of the lipstick on the bridge of your nose and blend to give a "just been out in the sun" look. This little trick will work with contour sticks, bronzers and blusher powders, too.
Curl your eyelashes
Finally, with a mask on, all the attention moves to the eyes, so even if you are blessed with dark and glossy lashes, don’t forget to curl them to really open the eye up. "Making the most of your eyes does not have to be complicated and there are a few things I’d do to enhance them easily and quickly," Turle explains.
For a natural look, a sweep of eyebrow gel will thicken the lashes, while those with fine or fair lashes can add a quick layer of mascara. Spidery, double lashes are very on trend right now, so why not experiment? You may find that different things work when half the face is covered.
"Eyelash curlers are great at widening the eyes and I think Surratt makes an exceptional pair," says Turle. "They are less curved than some of those on the market. They are so much easier to use and do not catch your eyelid. Once curled, apply a double coat of mascara. I think the Chanel Revolution mascara is brilliant at adding volume and length to your lashes and it doesn’t smudge or melt off."
To get the all-important extra volume, Turle says technique is key. "Wiggle the brush down to the base of your lashes when you apply it so you get an intense density to your lashes. This will also help your curl stay in."
