While we clutch on to our lattes and scarves for warmth, Queen Camilla is enjoying the warmth of the Caribbean on a royal tour of Antigua and Barbuda (no, we’re not envious…). That said, even winter sun comes with its challenges, and a royal title is no shield from the humidity.
Yesterday, during their visit to Antigua, Camilla and King Charles found themselves battling the elements. Camilla’s hair was put to the test by the combination of humidity and tropical rainfall, although she did seek shelter under an umbrella. Her makeup, though, held up beautifully, looking fresh and glowing despite the unpredictable weather.
Even with a bit of frizz, Her Majesty looked incredible. Her signature blonde, flicky curls managed to survive the worst of the downpour. Meanwhile, her skin looked luminous, with a soft pink blush swept across her cheeks. Her mascara didn’t budge, either, leaving her lashes looking dark and fluttery. The look was finished with her classic glossy pink lip, a shade that completely lifts the complexion.
We’re not sure our hair would have fared quite so well, either, which begs the question: how can you make your hair and makeup last when the weather’s against you?
How to frizz-proof your hair
When the air’s damp, your hair’s likely to suffer, according to renowned hairdresser (and husband to Davina McCall), Michael Douglas.
‘As soon as moisture hits the atmosphere, everybody's hair’s in trouble,’ he says. Ideally, you should go for a hairstyle that’s unaffected by the weather. Sleek ponytails, ballerina buns and French braids are among his recommended options. But, if, like Camilla, you don’t have the length to do those, it’s worth looking at your haircare routine.
‘Creating a barrier between the hair and the moisture is the answer,’ says Michael. Here, he says there’s one key ingredient worth knowing: polysilicone-29.
It might sound technical, but Michael explains it simply: ‘It’s a silicone that hardens on to the hair and creates a kind of water-resistant layer. As far as I’m aware, there’s nothing else out there that can do that.’
In fact, you might already be familiar. It’s a key ingredient in Color Wow’s Dream Coat, but it also features Michael’s own haircare range, The Numbers, in The 7.
mdlondon The 7 - The Humidity Shield
The polysilicone-29 in the formula is activated by heat, so Michael recommends applying it to damp hair, then blow-drying to seal your hair from humidity and frizz. Simple.
How to make your makeup humidity-proof
Camilla seems to already have this part locked down, and according to our little black book of MUAs, it all comes down to a few clever tricks. It’s worth bearing in mind if you’re lucky enough to be planning a winter sun getaway.
‘The secret to an all-day look isn’t baking your face in heavy formulas, it’s about layering,’ says top makeup artist and brand founder Ruby Hammer. ‘Lightweight, high-performance textures that move with the skin are your best friend.’
‘First off, you want to step away from heavy, full-coverage foundations, as they can separate and look patchy in the humidity,’ she says. ‘Opt for lightweight skin tints or CC creams, then spot-conceal.’
While we can’t be sure of Camilla’s holy grail products, Ruby has a few favourites in her kit. She recommends Armani Luminous Silk Skin Tint Foundation or Erborian CC Crème, applied in light layers. For concealer, she says NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer works a dream.
When it comes to concealer, Ruby says you want to use a pinpoint technique. ‘Step back from the mirror and actually assess where needs a little extra help,’ she says. ‘Take a tiny precise brush and apply a high-pigment concealer only where you need to.’
‘Tap in, don’t rub!,’ she adds. ‘Never rub your product in, you will just be shifting the makeup around your face. You want to use the warmth of your ring finger to gently tap and press the product directly into place, and the edges will melt into your base.’
When it comes to cheeks and eyes, Ruby says cream formulas reign supreme. ‘A cream blends into the skin for a flush that lasts through sweat. Swap powder shadows for long-wear cream shadow sticks, and choose cheek colour creams over heavy powders,’ she says.
Of course, no makeup look feels quite complete without a good lashing of mascara. According to Ruby, as long as you choose the right formula, there’s no need to skip this step, even in the heat. ‘If you find your mascara smudges in the heat, opt for a tubing formulation,’ she suggests. ‘The formula will wrap around the lashes until you’re ready to take it off.’ Here, she recommends her own: the Ruby Hammer Mascara & Brow Duo.
So, if you’re also planning a winter sun escape, it pays off to plan ahead and get your weatherproof routine sorted.
