I'm a beauty expert, and this is how to look radiant rather than a hot, sweaty mess in a heatwave

Ever feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice when it comes to looking good in a heatwave? Baffled by bronzer? Battling oily skin? Driven to distraction by concealer?

Well, luckily for you (and me!), the experts have rallied to bring you all the beauty tips you need to survive looking good when the mercury is doing its absolute most.

The first instalment of our brand new franchise, Style Surgery, sees style maverick Karen Williams, beauty expert Adeola Gboyega and our very own Deputy Digital Editor Lauren Ramsay join forces to tackle the big style and beauty conundrums - starting with how to keep your makeup intact when the weather isn't playing ball. 

First on the agenda: stopping your makeup from becoming a full-blown slip'n'slide as temperatures soar. We all love a healthy, summery glow, but there is, as Adeola puts it, "a fine line between looking like a hot, sweaty mess and looking refined and radiant."

So, where to begin? "Reverse engineer it and start with the skin prep," says Adeola. Rather than waiting until the shine is already in full swing, think about what you can do to prevent it in the first place. A really good primer will help prep the skin and create a beautiful base for your makeup."

And don't be afraid of powder. There are so many brilliant formulas designed to work with different skin types and finishes, so reaching for the powder brush doesn't automatically mean signing yourself up for a cakey complexion. 

Then comes the famous final step in your makeup routine: the spray that promises to keep all your hard work exactly where you left it. But did you know there's actually a difference between a setting spray and a fixing spray?

It turns out, they're not simply two names for the same misty little bottle. According to Adeola: "Your setting sprays are almost like skin finishing; they're really good if you want more of a dewier glow."

They're also the ones to reach for if you want to take the edge off a powder-heavy makeup look. "If you're looking to make your makeup more skin-like, go with a setting spray. They're a bit more hydrating; they take away that powdery look and make your makeup look more like skin."

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Fixing sprays, meanwhile, mean business. "If you're looking for a fixing spray, they're the ones that almost look like hairspray. If they're in a can and they're almost aerosol-like, those are your fixing sprays that will lock everything in place." 

So, in very simple terms: setting spray makes your makeup look better while fixing spray makes it stay put. One is your finishing touch, the other is your beauty insurance policy - and in this heatwave, we'll take all the cover we can get. 

If your priority is a fresh, dewy complexion that looks like skin rather than makeup, a setting spray is your best bet. If you've spent time and energy perfecting your base and would rather not watch it slowly migrate down your face by lunchtime, reach for a fixing spray. And if you're wondering the implications of an SPF setting spray - watch the episode to find out! 

The best setting and fixing sprays to shop now...

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