Waterproof make-up

Foundation: Kat Von D Lock It Tattoo Foundation (Dh175, Sephora.ae) This foundation has a thick formula and offers full coverage, so it may be too much for the beach if you prefer a more natural look – but it would be ideal for a pool party or night out on a warm UAE evening. I tested its staying power by applying just before a shower and allowing the water to run over my face for a few minutes – and sure enough, it held fast. A few areas needed to be smoothed over afterwards (such as around the nose and under eyes, where it mottled a little under the water) – but that took a matter of seconds and the coverage was once again perfect. Overall, a very impressive result – and a great investment for a sticky UAE summer. Mascara: Maybelline Colossal Volume Express Mascara Waterproof (Dh65) The formula of this mascara gave long, fluttery lashes without any clumps. I applied it before heading to the pool, testing its waterproof power by dunking under the water several times. I emerged without any streaking or running, which was a good result. Lashes didn’t look quite as long and fluttery after getting wet, but that’s a small price to pay to be reassured you won’t be left with streaky eyes if you are hit by a wave in the sea or decide to take a dip in the pool. Eyeliner: Deborah Eye 2 in 1 Gel Kajal & Eyeliner (Dh42, Lifestyleshops.com) Kohl eyeliner is an easy way to add some glamour to a beach look without wearing too much make-up – but it can be hard avoiding a panda-eye look when you go swimming or the weather suddenly heats up. That’s why we were so impressed with this affordable kohl eyeliner, which held fast during a long shower without a single streak. In fact, the line under my lashes was just as perfect after the shower as it was before. Be prepared for it to take a while to remove at the end of the day, however, as it doesn’t budge easily. Brow Pencil: Sephora Retractable Brow Pencil Waterproof (Dh59) This slim, precision pencil makes defining brows easy, whilst the result is very natural. I applied it in the morning and carried on with my day, taking a shower mid-afternoon and then studying my brows in the mirror to see how well it had held up under the water. A few areas looked a tiny bit faded, but I was impressed with the result overall. Adding a product like this to your make-up bag means you can define your brows in the morning and feel confident they will be defined all day long – even on the sweatiest days of a UAE summer. It’s a good price, too. Eyeshadow: The Balm Batter Up Long-Wearing Eyeshadow Stick (Dh64, Glamazle.com) This easy-to-apply eyeshadow stick has a creamy, blendable texture and looks great on lids. I wore it on the beach for a whole morning and it fared very well against sweat and seawater. After a shower at home, it was still visible but needed a quick smooth-over with a finger to even up the application. I was impressed, as eyeshadows doesn’t generally stick around for long – and with such easy and transportable packaging in the form of the stick, you could throw it into your bag easily for reapplications on the go.