On last night’s debut episode of the latest season of Bachelor in Paradise, contestant Kelsey Weier—you may know her as the girl who had champagne explode in her face on Peter Weber’s season of The Bachelor—shared the hack she’s relying on to keep her makeup in place during the filming of the show in Mexico’s extremely high temperatures.
While talking on camera to Wells Adams, who is cohosting this season and also serving in his usual role as the beach bartender, Weier said, “I sweat so bad on my face, so a makeup artist told me about milk of magnesia—it’s a laxative, yes, and I know it’s weird—but if you put it on your face before your makeup on, it is supposed to make it sweat-proof a little bit.” The two of them laughed, especially at the fact that she has a laxative on her face, but midway through the episode, Weier appeared on camera again, saying she thought the hack was working well.
“Milk of magnesia! Never heard of that one,” says celebrity makeup artist Sandy Linter, who has been in the business for nearly 50 years. “The really funny one that works well is putting Preparation H under your eyes to shrink eye bags! But if I had a client who sweat a lot, I’d use a primer. Dermablend has a good one: the Insta-Grip Jelly Primer ($33). I understand that milk of magnesia would sop up moisture, but I don’t think the application of foundation on top of it would look well.”
Celebrity makeup artist Cara Lovello has seen this trend on YouTube, but says she personally wouldn’t keep milk of magnesia in her kit. “Perhaps, if you have very oily skin, you can give it a try. I recommend using Clarins Beauty Flash Balm ($49), which is one of my favorite primers, and you can wear it on top of makeup as well.”
Two other heavy-duty primers we like, especially for hot, humid weather, are Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer ($32) and Urban Decay All-Nighter Face Primer ($36). And if you really want to lock everything in, finish your makeup routine with a high-powered setting spray like Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Super Setter Pore-Minimizing Setting Spray ($32) that has a 16-hour wear claim. “Setting powder is also key in not sweating off your makeup,” says Lovello. “Try Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($39) or RCMA Makeup No Color Powder ($14).”
