After 15 years of creating makeup looks at salons and fashion shoots, Mary Lilly decided to give up cosmetology for the chance to work at Walt Disney World, and to take any job that would open the door to that dream. Twelve years later, Mary manages cosmetology design and production at Walt Disney World, where she and her team bring new characters to life at Disney theme parks and resorts worldwide.
Turning Disney cast members into Rapunzel or Captain Jack Sparrow may not seem to have much in common with the makeup you and I wear, but the challenges are the same: helping skin stay healthy, and keeping makeup looking and feeling fresh in hot summer weather.
Start with Healthy Skin
Working with young performers, Mary teaches the importance of creating good skin care habits that last a lifetime: getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of water to keep skin hydrated, and using sun protection. "Your skin radiates from the inside out, so a healthy lifestyle goes a long way," she says.
Use sunscreen daily. Mary recommends buying sunscreen in the 30-40 SPF range, and getting in the habit of using it every day. "With sunscreen, the most important thing is consistent use," she says. "Many women don't think about putting sunscreen under makeup, but it works well if you let it dry first. For extra sun protection you can buy moisturizers and foundation that contain sunscreen, but they are not substitutes for the full protection that sunscreen offers."
Cleanse your face at the end of the day. "My mother would wear the same makeup for several days and just touch it up," Mary says, "but I can't stress enough how important it is to remove makeup and sunscreen and to cleanse your pores. Even if you don't wear makeup, a night-time cleansing is important to remove pollution and perspiration from your skin."
There are a variety of makeup removers on the market, including petroleum jelly and baby oil. Mary recommends thoroughly removing eye makeup, then cleansing with your favorite product, whether that's a liquid cleanser or a beauty bar. "Find the cleansing product that works best with your skin type and your budget," Mary advises. "The most important thing is to clean your face every night."
Moisturize in the morning and again at night. To help prevent wrinkles and keep skin radiant, Mary recommends finding a moisturizer you like and using it daily, even if your skin tends to be oily. "Any type of skin can become dehydrated," she explains, "so even people with oily or combination skin need to moisturize. There are great light products on the market that keep moisture in skin without adding oil." The best time to apply moisturizer? "When your skin is still moist from cleaning. That helps to keep moisture in."
Keep Makeup Looking Fresh
Once you've applied sunscreen and a moisturizer, you're ready for foundation. Mary recommends experimenting to find the foundation that's best for your skin type and provides the level of coverage you're looking for.
Always set your makeup with loose powder. "No matter where you live, whether you're creating a look for day or night, loose powder sets your makeup and helps it stay fresh," Mary says. "This is especially important in hot weather. After applying foundation, dip a puff in loose powder that matches your skin tone and lightly pat it all over your face and on your eyelids. Take a clean brush and gently brush off excess powder, being careful not to rub off your makeup, and you're all set."
Many older women hesitate to use loose powder because it can accentuate wrinkles. Mary suggests blotting the powder with a slightly damp cloth to remove the powdery look without losing the makeup-setting qualities.
Don't overlook your eyebrows. Brows frame your eyes; make sure yours are well-shaped. To add color or definition, Mary suggests using a fine brush to a light touch of eye shadow in a shade that matches your hair. Waxy pencils tend to look harsh.
Blot oil and perspiration during the day. If you start looking shiny during the day, Mary recommends using blotting tissues to remove oil and perspiration, followed by a light touch-up with a compact. "If you add powder to a shiny face, you get blotchy results," she says.
Consider a makeup sealer. For Disney cast members—and anyone who spends hours in the hot sun—Mary recommends using a makeup sealer, which you can find online. "We use them all the time," she says. "Once your makeup is done, close your eyes and gently mist the sealer on. It's very refreshing and it will help your makeup stay in place longer."
Eye makeup for hot weather. Mary prefers powder eye shadows rather than creams, which tend to run. "I put foundation on the eyelids and that acts as a primer, then eye shadow, and I seal it with loose powder. It does not crease during the day."
Eye pencil lasts better than liquid liner. And if you use eye shadow, choose a color that blends with your pencil. The powder shadow will help to set the liner.
Waterproof mascara is best for summer. "Waterproof mascaras are more challenging to remove, but they hold up better in hot weather," Mary says. "Make sure you thoroughly remove your mascara before moving on to your regular cleansing routine."
Keep makeup clean. Start your moisturizing and makeup routines with a clean face and clean hands to avoid adding bacteria to your cosmetics. For mascara, use what's on your wand once and put the container away—don't keep pumping it to get more mascara on the wand.
For Summer, Less Is More
The secret to summer beauty is using a light touch with cosmetics that look natural and work with your skin type and coloring. "Avoid heavy products that have a tendency to slip off your face," Mary says. "There are great liquid foundations, mousses, and tinted moisturizers that enhance your skin tone and create a naturally beautiful look."
For eye makeup, Mary prefers earth tones for a natural look, but colored eye shadow is fine if you use a light touch. "Women like to play with color and a slight amount of color isn't bad," she says, "but the most important thing about eye shadow is that you're adding definition and dimension to the eye."
Expensive Doesn't Mean Better
After years of working in the beauty industry, Mary has learned firsthand that expensive beauty products can be a waste of money. "There's no need to pay for expensive packaging and advertising when the tried-and true products work just fine and are much more affordable," she says. "Often manufacturers put the same product into a variety of packages, so only the price is different.
"The best advice I can give you is to buy what works for your skin type," Mary says. "When products are more affordable, you can experiment with different types of cleansers and makeup without breaking your budget."
Enhance Your Natural Beauty
For Mary Lilly, the keys to summer beauty are a consistent cleansing routine, daily sunscreen use and a light touch with cosmetics. "Makeup should add dimension, highlight your best features and downplay your flaws—which we all have," she says. "It's all about bringing out the best in you."
Sharon O'Brien is a freelance writer in Portland, Oregon.
Share This Thread On Social Media: