I was in and out of the drive-through for a certain burger brand (annual pilgrimage) when a girl walked past with legs taller than the Empire State BuiIding.
The irony of being in line for a burger that I didn’t need and seeing these legs that I will never have was not wasted on me.
What I did think about later, was how leg and body makeup has come such a long day, even from when I was younger, starting out in makeup, and also performing in dance competitions as a kid.
We used to get fake tan slathered on our arms and legs, and the smell is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life!
Nowadays, the entire leg makeup experience has come a long way, and is far more user-friendly, effective, and indeed, waterproof. So let’s take a look at waterproof leg makeup and what it can do for you. And why you need it NOW!
Understanding What Leg Makeup Can Do For You
Are you ready for your very own pair of flawless, runway-ready legs?
Whether you’re looking to cover imperfections, enhance or depending on your own skin tone, simply add a touch of glamour, leg makeup can be your secret confidence booster and help you get your pins out for summer.
In this guide I threw together for you, I’ll unveil the top leg makeup products that promise to deliver impeccable results. From concealers to bronzers and everything in between, I’ve got you covered for achieving stunning legs that snatch that spotlight.
What Makes Leg Makeup Important?
Leg makeup can serve you several isolutions and this can make it a brilliant product to throw into your summer routine:
1. Enhance Your Appearance
Leg makeup can help create a more polished and uniform appearance for you by covering those imperfections like scars, bruises, veins, or uneven skin tone. It’ can provide’ll give you a smooth, flawless canvas, and your leggies a more attractive and groomed look, as well as radiant skin all over.
2. Confidence Booster
Do you leave the house without your face makeup on very often? I’ll wager a guess if you’re like me, then probably not. Or if you do, you just don’t feel the same, right?
Just like makeup for your face, leg makeup can bust your confidence sky high by making you feel more comfortable and self-assured about the appearance of your legs.
It will allow you to feel more confident wearing skirts, shorts, or swimwear, especially if you have concerns about your leg’s appearance.
3. Special Occasions
For your extra fancy special events like weddings, parties, or even photo shoots of any sorts, leg makeup can be your very own lifesaver.
It will ensure that your legs look their best under bright lights or in photographs, providing a professional and polished finish, and also making you feel great in the process, too.
4. Temporary Solutions
Leg makeup provides a temporary solution for any skin imperfections or concerns you may have, that might be a little challenging for you to address permanently, such as birthmarks or tattoos.
It can give you a quick and relatively easy way to conceal these features whenever you want. And there is definitely a freedom with that, right?
5. Weather and Environmental Factors
In hot and humid weather, leg makeup can help prevent sweat from ruining your gorgeous pins, or causing the makeup you are wearing to smudge or slide off.
And in a similar way, waterproof leg makeup is essential if you’re going to be getting into high-action activities like swimming or outdoor events where you may just get wet in the process. And you didn’t even get to the stunt show at Universal Studios yet!
Overall, leg makeup can play a massively significant role in helping you look and feel your best, whether for everyday wear or special occasions all the while providing you with a confidence boost and some very reliable yet temporary solutions for skin concerns.
A few products come to mind instantly when I get going on the subject of leg and body makeup. My faves are Westmore Body Coverage Perfector, Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup, of course, the ubiquitous Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs, Vita Liberata Body Blur, and MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation.
And we’ll take a good, hard look at these beauties in a minute.
I want to help inform you with the facts, to help you make a better choice for the right product for you.
Or perhaps you want to change it up a bit and try something new? Well, I can help you with that, too.
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Why Being Waterproof Matters for Your Leg Makeup
Maybe you’re out and about all day long. Or perhaps you are a golfer or professional tour guide and would like to add that little extra to your legs for work or on the weekend?
IRL, stuff happens, and when we’re out and about, for extended periods of time, having a solid waterproof product to rely on will ensure that it lasts all day long. Perhaps even a few days?
If you do want to wear one of these leg makeups for a wedding or special event, then going waterproof is pretty much a no-brainer because, well, you may have a light-colored dress on as part of a bridal party, and honestly, once you’re in the event, the last thing you want to think about or be concerned with is your legs. Set it and forget it, I say.
And that’s why having trust in your product of choice is vital. And that’s essentially why you’re putting it on in the first place, right? To feel great!
That’s why making the right choice for you is important.
So, let’s get started with that choice right now with the best leg makeup products for you:
My Top Picks for the Best Waterproof Leg Makeup Products
Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup
Well-known and regarded for its full coverage and long-lasting formula, Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup effortlessly conceals imperfections while providing a natural-looking finish.
And if truth be told, I’ve used this on a face or two in my time, as well. So don’t discount using it all over – you may have to pick up a few shades, and speaking of shades, that is another reason this is my first pick.
Dermablend Leg and Body makeup is available in 12 glorious shades, so there is room for a good base there, no matter your underlying tone.
Buying Options
Dermstore
Ulta
Amazon
Pros: The Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup is high coverage, long-lasting, and water-resistant. These qualities make it a reliable solution for cover and shade enhancing on your legs. The SPF 25+ is a big plus as well.
Cons: Because of its lasting power and ultra-pigmented formula, this leg and body makeup requires a bit of effort when it comes to removal. This can be a hassle or time-consuming, let’s not deny it.
Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup offers impressive coverage, longevity, and versatility, and that’s exactly why it’s a top choice for achieving flawless-looking legs and body.
While it may have some drawbacks, its benefits often outweigh them if you’re seeking reliable and long-lasting coverage.
Think of it as literally, a foundation for your legs. Because that’s pretty much what it is. And as I mentioned, I have used this as a face makeup at times, and you can be open to that, too.
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Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs
How could I not include the lightweight, water-resistant formula that is Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs in my list of recommendations for you?
It instantly blurs imperfections and enhances your skin tone for a radiant, airbrushed effect, because, well, you spray it on!
This super easy-to-apply, spray-on format ensures even coverage without streaks or smudges. Or even getting it anywhere near your hands and fingers in the process.
My pick of the airbrush sprays, for sure.
Pros: This is a super-easy application option in a convenient and quick spray-on formula in a can if you’re short on time.
Cons: With only 6 shades in the entire range, options are limited, for sure. I’d like to see this range branch out and be available to so many more people by including a full range of skin tone options.
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Westmore Body Coverage Perfector
The Westmore Beauty Body Coverage Perfector is a versatile makeup product designed to give you flawless coverage for your legs and body.
With its lightweight, buildable formula, this body coverage perfector will effortlessly conceal imperfections like scars, bruises, veins, and uneven skin tone, leaving your skin looking smooth and perfected.
Its long-lasting and water-resistant formula ensures that the coverage stays put throughout the day, making it suitable for various occasions and activities.
While the range of shades to suit different skin tones is minimal and something I would love to see expanded on in the future, the Westmore Beauty Body Coverage Perfector offers customizable coverage for a natural-looking finish that enhances the appearance of the skin.
It has a gorgeous luminosity to it that is really flattering – perfect for more mature skin as well. It has a delicious, silky finish to it that’s almost indescribable. Try it, and you’ll know.
Pros: The Westmore Beauty Body Coverage Perfector is highly versatile. With its sheer, luminous finish, you can use it fo all manner of reasons on your arms and legs, and it goes far beyond just making your legs a shade darker.
Cons: One potential con of the Westmore Beauty Body Coverage Perfector is its availability. Depending on your location and distribution channels, it may be challenging to purchase, either due to limited availability in stores or online retailers or shipping restrictions. And we all know how frustrating that can be when it’s your perfect go-to and you need to stock up on a new shade.
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Vita Liberata Body Blur
Infused with hydrating ingredients and light-reflecting particles, Vita Liberata Body Blur will give you a flawless, photo-ready finish that lasts all day.
This multi-tasker covers blemishes and adds a subtle glow to your legs, leaving them looking smooth and luminous. Love it!
Pros: A big unseen benefit for Vita Liberata Body Blur is how light-reflecting it is. What this means is that it’s really flattering on the skin, regardless of what you’ve got going on.
Cons: Another leg makeup product with a very limited shade range. Just 5, so if you’re looking for something more specific shade-wise, you may have to look elsewhere.
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MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation
While technically designed for the face, MAC Studio Face and Body Foundation will work wonders when applied to the legs. Its lightweight, buildable formula offers sheer to medium coverage, perfect for achieving a natural, dewy look that stays put throughout the day.
Purists may scoff, as this product is now a different formula to the higher-coverage Face and Body MAC used to have, but as the name states, this is a sheer makeup product, designed for your face and body, and with a light, natural-looking radiant finish.
Now, this new Studio Radiance Sheer Foundation does have a learning curve with your application, so be sure to have a play with it, with for light washes for a soft dewy sheer finish.
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Application Tips for A Flawless Leg and Body Makeup Application
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Achieving flawless legs with makeup is easier than you think, but, to get there, it is worth taking a little time in the preparation.
It is a bit of a process, so start with these simple steps, for the best results, before you slap on your makeup!
1. Exfoliate
Start with gently exfoliating your legs to remove any dead, dry skin that will add texture or roughness and keep you from creating an even finish on your legs. Or wherever you plan on applying your body makeup.
2. Hydrate
Be sure to moisturize your skin as well before you go anywhere near it your makeup product of choice. As with any makeup, well-prepped skin is key to your flawless finish!
3. Tools Matter
I suggest using your hands (clean, dry and warm – which can often help with your blending) or a large brush to apply your chosen makeup. This will guarantee you can spread the makeup evenly. And don’t forget to pay attention to areas that may require extra coverage – if you have varicose veins, scars, tattoos, stretch marks, or anything you particularly want to cover.
4. Set it and Forget It
Set your leg makeup with a translucent setting powder (only once it’s dry). Remember that some of these products can take a little while to activate, set and dry completely. So this is one step that patience is key.
5. Finishing Touches
Lightly mist your legs with setting spray to lock in the makeup and keep it looking fresh all day.
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Leg and Body Makeup Removal Techniques
Yep, that entirely, altogether unfun part of the process that you and I always want to avoid, right?
But let me tell you, the worst thing you can do is just let the makeup gradually fade on it’s own without actually physically removing it.
You don’t do that on your face (I hope!) so why anywhere else?
So, to effectively remove your super-duper long-lasting leg makeup, you want to develop a thorough cleansing routine that will guarantee you remove all traces of your makeup without irritating your skin or causing dryness.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to effectively remove long-lasting leg makeup:
- Prep your skin
First, wet your skin with a warm washcloth or Makeup Eraser (you know I love them!), and you can do this by gently patting it over your skin wherever your makeup is.This helps soften the makeup and also prepare your skin for more effective cleansing and removing. - Choose a Gentle Cleanser: Select a gentle cleanser that is suitable for skin types like yours. Look for a formula that is designed to remove makeup without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Oil-based cleansers or micellar lotions are excellent options for effectively breaking down long-lasting makeup.
- Apply Cleanser: Dispense a small amount of cleanser onto your hands and gently massage it onto the skin in circular motions, focusing on areas where makeup is concentrated. Take your time to ensure all areas are thoroughly covered with the cleanser.
- Use a Soft Cloth or Sponge: Wet a soft washcloth or cleansing sponge with lukewarm water and use it to gently wipe away the cleanser (and therefore makeup) from your skin. Be sure to avoid rubbing or scrubbing too vigorously, as this can irritate your skin.
- Repeat if Necessary: If you didn’t quite get everything off the first time round, repeat the cleansing process using a fresh washcloth or sponge and a bit more cleanser. And remember to be extra thorough in areas where makeup tends to accumulate, such as around the ankles or knees.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Once all traces of makeup have been removed, rinse the skin thoroughly with lukewarm water to ensure no residue is left behind.
- Moisturize: After your cleansing is complete, apply a hydrating moisturizer (I love, love, love this one!) to replenish moisture and soothe your skin. Be sure to look for a lightweight, non-comedogenic formula that won’t clog pores.
- Optional: Use a Makeup Remover: If stubborn makeup remains, you can use a specialized makeup remover or cleansing oil to target specific areas. And if you have super sensitive skin, perhaps you could even looking into a solution like a coconut oil. Apply a small amount to a cotton pad or powder puff and gently press it onto the skin, allowing the product to dissolve the makeup before wiping it away.
I know it may sound like a lot, but by following these steps, you can effectively remove long-lasting leg makeup and leave your skin feeling clean, refreshed, and makeup-free.
And regardless of whether you are a professional makeup artist putting this on other people, or using it just for you, the principals are still the same.
Okay, we did it!
With all of this info, you are ready and armed to get out there and get those legs out and ready for summer, without having to bake yourself for that dreaded tan anymore!
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Featured Image by Apostolos Vamvouras
