Makeup for synchronized swimming

You might remember from childhood that a lot of swimmers use makeup. It is true. Now what kind of a makeup for synchronized swimming and why it is used, we will try to find out.

Synchronized swimming is a sport that requires a lot of synchronization. In fact, synchronized swimmers often synchronize their makeup with their outfits. While this might seem like a small detail, it can actually make a big difference in how they look on stage.

The best way to get your makeup looking great is to find a color palette that matches the colors of your outfit and use coordinating colors and tones. For example, if you wear a bright blue swimsuit then try using bright blue eyeshadow and eyeliner for your look. This will make sure that your whole face looks cohesive with the rest of your outfit and will help you stand out from other synchronized swimmers who are wearing different colors than you are.

If you’re not sure where to start when choosing colors for your look, consider consulting with an expert who has experience with synchronized swimming makeup! They’ll be able to help figure out what colors will look best on stage as well as provide some guidance about which brands are best suited for this type of work (since there aren’t many options available).

Makeup for synchronized swimming

Below, all the Lilly-approved skin-care, makeup, and hair hacks to stay perfect, poolside, all summer long.

Don’t forget your SPF

While, yes, this is a no-brainer, it has to be said: Do not forget your SPF. Ever. Almost all the Aqualillies we chatted with noted facial SPF as a crucial first step to any poolside beauty routine, not only to prevent any immediate sun damage but also to keep your skin healthy over time. Lilly Noelis Orochena opts for one that doubles as a moisturizer. “Chlorine can be very drying to the skin, so it’s important to apply a moisturizer with SPF prior to anything else,” she says.

There’s no need to buy waterproof everything

Despite what you may think, not all of your makeup needs to be labeled waterproof or water-resistant in order to outlast a day spent swimming. “Surprisingly, a lot of makeup is more water-resistant than you think,” says Lilly Kristy Aguirre. “Generally, a simple primer or concealer will provide a good base for the rest of the makeup to go on. Regular powdered eyeshadow and blush are more than fine for waterproof applications as well. However, the main products you should definitely purchase with a waterproof label are mascara and eyeliner.” Otherwise, black mascara tears are in your future.

In a pinch? Chapstick works as an eyeshadow primer

Looking to both take a dip and wear a full eye look, but don’t have any primer? A hack that Orochena swears by is using chapstick, instead. “The stickiness will hold the shadow in place,” she says.

Opt for a matte foundation

Whether you’re looking for light, medium, or full coverage in terms of foundation, the general consensus among the Lillies is that matte is the way to go. “I’ve found that dewier foundations could be wiped off easier when wet,” says Aguirre. Of course, many of us love a glowy, dewy look when spending a day in the sun, so she suggests topping off a dewy-finish foundation with setting powder and setting spray to help lock it down.

Setting spray is a must

Dewy skin or not, almost all of the Aqualillies we spoke to counted setting spray as a necessary item in their poolside arsenal. Whether your look is on the natural side or full coverage, a setting spray will help make sure it survives a swim.

Forget mascara, get a lash lift

While many of the girls mention that, really, the only product that needs to be waterproof when swimming is your mascara, the product also has its downfalls: not only does it flake and can be tough to remove, but it also tends to dry out and damage your lashes. Kate and Carla Ni, Lilllies and twin sisters, swear by getting lash lifts, instead. “This has been a game-changer for our Asian eyelashes,” they say. “We have naturally long and thick black eyelashes, but they slope downwards, so we’ve always had to use an eyelash curler before putting on mascara. A lash lift is basically a little perm for your eyelashes, and you don’t have to worry about any additional maintenance factors, like when you get extensions.”

Don’t have naturally dark lashes? Opt for a lift and tint, so you can skip mascara altogether.

Red, chlorine-irritated eyes? Grab some milk

Makeup aside, sometimes it’s our eyeballs that need some assistance.

Accidentally got splashed with pool water and ended up with itchy, red, and irritated eyeballs? Not a problem! Aguirre shared a very, err, interesting hack: “You can alleviate chlorine irritated eyes with a milk bath. Simply fill up your goggles with some milk, put it to your face, and open your eyes for a few seconds. Repeat a couple times as needed, and you’ll be feeling much better.” If you’re wearing contacts, she recommends taking them out before trying this.

For natural hairstyles, moisturize before and immediately after

It’s no news that chlorine is seriously damaging to hair, so Lilly Maryann Benjamin provided her tips for keeping natural hairstyles protected: “For my natural short cut, the night before shows, I add castor or coconut oils and a few drops of essential oils to my favorite deep conditioner and leave overnight. In the morning, I rinse my hair about 75 percent and style in a protective braided or flat twist hairstyle. Immediately after the pool, I rinse my hair and coat it with more conditioner and oils to hydrate.”

Not sure which essential oils to incorporate into your routine? Benjamin recommends geranium oil to strengthen hair, lavender oil to deep condition, sandalwood to help dry ends, and jojoba oil for extra moisture.

Opt for braids

If you’re looking to go from pool to party and you’re planning to take frequent dips underwater, leaving your hair down and natural (if you have a bob or longer) probably isn’t the best hairstyle choice. Rather, you should opt for a tight style that will last all day. Many of the Lillies recommend some sort of braid, should your hairstyle permit. (If your style survives a performance, then be assured it will last from a day at the pool through a night out.)

“The best hairstyle to wear when we don’t have our caps on is French braids twisted into a bun,” says Orochena. “It’s great for keeping shorter layers in and looks really cute.” Aguirre also agrees that double French braids twists into a bun is best for layers, bangs, or shorter styles.”

Bring out the heavy, waxy styling products

A French braid not your thing? A slicked-back look will do if you want your style to remain intact after taking a dip. For this, Lilly Michelle Dawley suggests opting for products that are on the heavier side and have a waxy texture.

Or… gelatin?

If you’re really looking to keep that ‘do in place, a few of the Aqualillies shared their secret hack for shiny, smooth, and unmovable hairstyles: unflavored, colorless gelatin. “If you’ve ever wondered what makes synchronized swimmers’ heads so shiny and smooth during the Olympics, it’s unflavored, colorless gelatin that’s mixed with hot water to form a paste that basically acts as an ultra heavy-duty hair gel,” say the Ni twins.

“It’s pretty messy and smells a little funny, but it is by far the most effective thing that will keep our hair intact,” says Orochena.