STYLE : LOOKS : On the Water Front

Women who don’t want winter showers or winter sports to ruin their makeup will be interested in knowing that several cosmetics companies are branching out from mascaras to other waterproof and water-resistant products.

Max Factor, for instance, has just introduced waterproof Splish Splash Underwater makeup. The colored eye pencils, along with the mascara, will be used by the U.S. Synchronized Swimming Team in national competition and during the Olympics. Eye shadows are due out next summer.

Lancome offers Le Crayon, which is a line of colored eye pencils that can be applied as waterproof liner or, when smudged, waterproof shadow. And Clinique has Workout Makeup, seven shades of water-resistant foundation, and Gel Rouge, six blushes also designed to stay put. Says Susan Maniaci, a Clinique beauty adviser: “These products are not only for women who swim. Rather, they are for women who exercise, participate in sports and/or are exposed to various weather conditions that may cause the skin to absorb moisture and perspiration.”

Many of these products contain ingredients that make them long-lasting, so regular soap and water may not wash them off completely. Maniaci and others recommend using a makeup remover to dissolve any stubborn traces of the makeup. They also caution against rubbing too hard around the eyes, which could cause lashes to fall out and increase wrinkling.