How to Prevent Makeup From Melting Off Your Face This Summer, According to the Pros
Summer tends to complicate your regular makeup routine. When temperatures rise well above comfort levels and humidity hits above 75 percent outside, you may think it's pointless to even wear makeup. But if you love to wear it, don't give up. There are ways to ensure that your foundation, contouring, and highlighting will stay in place, even through the sweat. Yes, you could use a stellar setting spray, but there are a few steps you can take during your makeup application process for a truly locked-in look.
1. Choose a primer that works for your skin type
There's a reason why there are so many different primers on makeup shelves: they are all made for different skin types and different weather conditions. "If you're looking for your makeup to stay in place, try
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," says Robert Greene, a makeup artist who works with Tinashe and Samira Wiley. "This product preps the skin for a flawless finish and also locks your foundation in place for hours. It's oil-free and a great primer for every skin type."
2. Rethink your foundation application
Foundation becomes a whole different game during the summer, and you need to know how to play it correctly. This involves changing the way you put it on. Greene suggests using a buffing motion when you apply it. "Buff the foundation onto your skin in circular motions, layering small amounts of product until you get your desired coverage," he says. "My favorite brush for this is the Real Techniques Buffing Brush."
Another tip from makeup artist Benjamin Puckey is to layer your complexion makeup a bit differently — like applying powder in between your primer and foundation. "For primer, I like to apply the Ren Perfect Canvas Skin Finishing Serum followed by a layer of Laura Mercier Translucent Powder. After this I’ll apply a foundation such as Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk, which works great in hot weather." That layer of powder between the two liquid products gives your makeup more grip and lasting power, on top of your primer.
If you want to lighten up on foundation altogether, Puckey touts the full-coverage Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup For Face and Body as an excellent option to spot conceal (apply and blend out where needed) or to mix with a serum to customize your coverage.
3. Use liquids to your advantage
You know the problem: You blend out your highlighter to perfection, and then the climate outside just demolishes it to oblivion. Beauty blogger Huda Kattan posted this video of herself dabbing on highlighter a few weeks ago:
It shows her applying some layers of coconut oil as she puts on her highlighter. "I know this is weird, but I love using a thicker oil to set in between my highlight," Kattan wrote in her caption. In the video, she uses Vita Coco Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil to act as a sticky layer for her highlighter to sit on top of.
This would be a great time to use your liquid or cream blush formulas too, especially ones that sink into your skin for a tinted effect. "For a beautiful, long-lasting Summery glow, try Becca Beach Lip and Blush Tint, which is a liquid blush that stays on really well in the heat," Puckey recommends. "When it comes to highlighters, I really like how well Flesh Beauty’s Ripe Flesh Glisten Drops stays put." He also suggests mixing the drops with your moisturizer and foundation for a subtle radiant finish.
4. Get your blotting powders in bulk
We know you're used to your powder, but it's time to start embracing blotting papers. "My favorite way to set makeup lately is to take one of the
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and wrap it around a big, fluffy powder puff from Muji or Shiseido, then roll that all over the top of my makeup to set," says Suzy Gerstein, a makeup artist who works with Karlie Kloss and Camilla Belle. "The puff is easy to fold and manipulate, which allows you to really get into the crevices that tend to invite sweat, like the inner corners of the nose and under the chin."
5. Swap your eye makeup for waterproof formulas
Even if you're not going swimming while wearing eye makeup, heat and humidity make walking outside like a public steam room. Waterproof mascara and eyeliner is a must, if you want to keep your lines where you drew them. "My favorite hot weather mascara is M.A.C. Extended Play Mascara, which separates lashes and holds a curl perfectly," Puckey recommends. Tubing mascaras are great because they form waterproof "tubes" around each lash that grant your lashes length without any smudging — they wash off more easily than traditional waterproof mascara formulas do, as well. As for that summer-proof cat-eye, Puckey recommends the Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner.
Get the most of those 10 weeks of summer beauty:
But don't you dare forget about sun care:
