When you’re getting ready for these fun in the sun days, you have to decide whether it’s even worth it to put makeup on or if it’ll just melt off your face in five minutes. As we trade in our cozy winter layers for sun-kissed skin and beachy vibes, it’s time to rethink our makeup routine. Your makeup can melt off your face in five minutes in the heat, but with the right prep and products, you can achieve a beautiful, sun-kissed look without sacrificing your makeup.
It’s a little bit about what you use, and a lot about how you use it.
Makeup artists agree that for your makeup to look its best and wear its longest, you need to prep your skin before applying. And when it’s hot out, you want to start with a gripping primer and then build up your foundation a little at a time. “When it’s hot or humid, the longevity of your makeup really starts with how you prep the skin. I always begin with a smoothing primer to create grip, followed by a lightweight, breathable complexion product rather than anything overly heavy. Thin layers are key — after all, it’s much better to build coverage gradually than to apply a lot at once, because thicker layers tend to break down faster in heat,” says Nikki DeRoest, LA-based celebrity makeup artist and founder and CEO of ciele Cosmetics.
Prepping Your Skin for the Heat
From getting ready for beach trips to worrying about makeup melting off, prepping your skin is key to a long-lasting look. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:
- Use a gripping primer: A smoothing primer can help create a strong grip for your makeup, making it last longer and look better.
- Choose a lightweight foundation: Lightweight, breathable complexion products are a must for hot weather. They won’t clog pores or cause your makeup to melt off.
- Build coverage gradually: Thin layers are key to a long-lasting look. Don’t apply too much product at once, as it will break down faster in the heat.
Sun Exposure: A Concern for Hot and Sweaty Days
Sun exposure is a concern when it’s hot and sweaty, and it’s not just about protecting your skin from UV rays. Prolonged sun exposure can cause makeup to fade faster, making it look uneven and patchy. DeRoest recommends reaching for products with SPF built into their formulas. They’ll help prevent exposure to harmful UV rays throughout the day, and you won’t ruin your makeup by reapplying a traditional SPF. “For example, I’d start with Ciele’s Prime & Protect SPF 30+ to smooth the skin and help makeup adhere better, followed by Ciele’s Tint & Protect SPF 50+, which gives breathable coverage while also protecting the skin,” she explains.
Touch-Ups: A Must for Hot Summer Days
You may have to touch up your makeup in the summertime, even if you’re not someone who typically does so during less sweaty seasons of the year. You don’t need to travel with your whole makeup bag, but keeping a few versatile tools in your purse can do wonders. DeRoest recommends keeping blotting papers, a small powder compact, and a lip product in your bag. Blotting papers are great because they absorb excess oil without adding more product. A powder blush is also helpful because you can lightly revive the cheeks if needed.
Setting Powder: A Myth Busted
If you’re a millennial who spent time learning from beauty guru YouTube, chances are you’re wondering where setting powder fits into this sweat-proof makeup routine. Those early influencers set every inch of their face in every tutorial, but you really don’t need to do all that, DeRoest says. “You absolutely don’t have to mattify your entire face to make makeup last. I actually prefer keeping the skin luminous and only setting the areas that tend to move the most, like the center of the face or along the temples if you tend to sweat,” she says.
Setting Spray: The Ultimate Hail Mary
Setting spray, on the other hand, really can help hold your makeup in place without changing the finish of your skin. Makeup setting sprays contain polymers that form a lightweight film or “net” over your makeup, which holds it in place throughout the day and makes it more resistant to humidity, sweat, and smudging.
Products for a Sweat-Proof Look
As a beauty lover who tests a ton of products for work — and a lifelong resident of the Sunshine State — here are the products I keep on my vanity for hot summer days:
- Ciele’s Prime & Protect SPF 30+: A smoothing primer that helps create a strong grip for makeup and protects the skin from UV rays.
- Ciele’s Tint & Protect SPF 50+: A lightweight, breathable complexion product that gives breathable coverage while also protecting the skin.
- Blotting papers: A must-have for hot summer days, blotting papers absorb excess oil without adding more product.
- Powder blush: A versatile tool that can lightly revive the cheeks if needed.
- Setting spray: A lightweight film or “net” over your makeup that holds it in place throughout the day and makes it more resistant to humidity, sweat, and smudging.
With the right prep and products, you can achieve a beautiful, sun-kissed look without sacrificing your makeup. So next time you’re getting ready for a beach trip or a backyard barbecue, don’t let the heat stop you from feeling pretty and confident. With these expert tips and tricks, you’ll be ready to take on the sun in style.
