5 Simple Ways To Heat-Proof Your Makeup

Heat, humidity and sweat: Three of makeup’s biggest enemies. Or so you might think. It doesn’t have to be that way, since nifty products and clever application techniques can help your make-up stay put through thick and thin. Here find five makeup artist-approved tips to harness when it’s hot.

Prep the skin

How you tend to your skin before you apply makeup is key to enhancing the longevity of base formulas. As well as hydrating the skin, make-up artist Jamie Genevieve is a great believer in the power of primer for makeup longevity. “Use a primer that feels slightly tacky,” she recommends. Most formulas now marry stellar primer capabilities with hydrating and barrier-boosting ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.

Choose the right foundation

Finding the right foundation is essential if you want to wear it all day—and it’s not as difficult as you might think. Those who prefer a barely-there finish should opt for BB or CC creams, or tinted moisturizers—Lisa Eldridge’s new Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint is second to none for a glowy summer finish. For those who like medium coverage and upwards, look for products labeled “long wear”. “These will have been tested by a panel of people to ensure they can perform in such a manner,” says Debbie Finnegan, MAC’s global senior artist. MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid Foundation is one such formula and promises to last for up to 24 hours on the skin.

Set your base

Whether you use a spray or a powder, setting your make-up is key. “If you don’t usually set your makeup, powder is great, even if you just apply it to the areas of your skin where makeup tends to move the most,” says Genevieve. “Using a light powder with a Beautyblender makes the skin look airbrushed.” It’s also key to use a setting spray, she says—and yes they do work. “Setting sprays contain ingredients that form a protective veil over your makeup—you can use it as a last step in your make-up routine, or go one step further and mist between layers of makeup to help blend. The latter helps make-up stay in place all day.”

Consistency is key

To heat-proof your makeup look, switch creamy consistencies for powder textures instead. “In the heat, I would recommend making the most of your eye makeup, and adding a matte bronzer and powder blush as these will last the duration,” advises Webb. “Cream and gel textures may move slightly over time, so go for matte products.”

Waterproof your eyes

If the heat all gets a bit much and your mascara simply won’t stay put, swap your normal mascara for a waterproof number, like Lancome’s Lash Idôle Lash-Lifting & Volumizing Waterproof Mascara, which delivers a full and fluttery finish that stays put, no matter what you throw at it.