Summer is, without a doubt, my favourite season. I love being outside and enjoying all the beautiful things that warmer weather has to offer. But I have to admit that there is one thing that affects me every year: smearing my makeup.
Let’s face it, applying full face makeup is a job. And if you are someone who likes to do a full glamour, it can take a reasonable amount of time to get it perfect. So it isn’t delightful when something as simple as the weather causes the base to melt.
But according to celebrity makeup artists Genevieve Herr and Cara Lovello, there are several steps you can take to give your foundation extra staying power in hot weather. “The most important thing when doing full makeup in the summer is to keep it cool and light,” says Herr. “You want your skin to be able to breathe, especially when it’s wet and you’re more prone to sweating.”
Below, makeup artists share their top tips for giving your foundation that extra staying power in the heat of summer.
Keep it Light
During the summer months, a lightweight foundation is your best friend and the answer to all-day coverage. Heavy foundations are more likely to cause sweating and thus melt into a sticky mess.
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“In humid climates, your skin needs to be able to breathe, a lighter formula will help,” says Herr. “One of my must-haves is Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra 24H Longwear Foundation, which has a lightweight, breathable feel, full 24-hour matte coverage, and covers blemishes with ease.”

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Thin your Foundation
If you don’t have a lightweight base, that’s fine. Herr suggests adding a drop of your favourite moisturizer to dilute your daily foundation. “Adding moisturizer to your foundation can help you achieve a sheer summer glow,” she explains.
Use a Primer
Primer helps optimize skin before makeup application and works wonders when it comes to preventing foundation from sweating. The lightweight solution seals pores, mattifies the skin and helps reduce oil production. If you have oily skin, try using a mattifying foundation to give your foundation all-day staying power and a flawless finish.
Bake your Face
A quick search on YouTube, and you will find a ton of tutorials on how to bake your face. The folk method is a red carpet favourite among many celebrities and can help your foundation hold up in hot weather. “Baking means putting excess powder on the skin to ‘cook’ the makeup on the face,” says Lovello. “Many makeup artists use this method to help set makeup and the results are flawless.”
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Use a Sponge to Blend.
Whether you choose the teardrop sponge you’ve seen influencers use in makeup tutorials or a generic brand, use one. According to Lovello, these tools help pick up any excess foundation, which means less chance of makeup wrinkling on the skin. “The sponge helps achieve a flawless, airbrushed look that can withstand hot weather,” says Lovello.
Minimal Powder
Contrary to popular belief, using face powder during the summer months is not always ideal. When you start to sweat, the powder can look chalky and caked, improving blemishes and smile lines. “If the powder is necessary, use it only in the T zone,” says Herr. “Always pat your face dry before powdering to collect oil from your skin for a longer lasting application.”
Blott with Sheets
If you have oily skin, you know that hot weather and excessive sweating can often produce an undesirable glow, especially in the T zone. “The blotting sheets help soak up the oil when it comes to the surface,” says Lovello. The miniature papers are very convenient and fit perfectly in your bag for quick touch-ups.
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Use a Setting Spray
The setting spray has a similar effect to the primer, except that you use it as the final step in applying makeup. Think of it as the finishing touch (like hairspray), as it helps set a foundation to prevent blemishes, wrinkles, and fading. “Setting sprays melt all layers of makeup together and prolong wear,” says Lovello. If you’re prone to melting makeup, a dash of setting spray will help keep midday touch-ups to a minimum and set your look.