How to Keep Your Makeup from Sweating Off This Summer

Summer is almost here, meaning it's time for Memorial Day parades, fun days at the beach, and sweaty, runny, ruined makeup. There’s nothing quite like the horror of applying a full face of makeup and then feeling it slowly slip off your face in the heat 45 minutes later. However, that doesn’t mean you have to go barefaced all summer long. Here are a few tips to use that will help keep makeup on your face where it belongs even when the temperature starts to rise higher and higher.

Facial oils are all the rage right now. Everywhere you look, oils such as argan oil, avocado oil, CBD-infused oil moisturizer, and lightweight facial oil are in use. While this may give skin the perfect dewy glow in winter, it will cause an instant makeup meltdown as soon as it hits the heat. Anything oil-based will instantly separate the minute a water-based product is applied over the top. That’s what causes those unsightly patchy spots. In fact, even those with super dry skin should avoid facial oil.

Use a hyaluronic acid serum or a mattifying primer to keep skin looking fresh and dewy instead of sweaty and gross. That great oil-based moisturizer that was so great for winter? Ditch it for summer and try a lightweight gel moisturizer or cream-based product instead. For more great tips on how to keep makeup on in the worst of the heat, check out the Renee Rouleau Blog. She also has some great tips on creating a truly great skincare regimen that will help keep skin hydrated and shine-free all summer long.

The next step to having heat- and sweat-proof makeup is finding a great mattifying primer. Anything that’s either mattifying, pore minimizing, and smoothing should work great. They’re especially great for users with oily or combination skin. For those who don't want to stop using illuminating primer, use the mattifying primer on the trouble spots where you sweat the most, like the upper lip and forehead. Then, use the illuminating primer everywhere else for that rosy glow, like the apples of the cheeks and cheekbones.

Remember, read the ingredient label and skip any products with oil in them. Another pro tip: finish off a cleansing routine with a splash of ice-cold water. It helps give skin that refreshed feeling and can help makeup stay on longer.

A heavy and long-wear foundation is truly a godsend for women of all kinds. A foundation that lasts and looks amazing and natural for 12+ hours? Yes, please! However, during the summer months, this kind of heavy foundation is a no-no. While foundation can be a best friend, it can quickly become your worst enemy if you use the wrong type.

Instead of long-wear, look for water-based, lightweight formulas. They’re easier to build, and they won’t slide off in the heat. For those who don't like foundation, try a sheer tinted moisturizer (with SPF, of course) to keep skin looking great, even in the heat.

No, really. Look for a sweat-resistant gel specifically designed to stop sweating in places other than the armpit, like the face. Essentially, it’s deodorant for the face, and it’s available for areas like the hands, feet, and chest. It also works hard to prevent sweat due to heat or stress, making it perfect for year-round wear or on those days there's a critical presentation at work, first date, a big test, etc. However, those with ultra-dry skin might want to try a different option, like tinted moisturizer and primer with setting powder. This type of antiperspirant is best for moderate to severe cases.

Blotting paper will be your BFF this summer. Invest in some high-quality blotting sheets and get a mini-pack for your purse and car, too. They’re perfect for soaking up all that extra oil that magically appears an hour after applying makeup. Though a popular alternative is using powder, anything other than translucent setting powder can look cakey, patchy, and weird. Use blotting papers instead.

Pro tip: If you don’t have blotting paper and need shine control in a pinch, tear off a corner of newspaper (or paper towel) and use that instead. It works surprisingly well as an emergency blotter and is a cost-effective method, too. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Foundation or pressed powders can look cakey and very obvious. Always use a translucent or fine setting powder, and use it sparingly. Even too much of that can be noticeable. While powder sucks up oil, it also adds an extra layer of makeup that, unfortunately, can look dry or texturized, which isn’t flattering. When using translucent powder or even pressed powder, wait until your face is dry before it’s applied. This is where the blotting papers come in handy. Pat dry entirely or suffer the crumbly, cakey consequences.

Setting spray is the worst-kept secret for keeping makeup securely in place all day long. However, the old saying is true: you get what you pay for. Look for a high-quality setting spray that not only keeps makeup on securely but is perfect for a refreshing spritz during the day. Setting spray works to add moisture and blend the makeup while setting it into place.

When the temperatures start to soar, cream-based products are mandatory. This goes for eyeshadow, blush, concealer instead of powder, etc. For starters, they’re much easier to apply when your skin is already hot or sweaty. And, once they’ve dried, they’re much more secure than powder eyeshadow and won’t smudge. For extra hold, use a creamy eyeshadow primer as a base before applying the shadow. For those who are a little intimidated by cream eyeshadow, don't fret. It's super simple—just draw it on with the stick or applicator, blend it out and feather the edges with a brush, and boom—done.

Waterproof mascara is literally the holy grail of makeup inventions. It stays put through swimming, crying, kissing, and of course, lots of heat and sweat. When summer comes and the temperatures start to get uncomfortably hot, always reach for the waterproof version of a favorite mascara. For help removing the stubborn stuff every night, try micellar water to remove waterproof mascara and other makeup gently and effectively. For a more glamorous look, you can also try using lash lift and tint kit products to accentuate the shape and the tint of your lashes. 

The best way to stay dry is to hydrate. Chugging water all day keeps your body cool from the inside out. Find a cute stainless steel water bottle and decorate it with some cool stickers from Etsy. Add ice often to keep it nice and cold. Pro tip: use the icy water bottle on super-hot days to cool off by holding it against the back of your neck for a minute or two.

Summer is one of the best times of the year. Spending the day at the beach, heading to a pool party, or even just barbequing with friends are some activities that everybody looks forward to, especially when it’s cold and snowy. There’s one part of summer that nobody likes, though: feeling a full face of makeup slide off into a smudged and ruined mess.

However, these ten tips will help makeup stay firmly in place even through the worst of the heat and humidity. Then, you can spend the summer making fun memories with friends and family rather than looking at the bathroom mirror while reapplying makeup every ten minutes.