Makeup Tips: Pro tips to keep your makeup fresh in hot and humid weather

From sweat-proof formulas to SPF-friendly layering, here’s how to keep your makeup flawless through summer heat and humidity (Image: Pexels)

This season, is all about bright skies, sunlit brunches, and festive outdoor gatherings but keeping your makeup intact in hot, humid weather can feel like a losing battle. Sweat, shine, and dehydration often cause even the best products to melt away.

With the right formulas, strategic prep, and a few expert-approved tricks, your look can stay flawless from sunrise to sundown. Amanda Bell, Global Director of Makeup Artistry, explains, “Velvety textured (when deeply pigmented), water-based stains and powder-based formulations are fantastic for long-wearing. Creamy textures can be layered for a longer-lasting effect and set with a translucent powder, ensuring excellent longevity.”

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Importance of prep

Before you even reach for your foundation, what you do with your skin makes all the difference. A good prep routine helps makeup grip better and withstand hours of wear, especially in the sun. Amanda emphasises, “Layering weightless hydration with humectant ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid ensures that the skin does not dehydrate. It helps in keeping make-up flawless and longer. Use a primer and fixing mist to give the pigments something to adhere to.” Think of this as priming a canvas — hydration first, followed by a pore-smoothing primer, then a mist to lock everything in place. This creates a breathable yet sturdy base that prevents makeup from slipping.

Makeup meets sun protection

While foundation and pigmented products can shield the skin from visible light, they don’t replace sunscreen. A smart summer kit includes a hydrating mist with Hyaluronic Acid for touch-ups, a poreless primer to perfect the base, and a fixing mist to hold pigments in place. Above all, a daily SPF 50 shield that is lightweight, broad-spectrum, and wearable under or over makeup is a non-negotiable. Amanda reminds us, “The pigments in makeup can offer a barrier against visible light and give coverage, but to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, you need to use a dedicated sunscreen product with the stated SPF or makeup with properties of an SPF added.”

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Midday touch-ups without the cake

Even with the best prep, hot days often call for subtle touch-ups. A light finish ensures your look feels fresh instead of heavy, allowing skin to breathe while keeping the end look polished. Instead of layering more product, Bell suggests resetting the makeup you already have. She says, “It is essential to blot the skin by first removing excess oil (like an oil blotter). Mist the skin with hydration, buff existing makeup/base skin into the skin with a brush (ensuring that existing makeup is prepped). Now you can add extra base complexion make up into the skin with clean fingertips and then re-powder on the T-zone. I always have a clean spoolie to gently brush through lashes and brows and re-curl lashes to re-invigorate a makeup look.”

FAQs

Q: How can I keep my makeup intact in hot, humid weather?
A: Using velvety textured, water-based stains and powder-based formulations helps with long-wearing makeup. Layer creamy textures and set with a translucent powder for excellent longevity.

Q: What is the importance of skin prep for makeup?
A: A good prep routine helps makeup grip better and withstand hours of wear. Hydration with humectant ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid is crucial to prevent dehydration. Use a primer and fixing mist for better adherence.

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Q: Should sunscreen be used even if makeup contains SPF?
A: Yes, makeup pigments provide a barrier against visible light, but a dedicated sunscreen with SPF 50 is necessary to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

Q: How can I touch up my makeup during the day without it looking cakey?
A: Blot excess oil with an oil blotter, mist with hydration, buff existing makeup, add extra base makeup with clean fingertips, and re-powder the T-zone. Use a clean spoolie to brush through lashes and brows.

Disclaimer: This article only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific diagnosis.