9 Top Tips : How to Sweat-Proof Makeup For Summertime Heat

Summer is heating up, and with heat comes sweat. We all want to still look cute and put together even in very hot weather, but we also do not want to deal with that unflattering melting or cracking makeup look that can come with summertime heat. Is there anything that can help prevent this from happening? Can you still achieve a well-put-together look in the heat without sweating your makeup off?

Yes, you can, and today we are sharing our best 9 tips to help sweat-proof your makeup. Keep on reading to find out what these are.

Start with Your Skincare

The key to sweat-proofing your makeup is light and fewer layers of product starting with your skincare, your moisturizer in particular. For the warmer weather, you want to switch over to a lighter moisturizer and if you have oily skin, it would be good to go for an oil-free option. Since SPF is very important, perhaps you could cut down one layer of the product by choosing a moisturizer that already contains SPF instead of applying one separately after your moisturizer. Either way, make sure to give your products a few minutes to soak in and dry before applying the next.

Wear Less Makeup to Sweat-Proof Makeup

When it comes to makeup, less is more especially during summer. Wearing a lighter base is crucial if you want to sweat-proof your makeup look and combat cracks. Lightweight foundations are great choices for summer, you do not want anything too thick and heavy so it’s best to avoid any thick cream foundations as they can also end up making you look extra shiny. A better choice would be to go for a lightweight tinted moisturizer with SPF since these could take care of 2 steps in one- your SPF and add a light layer of coverage at the same time.

You can even use a concealer to add extra coverage on any areas needed. If your skin is pretty oily, a light powder foundation would be a good option for you. Just make sure to apply a light layer since you want to avoid applying too much powder as it could cause cracks in your makeup if you over-apply or use too many powder products in the summer’s heat. Another option is if your skin is pretty clear and does not have any problem areas, skip base makeup altogether. Simply focus on your skincare and SPF step.

Noemi is showing us a minimal makeup look, less is more for the hot summer heat

Try a Face Primer and/or Setting Powder

Another way to sweat-proof your makeup is by applying a face primer. There are many types of face primers available, but the main purpose of them is to help smooth the face so that your makeup (particularly your base makeup) applies smoother and helps keep it in place. You would apply this after your skincare and before your base makeup, giving each a few minutes to dry before applying the next. Setting powders are also a great choice, especially if you have oily skin and are using

either a light liquid/creamy foundation or a tinted moisturizer. A setting powder will help hold foundation/base makeup in place and prevent it from rubbing off and help keep shine at bay. Do not over-apply, though, only a light layer is needed to keep your makeup from cracking. After you apply your foundation/tinted moisturizer, let it dry for a couple of minutes, then apply a light layer of setting powder.

Use a Powder Bronzer

Everyone loves a good, natural, bronzed complexion in the summertime. It has already been mentioned that you want to avoid using too many powder products, but you also don’t want to use all cream products either to sweat-proof your makeup. It is best to use a powder bronzer since it’s lighter and less likely to move around like a cream would with the heat. Red Apple Lipstick’s Sundrop Bronzer is the perfect natural-looking shade that works great on all skin tones because it is super buildable, without feeling heavy on the skin.

Using a brush, like the Blush Brush, lightly blend bronzer just on the areas where the sun would naturally hit your face- the forehead, cheekbones, nose, and chin. This will give you a very beautiful natural-looking, warm, bronzed complexion.

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Apply Eye Primer

If you will be applying eye makeup, make sure to apply an eyeshadow primer to prep the lids. Eyeshadow primer will not only help eyeshadow apply smoothly, but it will also help make it last longer. It will help prevent your eye makeup from creasing and cracking which tends to happen more often in the summertime heat, so a primer is a must! The Prime Time Eye Shadow Primer is a perfect choice since it’s lightweight, you only need a tiny amount to do the job.

Just make sure to let it dry for a couple of minutes before applying eyeshadow. Talking about eyeshadows, choose lighter versions of your go-to colors for summer and avoid those heavy-looking rich, deep shades. Check out RAL’s eyeshadow selection by clicking here.

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Try a Blush Stain To Sweat-Proof Makeup

Blush is a great way to incorporate a healthy-looking pop of color into your look. And when it comes to blush, you can still use those beautiful blush powders as long as you apply them lightly. If you though, want to cut down on your powder products, try using a blush stain instead. These are super lightweight and do not tend to crack in the heat as some powder blushes will do if applied too heavily.

RAL’s lipsticks have multiple uses including being used as cheek stains or blush stains. Simply dot on onto the cheeks and blend with either clean fingers or a brush. Start with just a tiny amount and apply a bit more if needed, remember you want to keep the application light, you just want a wash of color.

Red Apple Lipstick has some gorgeous lipstick colors that are versatile enough to wear as a cheek color too

Use Lipsticks as a Lip Stain

Lip stains are great to use during the summertime heat as they are lightweight, lasting longer on the lips without sliding around as a full-coverage lipstick might do. Try applying any of your favorite RAL lipstick shade as a stain by simply applying a bit onto your finger first and then dabbing that onto the lips. You can intensify the color by repeating it once or twice more. A great way to prevent your lips from appearing dry is by first prepping them with the Rallye Balm. Apply a bit of balm and let it soak in for a couple of minutes before applying your stain.

So many of Red Apple Lipstick colors work excellent for wearing only as a lip stain

Finish Your Makeup with a Setting Spray

Setting sprays are meant to prolong the wear of your makeup look by preventing it from fading, smudging, and cracking making them great products to help sweat-proof your look. Once you have finished applying all of your makeup, you want to lock it in place by spritzing on a setting spray as your last and final step.

Touch-Up to Sweat-Proof Makeup

It is a good idea to carry in your purse a couple of products in case you need to touch up your makeup if you start getting too oily or shiny. Some great products to have on hand are some blotting papers, especially if you will be outside. Blotting papers are great at removing any sweat and excess oils from the complexion without messing up your makeup. If your makeup is starting to look a little dull, you can freshen it up by just lightly applying a finishing powder that has a bit of luminosity to it to add some dewiness to the complexion.

A pressed powder compact would be a great option to carry with you since they are not as messy as loose powders. Another great product to have on hand is a face mist, they are a great way to give the skin a burst of hydration and can refresh your makeup without messing it up. They are amazing in the summertime heat and can help your makeup stay looking fresh and sweat-proofed. Make sure to also carry your lip color product as well, in case you have to touch up your lips.

These are some of the best tips to help sweat-proof makeup and keep it from cracking in the summertime heat. Following these tips will help keep your makeup stay in place and looking fresh throughout the day. What do you find to help your makeup stay looking good in the summertime? Share some of your favorite tips with us in the comments below.

Final Look

Noemi is wearing a face primer, tinted moisturizer, Sundrop Bronzer by Red Apple Lipstick and Tango Blush by Red Apple Lipstick lightly applied. Also, Prime Time Eye Shadow Primer; Heirloom, Blondeshell, and Buttercream eyeshadows; mascara; and brow gel ( currently Red Apple Lipstick does not sell brow gel) and is wearing Rallye Balm to prep the lips and Coral Crush lipstick applied as a stain. Noemi Finished the look by setting it with a face mist. ( not currently sold by Red Apple Lipstick )

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What type of foundation is best for hot weather?

Lightweight foundations are best to wear during warm weather, you do not want to wear anything too heavy on the skin. Some great options are skin tints, lightweight liquid foundations, light powder foundations if you have oily skin, BB creams, or tinted moisturizers, even a tinted sunscreen would work great if you do not need much coverage.

2. How do I keep my foundation from sweating?

The key is to keep the application light. Whatever base product you use make sure to only apply a light layer and if you need a bit more coverage, apply a bit of concealer only on the areas that need it. The same applies if you are using a powder foundation, you can use some concealer on any areas that need more coverage and then dust a light layer of powder foundation. You can also use a face primer before applying your base to help it stay in place.

If you are using a base that is not a powder foundation, you can always set that with a light layer of setting powder to help keep it in place and control shine.

3. How do I heatproof makeup?

Keep your makeup light, avoid heavy products in the heat. Less is more when it comes to wearing makeup in warmer weather. Using primers will help your makeup apply smoothly and help it stay in place, so try using both a face primer and an eyeshadow primer if applying eye makeup. Lock your finished makeup look in place by using a setting spray.

And carry a facial mist with you so you can spritz your face throughout the day for a burst of hydration whenever needed as well as to freshen up your makeup.

4. Should I use setting spray and setting powder?

It is not necessary to use both to sweat-proof makeup, you can choose one or the other depending on what you prefer. In general, setting powders tend to work better for those with oily skin since they will help absorb excess oil and moisture and setting sprays tend to be better for those with dry skin. However, you can also use both to give your makeup extra staying power. It is also a good idea to use both in extreme heat.

5. What is the difference between setting powder and finishing powder?

A setting powder is meant to set your base makeup in place helping it to last longer. It is applied on top of your base product/s- either liquid or cream foundation, tinted moisturizer, BB cream, and concealer. A finishing powder, on the other hand, is more like a filter for your face. It is used as the last step in your makeup routine (before a setting/face mist if using one), it helps smooth out any fine lines and can blur pores while providing a beautiful airbrushed finish to your look.

Finishing powders can also help even out your makeup and help blend it all together. You can use both in your makeup routine, both are also not necessary but do have great benefits when used.

If you are a complete beginner to makeup, you should definitely check out our Beginners Guide To Makeup Do’s and Dont’s

Whether you’re in Paris (where it was 103 degrees last week) or in ceaselessly humid New York, it’s clear we’ve reached a summer melting point for makeup. “Just don’t wear any!” is easy beauty advice to give, but if you’re heading to a special event, have a blemish you want to conceal, or just feel like wearing some makeup, being barefaced may not cut it. To find out how to tailor your beauty routine to cope with “hot in herre” temperatures (emphasis on the double R), the Cut spoke to several makeup artists for their tips and product picks to fend off heat waves and muggy days.

Yes, a primer might help. Every hot-weather-makeup-tip roundup you’ve read suggests primers, which act as a grip for face-coverage makeup — and that may be helpful to an extent. Makeup artist Suzy Gerstein explains: “Primers are made for humid weather because they extend the life of the foundation you apply over the top, keeping it looking fresh and groovy all day long.” But Nick Barose, celebrity makeup artist for clients like Lupita Nyong’o, suggests only using it sparingly along the T-Zone, side of the nose, and cheeks. “An overuse of primer can make your skin look too dull or unnaturally flat and matte,” he says. Celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin also suggests avoiding silicon primers because they can dry out the skin, producing more oil. Instead of a primer, he suggests using a good hydration-based lotion. “These are water based and act as a magnet to any foundation you put on top of the skin,” Martin says.

Choose liquid over cream. Liquids and gels are textures that hold up best in humid weather. If you want full coverage, try a liquid, matte foundation. Martin suggests dabbing on the foundation in light layers, and spot treating areas where you need more coverage, such as your T-zone and blemishes.

As a rule, Gerstein says, “Creams are less stable formulations than powders and waterproof gels.” Powders and gels tend to hold up better in warmer, sweatier climates. Your BB creams may not last as long and have a high potential for meltage, depending on how creamy the formula is. When it comes to a cream blush, Barose cautions that you should look for ones that have a dry finish on the skin. “They’ll turn greasy,” he explains. “Avoid ones with shimmer because you’ll look oilier in the heat.” Powder blushes can also look dull and streaky in hot weather.

Look for a “sticky” concealer. If you have PMS face and want to conceal a blemish, try a concealer with a tacky rather than creamy consistency. Gerstein says, “I like a nice “sticky” concealer that stays put where I apply it and is super pigmented so it lasts. I also suggest traveling with a retractable lip brush loaded with your concealer for on-the-go touch-ups.”

Blot, don’t powder away shine. All of our experts suggest minimally using powder when it comes to containing shine. If you continue reapplying powder, it can look cakey with each application. Gerstein uses a powder puff and blotter paper combo to make shine matte on her clients. “Try wrapping a blotting paper around a dry powder puff for even more precision. Blotting papers are great because they absorb excess shine but do not disturb the makeup.” Barose says, “I always alternate between blotting and powder. Too much powder can build up, so I space it out.”

“CYA” when it comes to eyeshadow and eyeliner. At my first job out of college, my boss told me that the most important acronym I would learn in life is to CYA — cover your ass. Apply this methodology to your eye makeup, by doubling up. If you want to wear eyeshadow, try an eyeshadow primer. But you can also add “grip” to your eyeshadow by mixing textures. For example, Gerstein likes applying a non-creasing cream shadow under powder eyeshadow to make it long-wearing and intensify the color. The same goes for eyeliner — try a gel eyeliner, reinforcing the line with a powder shadow on top.

Try a matte or more sheer lip color. Even Barose, who loves to put his clients in vibrant lip colors, tries to go for more sheer or natural-looking colors for the summer. As the weather is naturally going to make your skin slightly shiny, he advises, “Avoid anything too glossy or shiny; just use a bit of sheer balm or lipstick.

Mist. Mist yourself this summer. A fancy floral mist helps to hydrate skin and refresh your makeup, filling in any areas that look patchy or oily. A makeup-setting spray mist can also be an effective last step in a sweatproof routine, designed to keep your look in place all night. But take caution with these mists, as they can make your makeup last up to 16 hours and require a bit of elbow grease to remove. Barose says that they work best if you wear a lot of makeup and want to seal it in place.

Click through the slideshow for product picks built to withstand the heat.