It’s the height of summer. The days are longer and the temperatures are maxing out, and that can be a death sentence for a full face of makeup. But no matter the strength of the heatwave, we have some can’t-miss tips to extend the life of your look, protect and prime your skin, and even help beat the heat.
Featured Experts
- Doris Day, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York
- Morgan Rabach, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York
- Natalie Dresher is a makeup artist based in Miami
- Diamond Hannah is director of product marketing at Sol De Janeiro
- Danielle Carolan is a beauty guru and TikTok star
The Most Important Step
Let’s be clear: no matter the temperature outside, you need to wear sunscreen.
New York dermatologist Doris Day, MD explains that sun protection is an all-year issue. “The truth is that UV rays are present every day, all year round and incidental exposure counts the same as intentional exposure,” Dr. Day says. “This is why you need to apply proper SPF every single day.”
And the good news is, there are plenty of SPF formulas that actually help keep makeup in place.
“When it’s particularly hot out and I need my client’s makeup (or my own!) to last all day through the heat and protect against the sun, I never skip out on SPF or layering products,” says Miami makeup artist Natalie Dresher. “I always start off with a makeup-friendly SPF. My favorite at the moment is the Fig. 1 Mineral Sunscreen, which has ingredients like hyaluronic acid which helps prep the skin and moisturize it in preparation for makeup. The milky, slightly tacky texture layers great with foundation and powder as well, gripping the products into place.”
Staying Cool in a Heatwave
Just like you need to make sure you’re drinking water during a hot day, your skin also needs to stay hydrated. “Hydrated skin is stronger skin, so opt for lightweight, oil-free moisturizers that allow skin to breathe,” says New York dermatologist Morgan Rabach. You can also up your skin’s moisture content by paying attention to the formulas used throughout your routine, including sun protection.
“When we’re out in the sun for extended periods of time, not only does our skin begin to feel hot, but the sun’s rays also gradually dehydrate the skin and deplete its supply of natural oils,” explains Diamond Hannah, director of product marketing at Sol de Janeiro. “That is why after a long day at the beach your skin feels dry, tight and uncomfortable. The coconut water in the Rio Radiance SPF 50 Body Spray ($36) formula restores the skin’s hydration levels reducing the dry, tight feeling of the skin, and the cooling effect cues this process to the consumer. So, to keep the skin’s water content at its optimal level, re-application is necessary.”
Make Your Makeup Last
This is the time to turn to sweat- and water-proof formulas, and you’ll want to opt for low-oil or oil-free products that offer shine control. There are also techniques you can use to keep makeup in place.
“Another key technique is layering products,” Dresher explains. “Make sure to layer your cream products with powder products. For example in the hotter months, if I use a cream blush, I always set it into place with a powder blush.”
You can also help beat the heat by limiting how much product you’re actually wearing. “A tip I learned from my friend Cat, a makeup artist, is to skip the full face of foundation when it’s super hot,” says beauty guru Danielle Carolan. “Instead, use just concealer and apply Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter ($46) over top. This lighter approach doesn’t melt in the heat or get cakey and it gives a nice summer glow.
Makeup Essentials to Beat the Heat
Weleda Skin Food Light ($20)
