Our Best 9 Tips For How To Sweat Proof Makeup For Summertime Heat

Summer is heating up, and with heat comes sweat. You still want to look cute and put together in very hot weather, without dealing with makeup that melts, cracks, or slides off by midday.

The good news is that you can keep your look fresh. Below are our 9 best tips to help sweat proof your makeup, from skincare and base to cheeks, eyes, and lips.

Start With Your Skincare

The key to sweat proofing your makeup is light layers that start with skincare, especially your moisturizer. In warmer weather, switch to a lighter texture, and if you have oily skin, consider an oil free option.

SPF is non negotiable. To avoid extra layers, choose a moisturizer that already contains SPF or use a lightweight sunscreen that sits well under makeup. Whatever you choose, give each product a few minutes to soak in and dry before applying the next step.

Wear Less Makeup To Sweat Proof Your Look

When it comes to summer makeup, less is more. A lighter base is crucial if you want to avoid cracks and excess shine. Lightweight foundations or skin tints are great choices for hot weather.

Skip thick, heavy cream foundations that can feel suffocating and look extra shiny. Instead, try a lightweight tinted moisturizer with SPF so you get a hint of coverage and sun protection in one step.

You can always spot conceal where needed. Use concealer only on areas that need extra coverage, then leave the rest of the skin as bare as you feel comfortable with. If your skin is very oily, a light layer of powder foundation can work well, but avoid piling it on since too much powder in the heat can look cakey and cracked.

If you have pretty clear skin and no real problem areas, you can even skip base makeup entirely and simply focus on skincare and SPF.

Try A Face Primer And Setting Powder

Another way to sweat proof your base is with a good face primer. Primers smooth the skin so your foundation or tinted moisturizer glides on more evenly and wears longer. Apply primer after skincare and before your base, and allow it to dry for a couple of minutes.

A setting powder is especially helpful if you have oily or combination skin and you are using a light liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer. It helps hold your base in place, prevents it from rubbing off, and keeps shine at bay.

The key is a light dusting rather than a heavy layer. After your base has set for a few minutes, lightly press or sweep setting powder over the T zone and any areas that tend to get shiny. Too much powder in the heat can emphasize texture and cracking, so go easy.

Use A Powder Bronzer

A soft, natural bronze brings your whole summer look to life. While you want to avoid a face full of powder products, you also do not want every product to be cream based in hot weather.

A powder bronzer is a great middle ground because it is lightweight, easy to blend, and less likely to slide around than a cream when you start to sweat. Sundrop Bronzer is a buildable, natural looking shade that flatters many skin tones without feeling heavy or chalky.

Using a soft brush like the Vegan Blush Brush, dust bronzer only where the sun would naturally hit your face: forehead, cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and chin. This gives you a warm, sun kissed look that still feels light and comfortable.

Apply Eye Primer

If you are wearing eye makeup, an eyeshadow primer is a must in the heat. It helps shadow apply smoothly, keeps pigment vibrant, and prevents creasing and cracking on warm lids.

Prime Time Eye Shadow Primer is lightweight, so you only need a tiny amount. Tap a thin layer across the lid and let it dry for a couple of minutes before applying eyeshadow.

For summer, choose lighter versions of your go to shades and avoid heavy, very deep tones that can look harsh in bright light. You can explore gentle, talc free shades in the talc free eyeshadow collection.

This gluten free, hypoallergenic eye primer reduces creasing and helps shadows wear comfortably, even if your eyes are sensitive or easily irritated.

Try A Blush Stain To Sweat Proof Cheeks

Blush adds a healthy, lively pop of color to your face. You can absolutely wear powder blushes in summer as long as you apply them lightly. If you want to cut down on powder, try a blush stain instead.

Blush stains are very lightweight and tend not to crack in the heat the way heavy powder layers can. RAL lipsticks are wonderfully multi use and can double as cheek stains.

Dot a tiny amount of lipstick on the apples of your cheeks, then blend with clean fingers or a brush. Start with less than you think you need and add gradually so you keep that soft, sheer wash of color.

Use Lipsticks As A Lip Stain

Lip stains are perfect for summertime because they feel weightless and tend to last longer on the lips without sliding around the way a full coverage lipstick sometimes can in heat.

To turn any favorite RAL lipstick shade into a stain, apply a small amount to your fingertip first, then press and dab it into your lips. Repeat once or twice to build the intensity you like.

To avoid dry looking lips, prep first with Rallye Balm. Apply a thin layer, let it soak in for a couple of minutes, then blot lightly before adding your stain.

Finish Your Makeup With A Setting Spray

Setting sprays are designed to help your makeup last longer by reducing fading, smudging, and cracking. Once you have finished your look, mist a setting spray over your face as the final step to help lock everything in place.

Hold the bottle a little away from your face and mist in a light, even layer. Avoid soaking the skin, especially in humid weather where too much moisture on top can work against you.

Touch Up Without Caking

It is smart to carry a few key products with you for quick touch ups when you start to feel shiny or sweaty. Blotting papers are excellent for removing sweat and excess oil without disturbing your makeup.

If your makeup starts to look a bit dull, you can freshen your complexion with a light dusting of a finishing powder that has a hint of luminosity. Press, do not rub, to avoid moving your base.

A pressed powder compact is easier to travel with than loose powder and less messy in your bag. A hydrating face mist is also lovely in hot weather to give your skin a quick burst of moisture and refresh your makeup without breaking it up. And of course, keep your chosen lip color with you so you can touch up whenever you need it.

Final Look

Noemi is wearing a face primer, tinted moisturizer, Sundrop Bronzer and Tango Blush applied lightly on the cheeks. On her eyes she is wearing Prime Time Eye Shadow Primer with Heirloom, Blondeshell, and Buttercream eyeshadows plus The Lash Project Mascara. She used brow gel from another brand, since Red Apple Lipstick does not currently offer brow gel.

On her lips, Noemi prepped with Rallye Balm and then applied Coral Crush lipstick as a stain. She finished the look with a face mist to set and refresh her makeup.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are just starting to build your routine, you may also love reading our Beginner's Guide To Makeup Do's And Don'ts.