How to prevent make-up melting off your face this summer

Summertime is great for many things, but it can also wreak havoc on your make-up.

This week, Britain is set for a scorching heatwave, with temperatures predicted to soar as high as 30°C in southern England.

With heat and humidity at an all-time high, you might think it’s pointless to even wear make-up in the first place given that it might just slide off your face anyway but, if you want to wear it, don’t give up just yet.

While it is true that it can be difficult to keep your makeup looking fresh in sweltering climes, there are ways to ensure that your foundation, mascara and contour stay in place, even through sweat.

To help you beat the heatmakeup, we’ve spoken to three leading make-up artists to put together a no-sweat survival guide to wearing make-up this summer.

A detailed view of makeup.

Prime Time

According to make-up artist Lisa Potter-Dixon, who co-hosts the podcast Life & Lipstick and has written two best-selling beauty books, all good heatproof make-up should start with prepping and priming the skin.

Potter-Dixon suggests starting with a few squirts of moisturiser on your face to add hydration as this will help your make-up last longer and sit better.

When it comes to choosing a primer, she suggests opting for something lightweight that will take away any excess oil.

Alternatively, if you prefer a glow during summer, priming filter of some brands are a great option as it will help to even out your base while adding a “lit within” look.

Rachel Hardie, Nars senior lead artist, goes one step further, admitting she likes to “multiprime” – a technique that involves layering two different priming formulas – during a heatwave by using the brand’s product to absorb the shine and the radiance to give added glow.

Makeup stylists at the Maybelline New York. AFP

Ace your base

Now that you have your oil under control by using a primer, Rachel O’Donnell, MAC global senior artist, says the next step should be looking for water-resistant, sweat and humidity proof products that will “tackle the humidity in the air and the sweat on your skin”.

For this, O’Donnell recommends a formula such as Mac products promises to last up to 24 hours and doubles up as concealer.

Alternatively, Potter-Dixon suggests using a lightweight formula such as a tinted SPF.

For optimum results, the make-up artist advises applying your foundation with a damp beauty blender to really work the product into the skin.

Waterproof everything

Waterproof products are great for super-sweaty days, particularly when it comes to avoiding pesky “panda eyes.”

The make-up artists we spoke to recommended a number of expert formulas to stop your mascara running.

But, it’s not just your eye make-up that needs attention. Potter-Dixon also recommends investing in waterproof products for your lips and eyebrows.

Ditch the powders

It’s not just mascara that requires a change in formula when the temperatures soar.

Regrettably, sweat can cause powder products to streak when you get hot and bothered, so switching out powder blushes and eyeshadows for cream or gel-based versions is the perfect solution.

Hardie suggests investing in a multitasking product like Nars’ The Multiple which can be used on the eyes, lips and cheeks for an effortless “watercolour veil of colour”.

Lock it in

If you know that you’re going to be out all day and don’t want to have to worry about constant touch ups or your make-up fading then a setting spray is the answer.

“Setting sprays are a great way to lock your make-up in,” Potter-Dixon says.

“Simply spritz your face once your look is complete, holding the spray around 30cm away.”

“Prep + Prime Fix + is a cool glass of water for thirsty skin – it refreshes parched, hot completions while also extending your make-up’s life,” O’Donnell says.

Not only does it hydrate and set your make-up, the setting spray comes in both a large and a handy handbag friendly size – making it perfect all hot climates be it poolside or the intensities of London tube.

The Independent