Summer-Ready Skin: Makeup Tips for Hot and Humid Days

Summer is here, and with it comes sunny days, beach outings, and outdoor adventures. But with the rising temperatures and humidity, achieving a flawless makeup look can feel like a challenge. Melting foundation, smudged mascara, and oily skin can quickly make your makeup look less than fresh. The key to flawless summer makeup is ensuring it’s long-lasting, breathable, and resistant to sweat and humidity.

I’ll share some essential makeup tips for hot and humid days, including recommendations for specific products that will keep you looking fresh, glowing, and fabulous all summer long. Whether you’re heading to the beach or just going about your daily routine, these makeup tips will help you beat the heat.

1. Start with a Good Base: Priming for Longevity

Before applying any makeup, it’s essential to prep your skin with a good primer. A primer helps to smooth the skin’s surface, fill in pores, and create a barrier between your skin and the makeup. On hot and humid days, it’s especially important to choose a primer that controls oil, reduces shine, and increases the longevity of your makeup.

Best Products to Use:

Benefit The POREfessional Pore Primer
Why It’s Great: This primer minimizes the appearance of pores and controls oil, keeping your skin matte and smooth throughout the day. It’s lightweight and has a silky finish, perfect for humid conditions.
How to Use: Apply a small amount to the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) before foundation application. Focus on areas where you tend to get oily or have visible pores.
Where to Buy: Boots, Sephora
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water
Why It’s Great: This multitasking primer refreshes and hydrates the skin while helping to lock in your makeup. It’s also a great option for those with sensitive skin.
How to Use: Mist the primer directly on your face before applying makeup or throughout the day for a quick refresh.
Where to Buy: Cult Beauty, LookFantastic

2. Choose a Lightweight, Long-Lasting Foundation

Heavy foundations can feel suffocating during the summer heat. The best option for hot and humid days is to choose a lightweight, breathable foundation that provides good coverage without clogging your pores or feeling too thick.

Best Products to Use:

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
Why It’s Great: This foundation provides full coverage while controlling oil and mattifying the skin. It’s perfect for a long-lasting, sweat-resistant finish. Plus, it comes in a wide range of shades to suit every skin tone.
How to Use: Apply a thin layer with a foundation brush or makeup sponge for an airbrushed finish. You can build up the coverage if you need more.
Where to Buy: Sephora, Boots
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
Why It’s Great: A great drugstore option, this foundation is designed to control shine and provide a matte finish without feeling heavy. It’s ideal for oily to combination skin types and can last all day.
How to Use: Apply with a makeup sponge or foundation brush for even coverage, focusing on areas where you tend to get shiny.
Where to Buy: Boots, Superdrug

3. Lighten Up Your Concealer

In summer, you don’t want to feel weighed down by thick layers of makeup. Opt for a lightweight, hydrating concealer that will brighten up your under-eye area and cover any blemishes without looking cakey.

Best Products to Use:

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
Why It’s Great: This concealer has a smooth texture that provides medium to full coverage while brightening up the skin. It doesn’t feel heavy and is buildable, which is perfect for hot weather.
How to Use: Apply under your eyes, on blemishes, and areas of redness. Blend with a sponge or your fingers for a natural finish.
Where to Buy: Space NK, Sephora
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer
Why It’s Great: This concealer not only covers dark circles but also hydrates and smooths the skin. Its lightweight formula is ideal for summer use, offering brightening and full coverage without feeling thick.
How to Use: Apply directly to the under-eye area and blend with a makeup sponge for a flawless finish.
Where to Buy: Boots, Amazon

4. Set Everything in Place with a Translucent Powder

To prevent your makeup from melting away throughout the day, setting it with a light dusting of translucent powder is essential. Choose a finely milled powder that will mattify your skin without making it look dry or cakey.

Best Products to Use:

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Why It’s Great: A cult favorite, this loose powder keeps your makeup in place all day while setting everything with a flawless matte finish. It’s great for controlling shine and is perfect for hot, humid weather.
How to Use: Apply a light layer with a fluffy brush to your T-zone and under-eye area to prevent creasing and shine.
Where to Buy: Space NK, John Lewis
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder
Why It’s Great: This affordable powder helps to control shine and mattify the skin without feeling heavy. It’s perfect for setting makeup on hot days.
How to Use: Use a large fluffy brush to dust a thin layer of powder over your face to set your makeup.
Where to Buy: Boots, Superdrug

5. Add a Pop of Color: Blush and Bronzer

Even in hot weather, you can still add a fresh pop of color to your cheeks. Stick to lightweight formulas that won’t slide off your skin or feel too heavy.

Best Products to Use:

Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer
Why It’s Great: A classic bronzer that adds warmth to the skin with a matte finish. It’s perfect for creating a natural-looking tan without shimmer or sparkle.
How to Use: Apply to the hollows of your cheeks, jawline, and temples to add definition and warmth.
Where to Buy: Boots, Sephora
NARS Blush in Orgasm
Why It’s Great: This iconic blush provides a healthy flush of color with a hint of shimmer, making it perfect for summer.
How to Use: Sweep across the apples of your cheeks with a blush brush for a natural flush of color.
Where to Buy: Sephora, Space NK

6. Waterproof Mascara to Beat the Heat

Sweat, humidity, and water can make your mascara run, leaving you with smudged lashes. Choose a waterproof mascara that can withstand everything from sweat to water sports without budging.

Best Products to Use:

Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
Why It’s Great: This mascara delivers voluminous, long lashes while being waterproof. It’s perfect for hot summer days or poolside activities.
How to Use: Apply from root to tip, building up for dramatic lashes.
Where to Buy: Sephora, Boots
Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara
Why It’s Great: This budget-friendly waterproof mascara gives a full, fanned-out effect that’s perfect for summer. It won’t smudge or flake.
How to Use: Apply from the roots to the tips of your lashes, layering for added volume.
Where to Buy: Boots, Superdrug

7. Finish with a Setting Spray

To lock everything in place and ensure that your makeup stays put throughout the day, a setting spray is essential. It not only helps with longevity but also provides a refreshing finish.

Best Products to Use:

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
Why It’s Great: This setting spray is a summer must-have. It keeps your makeup locked in place, even in hot, humid conditions, and leaves your skin with a matte finish.
How to Use: Hold the bottle about 8-10 inches from your face and mist evenly across your makeup for long-lasting wear.
Where to Buy: Sephora, Boots
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
Why It’s Great: A refreshing spray that locks your makeup in place for up to 16 hours, providing a dewy, natural finish.
How to Use: Mist over your face once your makeup is complete to ensure it lasts all day.
Where to Buy: Sephora, Space NK

Summer makeup doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be practical and long-lasting. By choosing the right products, you can keep your makeup fresh and flawless even in the hottest and most humid conditions. Follow these tips, and you’ll be ready to enjoy the sunny season without worrying about makeup meltdown!

Make sure to keep your skin hydrated, your base light, and your products sweat-proof for the best results. Stay cool, stay confident, and rock your summer glow!