HEAT-PROOF MAKE-UP: HOW TO STAY LOOKING FRESH WHEN IT'S HOT
- Chloe
- Jun 28
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 20
When the temperature starts creeping towards 40°C, even the best make-up will be put to the test.
As a professional make-up artist with almost 14 years of experience, I’ve worked through countless heatwaves and scorching summer wedding mornings.
The number one compliment I receive from clients is always the same:
“My make-up lasted all day”
Even when temperatures have been unbearable, my Brides and clients have finished the day looking almost exactly as they did when they left my chair (some have even told me it still looked good the next morning!)
After years of trial and error, I’ve learnt that long-lasting summer make-up isn’t about piling on more products, it’s about using fewer, smarter ones.
Here’s exactly how to keep your make-up looking fresh when the heat is against you…
P.S. Everything that's underlined and in bold throughout this post is shoppable!
Most products are available on Look Fantastic, and you can use my code: LFTFCHLOEMYKEL to save some £££ on your order.
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Less Is More
This probably isn’t what you expected me to say, but during a heatwave, now is not the time for full-coverage foundation.
The more product sitting on your skin, the more there is to separate, crease and slide around once the heat kicks in.
Trust me: slightly less coverage always looks better than patchy, sweaty foundation.
For everyday make-up, think “your skin, but better.”
Instead of reaching straight for foundation, try:
A tinted SPF
Bronzing drops mixed into your moisturiser or alone
A lightweight skin tint if you want a little extra coverage
Here's some of my most used recommendations:
Your skin will feel lighter, look fresher and stay looking better for much longer.
But what if you’re going to an event?
If you’ve got a wedding, dinner, night out or special occasion, I completely understand that bronzing drops alone aren’t going to cut it.
You absolutely can wear a full face of make-up - you just need to apply it differently.
My rule?
Prime. Layer. Set.
Prime:
A hydrating, gripping primer is your best friend.
My favourite is the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer.
Layer:
Apply your skincare in thin layers, allowing each one to absorb before moving onto the next.
If you have a handheld fan, even better - it speeds everything up.
Do exactly the same with your foundation.
Instead of applying one thick layer, build up very thin layers until you reach the coverage you want.
As soon as you’ve achieved it… stop.
Most people wear far more foundation than they actually need.
The same goes for concealer - less product under the eyes means less creasing later.
Set:
As soon as you’ve finished applying your cream and liquid products, press a loose powder over the skin before anything has the chance to move.
Don’t dust it on - press it in.
Pro tip: A velour puff is brilliant for this, especially around the under eyes.
It presses the powder into the skin without disturbing your make-up and leaves a much smoother finish than a brush.
One of my favourites is the Laura Mercier Ultra Blur Loose Powder.
It sets make-up beautifully while helping blur enlarged pores and oily areas.
For bronzer and blush, I’d usually recommend powder formulas in hot weather.
If you love cream products, that’s absolutely fine - just make sure you immediately set them with either translucent powder or a matching powder bronzer or blush.
Stains Are Your Secret Weapon
If I could only recommend one category of products for summer, it would be stains.
Lip and cheek stains are lightweight, long-lasting and don’t disappear the moment you start sweating.
They’re also incredibly low maintenance.
Instead of constantly checking whether your blush has vanished or your lipstick has worn away, stains simply stay put.
For bronzer, I love By Terry Tea to Tan. Spray a little onto your brush and blend around the temples, cheekbones and jawline for a gorgeous sun-kissed glow.
For cheeks, Benefit's Benetint is still one of my all-time favourites, and so many brands have jumped on the trend now too.
By Terry do a gorgeous Cherry version, and e.l.f.'s more affordable offering is meant to be brilliant, but I haven't tried it for myself just yet.
For lips, I love using a lip stain with an e.l.f. Lip Oil over the top.
You get beautiful colour that lasts all day while still keeping your lips glossy and hydrated.
Wonderskin Lip Stains are another brilliant option if longevity is your priority.
Because let’s be honest…
When it’s scorching hot outside and you’re already overstimulated, the last thing you want to be doing is reapplying your lip liner every hour, right?
Your Skincare Matters More Than Your Make-Up
One of the biggest mistakes people make in summer is skipping moisturiser.
Please don’t.
When your skin becomes dehydrated, it often responds by producing even more oil.
That excess oil mixes with sweat, and suddenly your make-up is sliding off your face.
Hydration is still essential, it just needs to be lightweight.
Look for products that feel fresh rather than rich.
A few summer skincare staples I swear by:
Healthy, hydrated skin gives every product you apply afterwards a much better chance of lasting.
Do you always need primer?
Not necessarily.
If you’re only wearing skincare, SPF and a little concealer, you can usually skip primer altogether.
Primer becomes much more useful once you’re adding foundation or a skin tint because it creates an extra layer of grip and helps prevent your base from breaking down throughout the day.
Set That M.F!
If there’s one step I never skip, it’s setting my make-up properly.
And yes…I use two setting sprays.
Non-negotiable.
The first melts all your powders and creams together so your make-up looks seamless and skin-like.
The second locks everything into place for maximum longevity.
Think of it like hairspray for your face.
My go-to combination:
Together they give your make-up the best possible chance of surviving heat, humidity, weddings, festivals and long summer days.
Because if your make-up can survive one of my Bridal mornings, it can survive pretty much anything.
My Summer Make-up Survival Kit
These are the 5 things that live in my bag all summer long (and what I recommend to my clients to help them stay looking fresh all day)...
Pressed Powder
A handbag essential in hot weather.
Perfect for quick touch-ups throughout the day, helping to absorb excess shine without disturbing the rest of your make-up.
If your foundation tends to fade around your nose or redness starts to peek through, opt for a slightly tinted pressed powder to refresh your complexion.
If you simply want to mattify, a translucent powder is the perfect choice.
My recommendations:
Translucent: Laura Mercier Real Flawless Pressed Powder
Mini Velour Puff
Honestly, everyone needs one.
These little puffs are brilliant for absorbing oil and pressing powder into the skin without disturbing your make-up underneath.
I’ve always got one in my bag, and I even give them to my Bridal clients.
Lip Oil, Balm or Gloss
Once your lip stain is on, all you need is something nourishing and low maintenance to top up throughout the day.
No mirror needed.
Handheld Fan
Because… duh.
Not only does it keep you cool, but it’s also brilliant when you’re applying your make-up.
I use mine between skincare layers, after foundation and after setting spray to help everything dry properly.
Spray SPF
One of the easiest things to forget is reapplying SPF.
A spray SPF like the La Roche-Posay SPF50+ Face Mist lets you top up your protection throughout the day without ruining your make-up.
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Summer make-up doesn’t have to be complicated, it’s just about using the right products in the right way.
Good skin prep.
Thin layers.
Strategic powder.
A great setting spray.
And most importantly, try not to touch your face every five minutes, please...
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Leave a comment below and let me know what tips you'll be trying and what products you'll be buying!
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