Sweat-proof makeup is a non-negotiable during the sweltering Indian summer. The heat is unbearable, temperatures are high, and humidity levels are ridiculous. Your after-lunch face is a ghost of your morning self, and it is only getting worse. Your foundation is most likely slipping off your nose, your eyeliner is smudged before lunch, and you’re not blending into the background of family lunch photos.
It’s probably time to panic, right? Don’t worry, we are going to walk through several techniques and products that are going to change your makeup routine and help you embrace the heat while keeping your face looking polished all day long, no matter how high the thermostat rises.
You may think the secret to a summer beauty routine is to pile on the products. It is actually about choosing the right products and applying them with some planning. You will always start with skincare first, but you need to mix it up in terms of tricking your makeup routine into tolerating the heat and humidity. Whether you are hitting the office, heading to a summer wedding, or out running errands in the hot sun, this guide will provide practical, simple tips for all of your summer needs to avoid a sweat-proof face and show up looking flawless.
Why Summer and Humidity Wreck Your Makeup
The hot, sticky months bring with them plenty of new beauty problems. First, our skin is producing more and more oil and sweat; both factors can cause our makeup, regardless of how finely crafted it is, to melt, smear, wipe off or disappear. If your climate isn’t humid, your makeup will likely clog your pores or slide off your face by lunchtime, and constantly redoing your makeup will just lead to breakouts, irritation, etc.
Humidity is so disruptive because it makes our faces too “wet” for makeup. Humidity expands pores and works to create oil on our skin faster than we can ever imagine, especially in tropical climates like ours!
That slick forehead and shiny nose isn’t just aesthetically or socially annoying-it’s breaking down your makeup chemically! This means the foundation separates, the eye makeup smudges, and your lipstick becomes blotchy and uneven. But don’t worry, with a little extra forethought and planning to buy the right products, we can keep our makeup game strong this summer, no matter how hot it gets!
Prep is Everything: Start With the Right Skincare
If we are being honest, no amount of makeup will mask the disaster that is unprepared skin. If your skin is oily, dehydrated, or flaky under your makeup, any expensive foundation under the circumstances will not perform in the summer.
Think of skincare as your production crew backstage, that works smoothly behind the scenes and lets your work shine when it hits the stage. Cleansing, hydration and protecting your skin from the base of a sweat-proof look. Not only does it help your makeup wear longer, but it reduces the likelihood of your makeup sliding off, settling in fine lines, or becoming patchy halfway through the day. If you want your makeup to survive a hot summer day, skincare must be a priority.
Cleanse Correctly:
Start with a gentle cleanser based on your skin type. In the summer months, try to use gel and foaming formulas to help remove extra oil and impurities from your skin. Stay away from heavy creams during the day. Try to find cleansers with tea tree oil, salicylic acid or witch hazel in your product to help keep your skin clear and less oily.
Hydrate Wisely:
Yes, you still need hydration in the summer months, but ditch the heavy creams. Go for lightweight, water-based moisturisers. Look for hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to hydrate without greasiness. A well-hydrated face will allow for even makeup application and decrease the chances of caking.
Never Skip SPF:
Use a matte-finish, non-comedogenic SPF. Use gel formulas with SPF 30 or higher that do not interfere with your makeup application and also work like a primer. Look for SPF with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum protection without too much shine.
Use a Great Primer:
If you want your makeup to stick, a mattifying primer is extremely important. Consider the primer as the base or foundation coat – this will allow the foundation better adherence to the skin, fill in fine lines, and help control the oil. If your skin is oily, look for a silicone-based primer; if your skin is dry to combination, look for a hydrating primer.
There are even primers that have skincare elements to them – calming redness, minimising pores or providing blue light protection. A primer that has been made for your skin will not only allow your makeup to last longer; it will improve your skin texture over time.
Foundation That Doesn’t Slide Off
When applying your makeup in the summer, remember that less is more! Full-coverage foundations typically will cake up and break down in warm weather.
Pick Your Product Wisely
– Choose a long-wearing, matte, oil-free foundation.
– If your skin is in good condition, you can use a BB cream or tinted moisturiser with SPF.
– Avoid creamy or dewy foundations during the day unless you are going for a glossy editorial look.
Proper Application
– Use a damp beauty blender and gently dab LIGHTLY.
– Set your foundation immediately with a translucent powder, focusing on the areas with the most oil, like the T-zone.
– If you prefer to use a brush, make sure to stipple and not drag the product.
Keep Eyes and Brows in Place
In the summer, you will probably often be told you have melted eyeliner or messy brows. However, you have the answer, as you’ll want to use both waterproof and smudge-proof formulas.
Eyes
– Stick to gel or liquid eyeliners; they will stay put for a longer period of time.
– You will want to use waterproof mascara to avoid looking like a raccoon on a sweaty day.
– You can use cream eyeshadow in the summer if it has a long-wear claim. However, if you want to use powder, try a primer to lock it in.
Brows
– Fill your brows with a waterproof pencil or waterproof pomade.
– Finish your brows with a gel finish to set them.
The Blush and Bronzer Balance
Cream products are in style, but they can slip and slide in the summer heat. That doesn’t mean you have to give up on them completely.
Try Multi-use Tints
Choose lip and cheek tints that stain your skin, as opposed to sitting on top and weighing down your skin.
Powder Finishes for Staying Power
Choose powdered blushes and bronzer for a longer-lasting option. Find finely milled powders that are pigmented.
Pro tip: Layer cream and powder blushes for a colour that will last you all day, just remember to put the cream on first!
Lipsticks That Last and Don’t Melt
In warm weather, lip glosses and creamy lipsticks can feel sticky and wear off quickly. Here’s how to keep your pout:
– Pick long-lasting matte liquid lipsticks.
– Prep your lips by using a scrub and a balm and blotting before adding any colour.
– Lip tints or lip crayons are a nice option too for a more natural, not going anywhere lip.
Make sure to keep lip balm with you throughout the day – just dab it on with a fingertip, don’t swipe, this allows you to keep your lip colour and keep lips hydrated!
Setting It All in Place
When your makeup is complete, you will be ready to finish with a setting spray. It is best to use a mattifying, oil-control setting spray to get the best results for long-lasting makeup.
Use some setting spray before and after your makeup, that’s right: twice! This “sandwiching” technique will really help keep it set!
Some setting sprays even have SPF or pollution protection, providing added protection for the summer months.
Extra Summer Beauty Tips to Keep in Mind
Let’s not kid ourselves, summer can be difficult. Just when you think you’ve got it locked in, humidity starts creeping up, challenging everything you’ve done. But in a few simple steps, you can adjust your summer routine to make it almost foolproof! These extra summer beauty tips may seem basic, but they’re total game changers for keeping your longwear makeup fresh and looking intentional, not greasy.
Here are some more handy hacks:
- Blotting sheets over powder: If you’re sweating, try using blotting papers instead of just putting more powder on, since too much product will also cause you to look cakey.
- Cool your skin: For a refreshing cooling effect that helps with tightening pores, pop your skincare and primer into the refrigerator safely.
- Minimalism wins: Use less with better formulas. More layers are more prone to slipping when it’s hot.
- Touch-up kit: Make sure you carry the essentials like blotting papers, compact powder, a travel-size setting spray and lipstick for quick touch-ups.
- Don’t touch your face: This transfers oils, but it also breaks down your product more quickly.
Products to Look For in Your Sweat-Proof Kit
Consider the following labels when purchasing seasonal makeup:
– Long-Wear
– Matte Finish
– Waterproof
– Humidity-Proof
– Oil-Free
– Non-Comedogenic
If you are breakout or allergy prone, try to do a patch test in-store. Skin reacts differently in the summer versus winter, so test anytime you can.
Don’t Forget Night-Time Skin Recovery
After wearing sweat-proof makeup all day, your skin will need some TLC. Here’s an easy routine to follow:
1. Double cleanse – Start with an oil-based cleanser to break down makeup, followed by a gentle face wash.
2. Tone and treat – Use an alcohol-free toner, and then apply serums or treatment products for your skin.
3. Deep hydration – Use a night cream or gel-based moisturiser to replenish lost hydration.
4. Let your skin breathe – Try to have makeup-free days to avoid congestion.
This night-time recovery ritual allows you to support healthy skin, which optimises makeup the next day.
Who Should Be Extra Cautious in Summer?
If you have sensitive, acne-prone or rosacea-prone skin, it’s important to select sweat-proof, non-pore-clogging, and never irritating makeup. Look for dermatologically-tested, fragrance-free, and breathable products.
If you’re unsure what combination of makeup and skincare is best for your particular skin in summer, don’t hesitate to get a personalized consultation.
Conclusion
With some right skincare prep, some smart product choices, and some tried and trusted formulas, you can have sweat-proof make-up that lasts through the intense Indian summers. You can stay confident all day and look fresh, while your make-up will be as hard-working as you are – minus the sweat!
At Skincare at Apollo, Dr Snehi K Sharma, our aesthetician, can help you with consultation and treatments, custom-made for your individual needs, allowing you to look and feel your most beautiful self without hesitation.
Call us today at +91 9085645000 for your appointment, and we can start your journey towards healthy, glowing skin and make-up that lasts and is your way.
