It’s hot here in Utah and while the humidity here is higher than when we lived in Colorado, it is absolutely trivial compared to the southern part of the US. I’ve lived in Virginia for most of my life, and we southern girls know a thing or two about sweating it out at garden parties and Bar-B-Q’s while trying to look cool and fresh!
Makeup in humidity requires a different approach. In the summertime, we have to change things up a bit from our regular routine to avoid the dreaded makeup slide. You know what I’m talking about- when you step outside in the sauna- like conditions and your carefully applied makeup quite literally, slides right off your face!
If you live in a climate in which you have never experienced this phenomena consider yourself lucky- and warned.
Here are ten tips to help your makeup stay looking fresh, even in the humidity.
1. Use an oil free moisturizer and sunscreen.
You want to keep the oils super- duper light in the humidity, so begin with products that are oil free so that you can start with a dry-touch base layer. I won’t go into the whole mineral vs. chemical sunscreen in this post, but for mineral sunscreen try this one by Australian Gold . I also like this sunscreen by Arizona Sun– Its oil free, light and non greasy w/ SPF of 30.It goes on super easy under makeup! You’ve heard all about my current, every day skin care products, but when I have to be in the humidity this is my go-to, from Mario Badescu. It is an oil free moisturizer with a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen all in one. I love this brand.
2. Use a Primer.
This is the time of year when a primer makes a big difference! It’s light and silky, but really gives your foundation the staying power that you are looking for. If you’d like to skip a step, mix your primer with your foundation either in the palm or on the back of your hand before applying. Studio FX Anti Aging Primer is my hands down, high end favorite. It’s pricey but you only need a pea sized amount and it really ,really helps with fine lines. My drugstore pick, a steal at $6.47, is Rimmel Stay Matte Primer.
3.Use a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation.
If you don’t need a lot of coverage, then really keep it light by switching your foundation out for a tinted moisturizer instead. E.L.F makes a good one and Laura Mercier is a pricier favorite with a cult following.
4. Powder.
Instead of setting your makeup with powder all over your face, just concentrate on the places that tend to get oily for you. For example, just very lightly powder only the T zone area. I love love LOVE this setting powder by Well People. I mean LOVE! It is all natural and in my opinion it holds its own against much more expensive translucent powders! 
5.Instead of heavy lip gloss or or lipstick, swap them for a light lip stain instead.
Lip stain will stay on much longer and won’t “melt” off in the heat. Try this gorgeous, sheer cheek and lip stain by Tints and Sass, which honestly, is just a horrible name- but a great, lip stain!
6. Blotting Papers
These little doo-dads are a lifesaver in the sweltering heat of the south. You can pull them out all Scarlet O’Hara-like and just blot the areas of your face that are sweating. These papers pull the moisture off, without pulling off all of your makeup!
7. Waterproof/Sweatproof mascara.
My personal favorite is still Loreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes mascara. It is 2 steps, but gives you amazing full, long lashes that will only come off with warm water. I am currently trying about 15 different mascaras for an upcoming review, but so far- this is still my fav.
8. Eye Shadow Primer
If you are using eyeshadow, use a shadow primer first to keep your shadow from sweating off and creasing up on your lids<cringe>. Shadow Insurance by Too Faced is the only one that works for me. It just takes the teensiest amount, but this stuff really makes your shadow stay put for up to 24 hours!
9. Dampen your brush tip
Another tip for long wearing eyeshadow in the summertime, is to wet the tip of your brush before you dip it into the shadow. It will wear much longer in the heat with this application. You can just quickly spritz it with one of the setting sprays below.
10. Setting spray.
The final step is to “set” your makeup with a spray to really keep it in place. I’ve mentioned them before but my personal favorites are Evian facial Spray and Mario Badescu, but I have heard from some of my southern beauties that Model In A Bottle is the real-deal, humidity proof setting spray. This is the one to have on hand if you have an outdoor event. This is the powerhouse spray to keep that makeup in place!
These are my humidity/sweat proof makeup tips for the summertime. Do you have anything to add? I’d love to hear about it! What are your makeup tips for the hot, humid weather?
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Keep Cool Until Next Time, Lovelies!
