Updated on May 11th, 2026
The summer weather can make it challenging to wear makeup, but with these tips, you can keep your makeup on all day without worrying about the heat melting it off.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through my links, but there is no extra cost to you.
Start with Sunscreen
Before you begin applying any makeup, you should begin with sunscreen because one of the worst things would be to get a burnt face while wearing makeup. I recommend using a sunscreen that is meant for the face, is fragrance-free, and has at least SPF 30. If you have sensitive skin and are prone to breakouts, you can look for mineral-based sunscreens such as the Coola Classic Face Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 ($32). You can also opt for a moisturizer with added SPF if you do not want to use a separate sunscreen, like the Supergoop! Superscreen Rich Hydrating Daily Cream Moisturizer SPF 40 ($48). One of my personal recommendations is the Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50.
Prime Prime Prime
Once you have applied your sunscreen or moisturizer, you can begin applying your makeup. The first step I recommend when starting with your makeup is to use a primer for both your face and eyes. A face primer provides a smooth base for your makeup and helps hold your makeup in place during the day. If you have oily skin, you can purchase an oil-free or mattifying primer that prevents your face from becoming oily and shiny, even on hot days. I recommend the NYX Shine Killer Primer ($15) or the Tarte Face Tape Smoothing Primer ($34). If you wear eye makeup, I definitely recommend using an eyeshadow primer since it prevents your eyeshadow and eyeliner from fading, creasing, and smudging even in the heat. You can try the NYX Ultimate Shadow & Liner Primer ($11) or my personal holy grail, the Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($28).
Less is More
For the rest of your makeup, I recommend using fewer products to prevent your makeup from melting in the heat, especially if you are wearing a mask. Instead of using a full coverage foundation that has a tendency to melt, you can use a light oil-free foundation such as the Juvia’s Place I am Magic Powder Foundation ($20) or even a tinted moisturizer or BB cream such as the Tarte BB Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 ($42). You can even skip foundation and use a concealer, such as for dark under-eye circles or blemishes. A couple of concealers I recommend are the NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Concealer ($9.50) and the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer ($32). For your cheeks and lips, you can look into stains since stains are less likely to melt off in the summer heat.
Waterproof It
If you do want to use a full coverage foundation or do a full face of makeup in the summer, I recommend looking for a waterproof version to ensure your makeup stays put. There are waterproof concealers, foundations, blushes, mascaras, eyeliners, eyeshadow, and lipsticks available. The waterproof version of your favorite makeup will guarantee that your makeup is sweat-proof and water-resistant in the heat.
Finish with Setting Spray
Regardless of what makeup you decide to use, the last step should be to apply a setting spray. A setting spray will prevent your makeup from melting, fading, creasing, or settling into fine lines, even on a hot, humid day. I recommend the NYX Matte Finish Makeup Setting Spray ($10) or the Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray ($34). If you use a setting spray, you are less likely to need to touch up your makeup during the day.
Blot During the Day
Sweating is inevitable in the heat, and to avoid potentially ruining your makeup, you can carry a pack of blotting paper with you. The blotting paper will absorb any oil and sweat while keeping your makeup intact. For recommendations, you can try the Winky Lux Rose Tea Blotting Sheets ($10).
For even more tips, you can read 42 Pro Tips And Hacks To Get Your Makeup To Stay On Longer.
The Blog Brew is a collaboration between myself and 8 other lovely bloggers. Each month we will each write a post relating to the Blog Brew Collab on our own blogs.
For this month, our theme is Summer.
- July 23rd – Ways to Boost Your Mood During Summer (+ Help with Reverse SAD) with @Chimmykins
- July 30th – My post! Thank you for reading!
I have oily skin so I rarely wear any make up during the hotter summer months because no matter what primers I use, it just slides off by around mid-morning 🙁 That said, I found a couple of tinted moisturisers from Bare Minerals that I’ve fallen in love with – just a hint of coverage but so sheer it’s like my skin only better 🙂
Ooo I have oily skin too so I’ll be sure to check out the tinted moisturizers from Bare Minerals!
Love this post!
Thank you!
Great tips Karalee! This week has been so hot. I apply Kiko Milano powder foundation (with SPF of course) with a wet sponge. That way I get a super natural looking thin base that allows freckles to shine through. I love Revolution Hyalronic Fix because it keeps the look on all day. I love a matte red lip with an almost bare face. At the moment I am using a lipmarker, also from Kiko Milano. That stuff never comes off! My favorite sunscreen is Elizabeth Arden’s 8h Sun Defenece For Face SPF50. I have been buying it for years.
Thank you! I should definitely look into the Kiko Milano powder foundation b/c I love using powder foundations during the summer & it’s great it has SPF too! I can look into their lipmarkers too!
I’ve been using a face sunscreen from a drugstore in Denmark & I love it b/c it’s natural & has hyaluronic acid as well
Your sunscreen sounds lovely! Which brand it is? I might be able to get it in Finland or online if they ship to NL.
It’s Matas & their Natur line, but I checked their FAQs & they only deliver to addresses in Denmark.
Thanks for checking!
The All Nighter setting spray is one of my favs! I also really like Makeup Revolution’s Matte Fixing Spray or their Sport Fix spray, both work really well and don’t break me out 😊
🌿 Marissa Belle × marsybun.com 🌿
Ooo I should check out Makeup Revolution’s setting sprays! Both of those sound great!
Great blog post and recommendations! I love Kiko Wet and Dry Powder Foundation (lightweight SPF 30 and cute compact silver packaging with a square sponge and mirror). I have used it on really hot days as wel as not so hot days and it is good— bought twice and will always use it.
UD Primer Potion is wonderful, isn’t it? Plan to get another tube. Wet N Wild Photofocus primer is good too.
Kiko Water Shadow is great too. I’m using Maybelline Tatoo Shadow. I use Make Up Revolution Setting Spray (Oil Control or Matte). Cream eyeshadow stays on better.
Thank you!
I’ll definitely have to try out Kiko’s powder foundation especially since it has added SPF! I’ll have to see if they have the Wet n Wild primer here b/c they mainly only sell their brushes.
Someone else suggested the Makeup Revolution setting spray so I’ll have to try that one too!
Great tips and recommendations! I feel like these will help a lot of people, for sure! I don’t wear makeup very often, but I’ll definitely keep this information in mind if I ever wear it during the summer. Wonderful post! Thanks so much for sharing! 😊💕
Thank you & I’m glad to hear that! I don’t wear makeup every day too especially if I’m just taking my daughter to kindergarten for the day
You’re very welcome! And it was a great post! 😄🎶
I have never used a setting spray.
Setting spray is a gamechanger! Before I used setting spray, I would wear a powder foundation & after a couple of hours, I would have to touch it up. However, with setting spray, I don’t have to worry about touching up my makeup all the time!
The sweat from boxing, and lifting streak my face.
Someone in another comment suggested the Makeup Revolution Sport Fix Setting Spray & the description of it says “Keep your makeup looking effortlessly flawless through the toughest of workouts.”
I would be giving it a hefty test.