How to Set Your Makeup in the Summer, According to Experts

There’s nothing quite as brutal as the summer heat—it’s unrelenting, unavoidable, and unbearable at times. But your perfectly applied makeup is the biggest enemy of a hot, humid summer. Walking outside after an immaculate makeup application runs the risk of the makeup completely sliding off your face within an hour. And that, we must say, is entirely unacceptable.

Setting sprays and powders can help keep makeup on your face, but are they enough? We asked five makeup artists for their best tips and tricks for ensuring your makeup is humidity-proof so you can focus on beating the heat and not the heat ruining your beat.

Read on for the best ways to set your makeup in the summer, according to experts.

Prioritize Skin Prep

Prepping your skin is essential for managing oil production and keeping the skin hydrated, thus increasing the makeup’s longevity. “At a time when skincare has become ceremonial, I find it more strategic to load up on serums and treatments at bedtime but do less in the morning,” Thomas says.

Start the day with one moisturizing product and an SPF product to keep your skin conditioned in a lightweight way. Rodriguez recommends using a tinted sunscreen such as Naturium Dew-Glow Tinted Moisturizer SPF 50. “They even out the skin tone, which makes makeup application less heavy,” she adds.

Make Sure to Apply Primer

Makeup primers aren’t a filler step; they’re a key tool for smoothing the skin’s surface and managing oil production. Byrd prefers primers like Danessa Myricks Beauty Oil, which can help control oil production and keep the skin hydrated throughout the day without feeling greasy. “If you’re extra oily, follow up with the Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm Powder ($36) in Universal (or your appropriate shade) to add another layer of shine protection,” Byrd says. “Formulated with Upsalite technology, this balm-to-powder game changer will absorb sweat and provide a beautiful blurring effect.”

Our experts also like to use sweat-absorbing and mattifying primers like One/Size Beauty Secure The Sweat Waterproof Mattifying Primer or Smashbox Photo Finish Control Mattifying Primer. Both help to inhibit sweat production, which adds to the longevity of the makeup application.

Apply Makeup in Thin Layers

Our experts recommend applying makeup in thin layers to make it last. “The most important thing you can do to get long-wear makeup in the summer heat is to apply your complexion products in very thin layers,” Patinkin explains. “Too much product or very dewy products can melt or slide in the heat. In these scenarios, you need more powder to set your makeup in place, which can give it a cakey look.”

Patinkin uses a dense angled brush, like the Jenny Patinkin Complexion Brush for foundation and the Small Angled Multi-Blender for concealer, to spread as thin a layer as possible so it can meld with the skin. Byrd adds: “When you work in thin layers, you’re less likely to have your makeup separate by the end of the day. Be strategic with your placement and techniques to work smarter, not harder.”

Don’t Fear Powder

Setting powder is your friend when it comes to makeup longevity on hot days. Many makeup artists recommend applying a light layer of powder after prepping your skin. “You can pre-powder your face before you apply your complexion products like foundation—a loose powder works best,” Rodriguez notes. “When applied and pressed in with a triangle-shaped puff, the light layer of powder works as a mattifying shield under your foundation and greatly decreases slipping and sliding.”

After applying your entire routine, Thomas suggests using a light layer of powder as your final step. However, if you feel the need to apply a generous amount, Thomas says to proceed with caution. “If you’re committed to baking your foundation and concealer with a setting powder, go with pigmented powders that blend into your skin tone; sometimes transparent colorless versions read chalky or ashy, especially when packed on.”

Use Self-Setting Products in Your Routine

For those with dry skin or worry that powder may be too drying, look to self-setting makeup products. “It’s a great time to be a beauty lover because of the advancements in complexion formulas, many of which don’t require setting or baking to be long wearing,” Thomas shares. “MAC Studio Fix Every Wear Allover Face Pen is one of my MVPs because it’s transfer-proof and water-proof, even without setting powder.” Other self-setting complexion products include Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Awakening Concealer and Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Self-Setting Concealer. 

Apply Setting Spray

We all know that setting spray is crucial to survive the summer heat. “The best ones provide a protective layer over your completed look, like shrink wrapping your makeup,” Thomas says, whose personal favorite is MAC Fix+ Stay Over Setting Spray because it provides longevity and doesn’t contain drying alcohols. 

However, setting spray shouldn’t be saved for the final step. To ensure your makeup will not budge, use a setting spray after each step of your routine. “Once you finish applying your liquids and creams, use a setting spray and let it dry,” Byrd says. “Once you finish setting with powders, apply some more and let it dry completely.”

For extra measure, Byrd and Patinkin recommend spraying a damp beauty sponge with setting spray and gently pressing the products into the skin to lock them into place. These makeup artists’ go-to setting sprays include the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Spray, Urban Decay All-Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray, One/Size On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Setting Spray, and the hard-to-find Kryolan Fixing Spray.

Keep a Few Makeup Sponges Handy

During the summer, Patinkin recommends packing a few makeup sponges for touch-ups. “I use a damp sponge to pat over foundation and concealer to lift away any excess product that might slip or slide as the day goes on,” she says. “This is a great way to ensure that all your complexion products are melded with the skin.”

Keep a powder puff in your bag to absorb shininess on your T-zone during the day. “Load a powder puff up with setting powder and take it with you for touch-ups in case you’re feeling oily throughout the day,” Levi suggests.