How to master wearing makeup in the sun

When it comes to getting ready for a day in the sun, wearing makeup might be the last thing on your mind. After all, who wants to have to deal with smudgy eyeliner and melting foundation?

As the temperature increases, your skin loses more water yet produces more sweat and sebum, so wearing makeup whilst this happens can leave you looking shiny, smudgy, and oily.¹

While letting your skin breathe in the heat is a great idea, if the thought of going out in the sun with a bare face fills you with dread, there are a few easy things you can do to maximise the staying power of your makeup in hot weather.

Here are our eight top tips for wearing makeup in the sun.

In the heat of the summer months, less is more when it comes to your makeup. Makeup tends to move around a lot when it’s hot out, so simplifying your makeup routine in the summer is an excellent way to stop your makeup from smudging or creasing.

If you can, cut back on heavier makeup products like thick foundations and instead opt for lighter products like a tinted moisturiser or even just concealer or bronzer.

The one product that you simply have to wear when you’re going to be spending time in the sun is SPF. Your skin needs protection all year round from the sun’s UV rays to stop you from getting sunburnt and damaging your skin, but this is even more true in the summer when the sun’s rays are at their strongest!²

You shouldn’t rely on just makeup products with SPF in them, though. You need to be applying a good layer of SPF underneath your makeup and even reapply it during the day to properly protect your skin.³ Don’t forget your lips and scalp too!

For the best results, apply your sun cream after you’ve moisturised but before you add any foundation, and top it up throughout the day with a powder foundation that contains SPF – this helps you stay matte and protected.

When you’re out in the sun, and it’s hot, you’ll no doubt sweat and look a little shinier than normal. But choosing the right products can help to keep you keep the sweat at bay.

If you’re after a natural glow or an easy tan in the summer without baking in the sun, a bronzer is your new best friend. Bronzers help to add warmth and a subtle glow to your skin, mimicking the way the sun will brown your face. Powder bronzers are super easy to apply and are less likely to move around in the summer heat.

For an effortless, sun-kissed look, apply your bronzer to the high points of your face where the sun would naturally hit you, like your cheekbones, forehead, chin, and nose. You can even apply a little bronzer to your neck and collarbone for a seamless finish.

Setting powders and sprays are essential final steps to completing your summer makeup look. Use a sponge or fluffy brush to set any oily areas (especially your t-zone) with a light powder. You can easily through your powder in your bag for use during the day too! Or invest in a pack of blotting papers to pat away any excess oil.

Then, once you’ve completed your makeup, finish off with a spritz of setting spray to seal your look.

If you love to swim or even if you just want budge-proof makeup, you want to make sure you opt for waterproof makeup - particularly your sun cream and mascara (waterproof mascara is great for stopping you from having panda eyes after getting out of the pool!)

Lots of brands offer waterproof versions of most of their products, so you’ll likely be able to get your hands on water-resistant versions of your holy grail makeup products. Why not try a waterproof foundation for flawless skin or even a waterproof eyebrow pencil to keep your brows in place?

Doing your makeup is an art, but so is actually getting it to stay in place all day! In the summer, when the weather is warmer and the sun is stronger, keeping your makeup on is even more of a challenge.

Summer makeup is meant to be fun, with lots of colour and bronzy details, but it shouldn’t be something to constantly worry about or top up frequently. Try our tips and tricks for long-lasting, sweatproof makeup that lets you get on with your day.