Summer is coming, and that means lots of heat, sun, and humidity! All of which, can affect our skinโs condition. More sun means more UV damage. However, it also means beaches and swimming, if youโre more of a positive thinker. Either way, keeping your makeup intact throughout the day is a struggle. Therefore, with at least 7 years of experience as a makeup artist under my belt, I have come up with tips to help your makeup last through the summer heat!
TIP #1: Light Skincare
Tip number one on the list of tips to help your makeup last through the summer heat is to use lightweight skincare that is easy to absorb.
The summer is when heat and humidity are at their highest. Therefore, heavier toners, serums, and moisturizers can be detrimental to your make-upโs longevity. If they donโt absorb fully, your makeup will not only be competing with sweat but also melting products for a spot on your face.
One lightweight skincare I recommend is Torridenโs DIVE-IN skincare line. Containing low-molecular hyaluronic acids, they help to hydrate the skin from within without leaving it sticky and feeling heavy. They are also marketed as clean beauty, meaning that they are cruelty-free and safe for sensitive skin.
Another tip I have is to purchase fitted cotton pads to soak your toner in, such as the Fillimilli Self-Skin Pads (Fit), which you can purchase at Olive Young. To use them, drench the pads with your toner and keep them in your fridge. Once cooled, you can use it as a cooling mask for just 5 minutes before applying your make-up.
If the heat of your skin is too warm, it can also affect the wear of your base. So, to prevent that, try this tip to help keep your make-up on throughout the day during the summer.
Lastly, never ever skip your sunscreen! One of my favorites for summer would be the Dr.Ceuracle Cica Regen Vegan Sunscreen. With SPF 50+ PA++++, my skin is bound to be protected! It is also lightweight, leaves no white cast, protects and regenerates the skinโs barrier, and absorbs quickly into the skin.
TIP #2: Layering Your Base
Tip number two on the list of tips to help your makeup last is by layering your base.
What do I mean by layering? Itโs like painting a wall. When you paint a wall, you canโt just splash paint or paint over thick layers and expect it to dry down quickly. Itโs the same with makeup.
Layering thin layers of your base makeup is the key to long-lasting makeup. One way to do this is to spread a light amount of your base makeup with a makeup spatula. If you donโt have a makeup spatula (like me), you can just utilize your pinky finger.
- Step one: Pump up just enough of your base makeup for your face. If youโre using a cushion foundation, press half of the puff into the product and tap off any excess onto the cover. Youโll be able to use it as a palette for your foundation
- Step two: Spread the foundation thinly on the back of your hand and then across one side of your face with the spatula, pinky, or cushion puff. Doing one side at a time prevents the makeup from looking patchy and uneven when it settles while you take time to blend it in on one side.
- Step Three: With a damp sponge/ beauty blender, blend in your base makeup. If youโre using a cushion foundation, spray a bit of mist/setting spray on the puff before blending.
Repeat on the other sections of your face, and your base makeup is complete! For any other spots that need coverage, you can just layer on the same way you did before or just use a bit of concealer for more coverage. Remember, the thinner your layer is, the better.
TIP #3: Setting your base
Tip number three to help your makeup last is by setting your base correctly.
Setting your base with powder or setting spray, or both, can be a huge game-changer for your base makeup. Personally, I use both my TCFS Art Class By Rodin Finishing Powder and HERA Makeup Fixer. The TCFS Setting Powder applies thinly so that you have control over how much you use. The HERA Make Up Fixer hydrates the skin and sets the makeup like a film over the skin to prevent your makeup from smudging or moving around.
My skin leans towards the drier side, and it lacks hydration. If I just use the powder alone, it can feel dry. However, if I use a hydrating setting spray together with it, it settles in nicely without any tightness.
I prefer not to bake powder on my face, as it can cake easily on my skin and melt off under the humidity. Instead, I take a light amount of pressed translucent powder on a fluffy puff and set the areas that need setting. Such as under the eyes, corners of the eyes, corners of my nose, and eyebrows.
You can also set it according to your skin type, but just remember, less is more.
TIP #4: Smudge-proofing Your Liner
Tip number four on the list of tips to help your makeup last through the humidity is by smudge-proofing your liner.
Another annoying thing that happens during the summer is when the eyeliner youโve taken time to perfect gets smudged the moment you step outside.
- Step One: One trick I like to do is layer my liners. I start off with a pencil liner and sketch out the shape. Then, I set it with an eyeshadow in a similar shade.
- Step Two: Next, I line it with a liquid liner to sharpen the tip, and to set it further, I apply a similar shade of eyeshadow, avoiding the tip to smoke it out for a more natural finish.
Think of it this way: Itโs like cementing your liner.
Just like cement, wet on dry, and then wet on dry again, helps it to stay in place the entire day. It works wonders for me and I hope that it works for you. Also, if you want that extra bit of security, investing in a matte eye primer can help your liner and shadow last longer.
TIP #5: Invest In A Portable Mini Fan
Finally, tip number five! Invest in a portable mini fan! No, I am not kidding.
This has saved my makeup during the summer thousands of times. Now, I come from the sunny island of Singapore which is hot and humid 24/7, and even I was overwhelmed by the summer humidity and heat here in Korea. Having a mini fan saved me, my skin, and my makeup from completely melting off my face. There was no need for me to retouch anything, except for my lips, of course.
Remember how I said that keeping the skin cool is important? Thatโs what the mini fan is for while youโre out and about!
Click here to get yourself one.
Final Thoughts?
Even though there are negative sides to summer, there are tons of things to look forward to during the summer in South Korea. There are festivals, sun-tanning, and beaches to enjoy, even in the heat of it all! I hope that at least one of my tips can help you, and your makeup, survive this coming summer!
Here in Korea, we are still partially masking. Click Here for three of the best Korean lipsticks, all of which are designed to withstand masking up.
