
This topic has come up quite a bit lately and I have had lots of question about tips & product recommendations to make your makeup last all day long. During the hot summer months, preventing makeup meltdown can be quite a challenge and there are those times, like a wedding or baby shower, when skipping makeup is just not an option. This becomes especially challenging if you have oily skin already. Today, I am sharing a few tips & products to help your makeup last all day long.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR MAKEUP LAST ALL DAY

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
PREP YOUR SKIN
I have personally not used this moisturizer, since I don’t have oily skin, but apparently this stuff is life changing and the thousands of positive reviews tend to back up this claim. It is ultra-light gel cream moisturizer that helps control oil and minimize shine, reducing the look of pores and leaving skin fresh, soft, and hydrated. Even oily skin needs to be hydrated, otherwise it will produce even more oil to compensate. Use this moisturizer to control oil and shine while still hydrating your skin. Have any of you used this? I would love to hear some personal testimonials on this.
USE A PRIMER
Make sure to use a primer. This is absolutely key in making your makeup last. My favorite primer to use this time of the year is this Bobbi Brown one. It minimizes pores and really grips your makeup. I also love that it feels light and refreshing on your skin while you apply it. My skin really drinks it up.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT FOUNDATION
Although I have dry & sensitive skin, this foundation works really well for my skin type during the hot summer months and it is also good for oily & acne prone skin. It is great for events, as it provides a fuller coverage, but it does not look heavy or cakey, unlike some other full coverage foundations. It has 16 hour wear and is very lightweight and breathable on the skin. It also works amazingly well in conjunction with the primer and stays put all day long. I use this combo on all of my summer brides. It comes in over 30 shades. I share my best tips for achieving a flawless makeup application in this blog post.
APPLY WITH A BEAUTY BLENDER
Apply four foundation with a damp beauty blender that you sprayed with setting spray. Bounce the blender across your face until you achieve even coverage. In my opinion, using a beauty blender gives you a more flawless, even application than using your fingers. The setting spray on the blender helps your foundation last longer.
USE AN EYE SHADOW PRIMER
An eyeshadow primer is also key in making your eye makeup last and not look muddy. This primer has been a long time staple in my kit and really work magically to even out the skin tone one the lid and neutralize any redness. It makes everything else you put on top stick better as well. Painterly is my favorite neutral color and the perfect base for a more elaborate makeup look. Bare Study has a bit of sheen to it, which is fabulous in the summer and a great one-step primer and shadow product all in one. Just add mascara and you are done.
USE A GEL OR POWDER EYE LINER
Avoid using a pencil. Pencil is typically a wax based products and will melt straight off your face. I also find pencil very tricky to apply correctly and I know many women struggle with it. I have a great eyeliner tutorial highlighted in my Instagram stories. Make sure to spray your liner brush with setting spray before applying liner to make it extra budge proof.
CHOOSE WATERPROOF MASCARA
Waterproof mascara is essential in melt-proofing your makeup. It not only stays put through tears, but also sweat and humidity. It is a no brainer. This one is my all time favorite mascara, hands down. It makes lashes look rich & glossy, not dry & flaky, which can be a thing with waterproof mascara.
USE A SETTING POWDER
Setting powder can be a bit controversial for women my age and also if you already have dry skin. But, I think it is a crucial product in helping to prevent makeup meltdown. You just have to use it correctly. I am a huge fan of the Laura Mercier setting powder. The translucent one is great and also the new Glow version one for more mature skin. I apply the powder sparingly through the center of my face and under the eyes to set my concealer. Yes, you will look like you applied powder, but it will settle in after a few minutes. Generally, makeup looks best about 45 minutes after it is applied, as it warms up on your face. Also, applying a setting spray at the end helps mesh everything together and avoids that powdery look.
SETTING SPRAY IS YOUR BEST FRIEND
Setting spray is your best friend this time of year. My favorite is this All Nighter setting spray from Urban Decay, but they also make one specifically for oil control, if you are on the oily side. But here is the trick – Not only will you use this spray at the end to set your makeup, you will use it throughout your makeup application to help make the stuff “stick”. Here is how:
>Spray your Beauty Blender with setting spray before applying your foundation.
>Spray it on your eyeliner brush to dampen it before applying eyeliner. It will make it bullet proof.
>Spray it on your concealer brush before applying concealer and to blend it out after your face has “settled” and there may be some creasing under the eye.
BLOT, BLOT, BLOT
Re-applying powder over your makeup can make it look cakey and heavy. If you have dry, mature skin like me, it can also sit on top of your skin and make you look older. Instead, use these oil absorbing blotting papers to take away shine without adding any more product to your face. They work like a charm. If you are in a pinch, the toilet seat liners in public restrooms work well for this as well. 😳
These are my best tips & product recommendations for how to melt-proof your makeup during the heat and humidity. I hope you find it helpful and informative.
XO,

Leave a Reply