Nothing humbles a makeup routine quite like a sweltering summer day. Between soaring temperatures, humidity, and one too many hours spent outdoors, even the most carefully applied makeup can begin to disappear before lunchtime. Fortunately, making it last no longer requires heavy formulas or endless touch-ups. A handful of hardworking products—from gripping primers and waterproof mascaras to setting sprays that actually do what they promise—can keep everything exactly where you put it.
All About Prep
“Keep it simple,” says celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo, the pro behind the famously long-lasting makeup looks of Jenna Ortega and Alicia Silverstone. It may sound counterintuitive, but when it comes to summer makeup, piling on more skincare isn’t the answer. Instead, Oquendo recommends focusing on lightweight hydration and allowing each layer time to fully absorb before gently blotting the skin with a clean tissue. “You want to reduce the barrier between your skin and the primer,” he explains, allowing makeup to “actually stick to your skin.” Finish with a primer suited to your skin type; think of it as laying the groundwork for everything that comes next.
Formula First
Once the canvas is prepped, resist the urge to pile on product. Instead, Oquendo recommends working in thin strategic layers, beginning with primer. Prada’s primer is one of his current favorites, creating a smooth makeup-gripping base without feeling heavy or overly matte.
When it comes to complexion, summer is the time to reach for formulas that can stand up to heat without sacrificing a skin-like finish. Long-wear silicone-based foundations, like Hourglass’ Vanish Airbrush Foundation, offer impressive staying power while remaining lightweight on the skin. For those who prefer an even more natural look, Chanel’s Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch delivers breathable coverage that feels nearly undetectable—ideal for hot humid days.
Rather than setting the entire face, Oquendo recommends being strategic, focusing on what he calls the face’s “high-traffic areas.” A light veil of powder, like Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder, pressed beneath the eyes, around the sides of the nose, and through the nasolabial folds helps lock makeup into the areas most prone to creasing, while allowing the rest of the complexion to maintain its natural glow.
Lock It In
If there’s one product Oquendo never skips when prepping clients for a red carpet, a full day of press, or the Cannes Film Festival, it’s setting spray. “Setting spray!” he says without hesitation. Today’s formulas do far more than simply lock makeup in place; they melt powders into the skin, soften any lingering cakiness and leave behind a finish that looks fresh rather than fixed. One/Size’s cult-favorite formula has earned a reputation for its serious staying power.
Morphe’s Lifeproof Setting Spray, meanwhile, delivers lightweight, all-day wear without leaving skin feeling tight or dry, while L’Oréal’s Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist promises up to 36 hours of wear, proving impressive longevity doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag.
Refresh, Don’t Redo
By midafternoon, the temptation is to keep adding more makeup, but Oquendo recommends taking a lighter approach. Blot away excess shine first with Tatcha’s original anti-shine solution, then press a touch of setting powder only where it’s needed. For extended time outdoors, finish with an SPF-infused setting spray to refresh the complexion while topping up sun protection. Think of it less as a touch-up and more as a reset.
Long-lasting lips, meanwhile, are all about layering. Oquendo starts by pressing Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Bitten Lip Tint into the lips, creating a stain that lasts long after the first iced coffee. Summer Fridays’ new Flushed Lip Stain offers a similarly long-wearing wash of color with a fresh just-bitten finish. From there, he tops the lips with a conditioning formula, whether that’s Rhode’s Peptide Lip Tint or La Mer’s tinted lip treatment, for shine and hydration without compromising longevity.
Raccoon eyes are no match for a truly waterproof mascara. Today’s best formulas deliver serious staying power without sacrificing lift, length, or definition, making them just as suited for a sweltering commute as they are for a beach wedding or dinner alfresco. Lancôme’s Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara delivers bold, full lashes that stand up beautifully to heat and humidity, while Milk Makeup’s RISE Waterproof Mascara gives lashes a more defined, lengthened look while resisting flaking and smudging for up to 12 hours. After all, the only thing that should be melting this summer is your ice cream.
Jenna Rennert
