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How do you keep your makeup from melting during the summer heat?


How do you keep your makeup from melting during the summer heat? Share!

I find cream-based products like cream blush to be very long-wearing and are easily patted back into place even if they start to melt a little. I set everything by pressing the powder onto the skin, not just dusting or sweeping, and then a setting or fixing spray helps a lot. I didn’t believe in setting sprays so much (only a theatre makeup spray by Kryolan seemed effective to me in the past!), but I really like Urban Decay’s All Nighter and Clarins’ Fix Spray as a last step.

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Katherine T. Avatar

Use only light moisturizers, primer on face and eyes, layer powder products (shadows, blushes, highlighters, eyebrow) on top of their cream counterparts to get the most long-lasting wear, and use a fixing spray like UD All Nighter. Carry blotting papers and blot powder.

Sarah Avatar

I don’t use foundation, instead stick with a concealer-like texture (RCMA!). I don’t even bother with powder because it just adds layers. I’ll go with UD All Nighter. Honestly, I wear less face makeup in the summer anyway. It’s just too darn hot!

helen Avatar

Is the TF foundation a medium-full coverage? I’m looking for something that can replace my Armani Maestro (even though i like it, i’m itching for a new foundation).
If Traceless is tractor-proof then sign me up!

helen Avatar

Is this foundation a medium/full coverage? I’m looking to replace my Armani Maestro (even though i love it, i’m itching for a change).
And if Traceless is tractor-proof, sign me up!

Wednesday Avatar

LOL ~ Yes, Helen, definitely Medium coverage. I wear it in lieu of Maestro which I have in 4.0 (a touch light for my summer skin, but I can still pull it off). I like this particular shade of Fawn from the TF line of foundations. It works extremely well on me. I also discovered this week that Armani Lasting Silk in 4.5 is super super similar as in almost identical. The Lasting silk looks very pale in bottle, but dries down a good shade or so darker. It is also bullet proof. Sorry to confuse, but I think both are great options and your choice depends on your skin type. If you have dry skin, go for the GA. If you have normal to oily skin or combination skin, go for the TF 😀 Hope this helps!!!

helen Avatar

Thanks for the info. I’ve always been on the oiler side but since hitting a ‘certain age’ along with the unannounced heatwaves from within, i’ve noticed my skin (and hair) more dry
I might just check out the TF (at Holt’s Bloor?) and then Sephora for GA.
Your comments are always entertaining and informative!

Nicole Avatar

Haha! That’s fabulous! What a picture! 🙂 . I just purchased the stick and the Traceless ( original). I don’t have a counter so I work with a SA in Dallas. I told her my skin leans dry and she said the perfecting would be likely too matte. She was supposed to include a sample with the other purchases. Apparently she forgot. Do you agree with her statement? I like the other formulas too. But, I like a variety. Dry and matte doesn’t work on my combo /dry skin though.

Wednesday Avatar

I agree 100% with her, Nicole. If you tend toward dry, you will find this foundation challenging. You can always layer TM underneath, but I still think a better option for you for durability would be GA Lasting Silk. See my comment to Helen above. Great GREAT foundation and a happy new addition to the stash. It feels lightweight, but responds well in the heat on my skin. A good friend of mine has drier skin than mine and this is her foundation of choice.

Sarah Avatar

My makeup tends to stay on the same. I have oily skin so I already have a routine down that doesn’t fade much. Silicone based primers are a must for getting foundation to really stay. Lightly powder to set. But I refuse to use a a UD setting spray, I don’t want alcohol anywhere near my face although it does work great. 🙁

Nancy T Avatar

Ok, so I literally live in the desert: Arizona to be exact, within the East Valley section of the greater Phoenix metro area. As such, we can easily and way too often see temps in the 100-120° range. Best to stay in with AC, however, that’s easier said than done! So during summer I go to Lumene BB Cream in medium ( Lumene NEEDS to add more color options because their medium is a bit lighter than me! ), set it with either WnW Cover-All powder in Medium or Medium-Tan, or Nyx HD Finishing Powder, then spray everything with ELF Makeup Mist & Set. And using a cream blush is better than powder too, because sweat won’t cause it to streak. Oh! And all eye makeup needs a heavy-duty, preferably w.p. primer underneath, w.p. eyeliner and mascara are a MUST.

Rachel R. Avatar

I use thin layers of powdered products as much as possible, as my skin is oily to begin with. Powdered mineral makeup absorbs the oils for me and don’t oxidize on me. I make sure my face is clean, and use a toner to get any lingering oils. A light, oil-free moisturizer with sunscreen next, letting it absorb completely into my skin. Using a flat-top Kabuki and a circular motion: BareMinerals Mineral Veil in Translucent. Then either BareMinerals Original Foundation (has bismuth oxychloride, but the matte version doesn’t, if that affects you) or Every Day Minerals powder foundation (no bismuth oxychloride). This is followed by another layer of Mineral Veil.

I use blotting paper on my eyelids. Eye primer is a must for me year round. Powder eyeshadow, with a light coat of the Mineral Veil on top. Then powder blush and a little TF Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer. Layering powdered blush over a good quality cream blush like MUFE HD (you don’t want one with lots of slip or shimmer), can help blush really last. If I wear eyeliner, I go with a good waterproof one, like UD 24/7 pencils or Stila Smudge Sticks. I skip lining the waterline. After all my makeup is on, I find spritzing with e.l.f. Mist & Set really helpful. After misting, mascara as usual.

It looks like a lot, but it’s thin layers with small amounts of product. My eye looks when it’s hot are 1-3 colors. Nothing too complicated. I keep blotting papers in my purse at all times to touch things up.

The hotter it is, the less products I wear. When it’s in the 90s-100s F, It’s easier and more forgiving to put a wash of BareMinerals eyecolor in a nude or light shade, skip the eyeliner, and use a couple coats of darkest black mascara. (I find this gives the illusion of tight-lining on my upper lids.) I skip the blush and bronzer. I use a little BareMinerals Allover Face Color in Rose Radiance on my cheeks, bridge of nose, hairline and chin instead. My lip colors are more likely to be colored balms (I love Maybelline Baby Lips, especially the Electro colors), gloss, liquid lipstick, or e.l.f. Studio Matte Lip Color pencils.

Meghan Avatar

I like using setting sprays too! I’ve used UD All Nighter & even Caudalie Beauty Essence, but Caroline Hirons has said the Caudalie Grape water is even better, and it’s like one fifth of the price! I’ve also tried the Tata Harper Floral Essence & it’s great too. I think most face sprays will help! 😛

Deborah Avatar

I touch up as needed with NYX Blotting Powder Poudre Matifiante – (I use the Light) (truly one of the best products I have ever tried!) I have backups in several handbags etc. I also use a tiny bit more blush if that has faded : )

Judy H. Avatar

I use a lighter hand with products that are inclined to fading or creasing i.e. foundations. eye shadow, liner. I blend, blend, blend, then I use a light dusting of very translucent finishing power, (elf makes a GREAT one) and
I set my making with Avon’s (best I’ve tried) makeup setting spray. If it is particular humid or muggy, I keep a small spray bottle of rosewater in my purse and lightly spray my face throughout the day.

The key things are a LIGHT hand, BLENDING until you think you can blend no more, FINISHING powder, FINISHING makeup spray, MIST lightly throughout the day.
Oh I forgot, I forget the lip liner and lipstick if I’m going to be outside most of the day and use a tinted lip balm instead.

Telesilla Avatar

During the summer, it can get over 100 here in Sacramento. I just don’t go outside during the day if I can possibly help it. If I can’t, unless it’s a situation where I really want to wear makeup, I just don’t wear any or maybe just do the lip gloss and mascara look.

Dez13 Avatar

I live in Florida; my makeup melts off all year round! Seriously though, I find that when it’s hotter (let’s say mid 90’s and up) a powder foundation tends to stay a bit better, but that’s just me. I only recently purchased both types of UD’s setting spray to see if either helps. I also tend to stay away from cream eye products including creamy eye pencils as they tend to smear. Waterproof eye pencils are usually okay. But when it’s really hot I tend to wear less makeup anyway and just skip a lot of products, like eyeliner, Bronzers, highlighters, and keep it to simple powder formulas and mascara.

Miekogirlie99 Avatar

Wish I knew how to keep my collection from melting, I’ve lost a few lipsticks to the heat from my home. I think I’ll have to move my lipstick or cream products to a Cooler part of the house. So humbug to separate my collection but I don’t know what else to do to save it

Ali's Gigi Avatar

I love the cover fx primer. It locks even the sheerest foundation in place. Just did an Orlando weekend at Disney and it held up in 90+ degree weather. Not perfect but I still had a pretty good look.

Cat Avatar

I, like Christine, also set everything by pressing the powder onto the skin and then use a setting spray. I liked UD’s All Nighter so, when I discovered it’s origins were from the Skindinavia line, I decided to purchase a Skindinavia setting spray instead and haven’t regretted my decision. I also avoid the heat whenever possible as it makes for one very ill-tempered Cat.

Christine, which cream blushes do you recommend? I had a bad experience with one about ten years ago and haven’t had the courage to try another one since. It was difficult to blend out and it clogged my pores. If I gain the courage to give them another chance, what would be best (over a liquid foundation) for an inexperienced user?

Lotus Avatar

If it’s melting, I must assume the amount of makeup worn to be overtly necessary. Like theatre makeup. Less is more. But uh, set it by pressing a good loose powder into it, like NARS loose crystal transparent what’re it is, use primer on eyes, and carry a mini fan? I don’t know.. I can’t imagine ever wearing that much makeup. I’m sorry! 🙁 I’m having mental pictures of Edvard Munch’s The Scream.. (It’s a painting, a work of art.)

Malia Avatar

Seriously… I’ve in Dubai in the summer and it reaches 110 degrees on a cool day…. It’s awful. Some days humidity high as well. Your makeup isn’t surviving in that, no way! There are a few eyeliners that won’t budge too much but they’ll still smudge by a few hours. Foundation, no way, too gross, it’ll end up smeared all down your neck and clothes. Cream blushes don’t last any longer than powders from my experience, but I’m talking major heat. For a special occasion, or if you absolutely must… bridal spray… Downside is it makes your face feel like a board, so stiff, but it works!

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