How to Wear Makeup in Humid Weather

Last Updated: January 10, 2021 References

During the summer, humidity can cause your makeup to run or vanish. To help your makeup last longer, primer is a must. You can also prevent your makeup from fading by setting it with a mist or pressed powder. Try to avoid thick, creamy products, as well as shimmery products. Instead, opt for sheer blushes, eye shadows and lipsticks to minimize shine and oil. When applying your makeup, remember that less is more when you are dealing with humid weather.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Helping Your Makeup Last

1
Use a primer. Primer is must if you want your makeup to stay in humid weather. Apply the primer after your moisturizer, but before foundation and/or concealer.^{[1]
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- Opt for a matte or transparent primer to even out your skin tone and help your makeup stay in place.^{[2]
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  Devorah Kuperland. Makeup Artist. Personal interview. 7 May 2020.}
- Use eye shadow primer to give your eye shadow extra staying power.
2
Use makeup setting sprays. Once you have applied all of your makeup, makeup setting sprays or mists are great for helping your makeup stay put. Spritz your face once or twice after you have finished applying your makeup.^{[3]
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- You can also use translucent setting or pressed powders to prevent your look from fading due to humidity.
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3
Opt for water resistant mascara. To prevent your mascara from running, use water resistant mascara on those humid summer days and nights. Make sure to use water resistant as opposed to waterproof mascara. Waterproof mascara doesn’t hold up as well as water resistant mascara in humidity. It can also dry out your lashes and it is difficult to remove.^{[4]
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4
Use eye shadow to set your liner. After applying your cream, gel or liquid eyeliner, set your liner with a dark eye shadow. Use a small brush that is angled to apply the dark shadow over your liner. The shadow will lock your liner in place.^{[5]
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5
Choose a liquid foundation. Cream foundations do not hold up as well as liquid or gel foundations in humid weather. Although powder foundations hold up better than creams, they can still become streaky and dull in humid weather. Your best bet is a liquid foundation.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Eliminating Shine

1
Avoid shimmery and powder blush formulas. While shimmery blushes can produce too much shine, powdery blushes can become streaky in humidity. Instead, opt for a blush stain, matte powder, or gel. Use your fingers to apply the stain or gel over the apples of your cheeks and finish with a light application of bronzer.^{[7]
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- Applying bronzer over your blush is a great way to get a natural, sun-kissed look.
- If you do prefer to use powdered blush, try going over your blush lightly with your foundation blush or beauty sponge after you apply it. That will remove some of the texture from the blush, making it look more natural.^{[8]
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  Devorah Kuperland. Makeup Artist. Personal interview. 7 May 2020.}
2
Use sheer products for your eyes and lips. Because sheer products are light, they work great for humid summer days and nights. Use the sheer versions of your favorite eye and lip colors. Additionally, because bright lipsticks can add shine to an already shiny face, choose a more natural color for your lips when it is humid.^{[9]
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- For example, nude, subtle berry or peach lipstick shades work great.
- Also, choose lip balms and stains over lip glosses and sticky, thick lipsticks.
- Try choosing a waterproof eyeshadow in a liquid, cream, or stick formula for really humid days. They have a nice consistency, and they may be more likely to stay in place.^{[10]
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  Devorah Kuperland. Makeup Artist. Personal interview. 7 May 2020.}
3
Use oil-blotting papers to remove shine. Inevitably, your face will become shiny and oily because of the humidity. When this happens, use blotters to remove shine and oil. Blot your T-zone and other oily areas on your face throughout the day.^{[11]
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- Blotters are great because they remove shine without removing makeup.
- Try to avoid using powders to eliminate shine. Powders only add more makeup to your face, which can make your face look cakey.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Minimizing Base Layers

1
Go for a tinted moisturizer or BB cream. Instead of using primer, foundation and a concealer to prep your face, use a tinted moisturizer or BB cream. A tinted moisturizer or BB cream will provide the coverage you need without having to apply so many layers.^{[12]
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- BB creams are all-in-one products that moisturize, prime, protect from the sun, even out skin tone, and provide light coverage.^{[13]
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- Moisturizers that contain a hydration-based lotion are as effective as primers at helping your makeup stay put in humid weather.
- Alternatively, you can apply a primer after using a regular, un-tinted moisturizer.
2
Use concealer sparingly. If you need extra coverage, then apply concealer over your tinted moisturizer or primer. Use a small brush or your finger to dab a small amount of concealer on dark or red spots.^{[14]
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Apply light layers of foundation. If you must apply foundation, then try to only apply light layers. Dab a small amount of foundation on your T-zone, as well as other areas of your face that need coverage.^{[15]
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- If you use foundation, then remember to set your look with a translucent powder or mist.
- Beauty blender sponges work great for applying light layers of sheer foundation.

Community Q&A

Question

What are some ways to wear makeup in the freezing cold weather?

Community Answer

Try to opt for something more natural. For example, use blush in areas around the tip of your nose and cheeks, and pair with neutral eye shadow to match your skin tone. You could also use blue or white mascara as a flair.