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Getting primped in the summer can seem like a waste of time since the makeup tends to melt off before you reach your destination. Sure, you can just slap on some sunscreen and call it a day, but it’s hard to resist the allure of some of the season’s most colorful beauty buys. Luckily, there are plenty of complexion products designed to provide protection against makeup meltdown. Scroll on for advice from our favorite makeup artists on their go-to beauty buys that will help your face stay in place all summer long.
Oilier skin types tend to be more familiar with the power of primers. But when things start heating up, using this product before foundation can mean the difference between a long-lasting look and a melted mess. You’ll want to pick up a primer that not only hangs tight to makeup but also delivers a matte finish, so everyone’s less likely to see you sweat.
Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++ ($65): “This buy from Murad offers sun protection and primes the skin by smoothing the skin, pores, and lines,” says NYC-based makeup artist Merli Estime. It also serves as an anti-aging treatment with the help of mushroom peptides to pump up collagen and elastin production.
CoverFX Mattifying Primer With Anti-Acne Treatment ($38): Some avoid primers because they believe the product is too thick and will clog pores. But this option from CoverFX crushes all of those expectations since it’s formulated with salicylic acid to keep pores clear and willow bark to calm inflammation.
NYX Shine Killer Primer ($14): While this pick mattifies the skin, it doesn’t strip off any moisture. Instead, it adds a little bit of Vitamin E to keep skin feeling comfortable regardless of the number of products you apply over it.
The hunt for the right foundation formula is not over once you discover a shade match. Just like you switch up your skincare as temperatures fluctuate, you need to adjust your base seasonally. Our experts agreed that looking for transfer- and water-resistant formulas with a matte finish are key to keeping your face in place.
MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation ($36): You won’t have to worry about this option budging regardless of how you wear it. Its watertight formula ensures a 36-hour lifespan since it actually repels more from skin’s surface. “I like it because it has a natural finish — your skin looks like skin, but it’s long- wearing and water resistant,” Estime says. “It’s the foundation I get the most compliments [on].”
Make Up For Ever Water Blend Foundation ($43): Estime reaches for this foundation when she’s on set. Though it’s water-based (it’s 80 percent water, in fact), it’s waterproof — we’re talking getting caught in a downpour and still not having a drop out of place.
Maybelline Fit Me Matte Poreless Liquid Foundation ($8): Maybelline’s FitMe line offers much more than just an extensive shade range, it also considers skin type as well. Those with oily and combination skin already love this formula for its ability to mask prominent pores and absorb excess sebum. With the help of blurring micro-powders, this formula will also work wonders on others faced with the summer swelter.
Concealer is considered to be the only complexion product necessary for makeup minimalists, especially during the dog days of summer. But while we love brightening formulas, the makeup artists we spoke with suggested using slightly thicker, more matte iterations of our favorites to avoid any summer slippage or looking extra sweaty.
Kat Von D’s Lock It Concealer Creme ($26): What’s in a name? Sometimes, it’s everything, as this iconic concealer won’t crease, smudge, or budge until you’re ready to take it off. Aside from packing enough pigment to cover up tattoos, as Von D herself demonstrated, it also goes on smooth and feels hydrating even if it appears a little thick out of the tube.
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer ($24): Another MAC must-have, this formula is built to last with up to 15 hours of water- and transfer-resistant wear without any weight. That because it comes in the form of a lightweight fluid that immediately sinks into skin to cover up any discoloration (like dark spots or under eye circles) with a matte finish.
L.A. Girl HD Pro Conceal ($5): You’ve probably spotted L.A. Girl’s signature concealers in a number of tutorials from some of your favorite beauty vloggers. Here’s why: It offers a creamy application that’s opaque enough to cover up the darkest spots without creasing or cracking under pressure. Plus, you can combine them with the range’s color corrector to craft a truly immaculate visage.
It might sound counterintuitive to apply powder when you’re bound to sweat, but it actually plays a significant role in your makeup’s staying power. It sets your foundation as you sponge it on so everything remains in place even after you’ve broken a sweat. Just remember to blot off any moisture not swipe, and you’ll be set!
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($38): There are plenty of reasons this precious powder has become a cosmetic cult classic. This featherlight formula sets your makeup instantly minus any flashback. And with the recent addition of a shade suited for darker skin tones, it will continue to grow.
Maybelline FitMe Loose Finishing Powder ($6): If you’re looking for something more specially suited to your skin tone (and your wallet), look no further. With a range of eight shades to select from, this loose mineral powder from Maybelline can create a seamless seal — not an ashy finish — for a long-lasting look.
Urban Decay’s De-Slick Mattifying Setting Powder ($34): Our experts agree that loose formulas are favored to set your face for the day, but Sephora PRO Artist Myiesha Sewell makes an exception for this pressed powder. She suggests dusting a little bit of the calming, tea tree-infused rice powder to sweep away shine after you’ve worked up a sweat.
When it comes to serious summer heat, you can’t reach for any old facial mist on the shelf and expect your makeup to remain intact. A setting spray is essential for any look beyond a bold eye or matte lip since, like hairspray, it’s meant to seal everything in.
Skindinavia Bridal Makeup Finishing Spray ($29): With a bevy of weddings booked throughout the season, makeup artists consider this a secret weapon. Skindinavia is known for its large range of sprays, but this continues to be a fan favorite since it helps makeup survive a torrent of tears, streams of sweat, and a cavalcade of kisses on their clients’ big day.
Supergoop Defense Refresh Setting Spray Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 50 ($28): Refreshing your sunscreen is important to keep your skin protected from UV rays. But with many formulas in the form of lotions, we tend to miss those re-applications. This setting spray makes it a cinch, which is why Sewell always keeps a bottle on hand anywhere she goes. “I’m addicted to spritzing with cooling toners,” she says. “I keep minis of Supergoop Defense Refresh Setting Spray Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 50 everywhere — in my car, my travel bag, my purse, everywhere.”
Ben Nye Final Seal Matte Makeup Sealer ($35): But if you need some professional-grade protection, the only name you need to know is Ben Nye. Known for his special effects makeup products, this sealer is not only sweat-proof but also pretty much transfer-proof. But be warned, it can work a little too well, according to Estime. “You can spray too much, so follow the directions as said,” she says.
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