11 summer makeup tips to beat the heat, according to professional artists
Picture this. You’re stuck on the Central line battling bulging backpacks and sauna-like heat while your makeup melts down your face. Familiar? We’ve got the best summer makeup tips to end your suffering and help you beat the heat, courtesy of makeup artists who know a thing or two about long-lasting beauty.
To start, why not switch your full coverage foundation for a lighter glow-enhancing product instead. “I love glow products that enhance your natural radiance while keeping your skin transparent and fresh – nothing heavy or cakey,” says makeup artist Emily Wood. “It’s all about subtle luminosity that lets your real skin shine through, rather than full coverage that masks it.”
It goes without saying, but setting products – sprays or powders – are your BFF for achieving makeup that won’t budge all day long. Elsewhere, tips on makeup tools that will step up your technique, how to prep your skin so you don’t look greasy, and how to get a cute summer look with just one product. Last, but not least, don’t forget the SPF!
Here, we asked some of our fave makeup artists for their best summer makeup tips for beating the heat – keep scrolling to find out what they said.
Prep, Prep, Prep
Listen, we get it. Nobody wants to be faffing in the bathroom with endless steps and products in the hot weather, but a few extra steps can be the difference between flawless summer skin and a melting face. “Something I can’t stress enough, don’t skip the skin prep – it’s one of the biggest mistakes I see,” makeup artist and Head of Artist Relations for Virtual Cosmetics Jack Oliver tells GLAMOUR. “Prepping your skin properly with the right moisturiser (preferably a matte finish one) will make all the difference in how your makeup wears – especially in the heat.” Try La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat or Facetheory Supergel Oil-Free Moisturiser as bases for your summer makeup look, giving you more control of how much glow and shine to add on.
Let Your Skin Breathe
Much like the layers of clothes that come off once the sun is shining, your skin will thank you for taking a lighter approach to makeup in the summer. “Don’t go too heavy handed with product,” advises makeup artist and content creator Xavi Guillaume. “I love full glam as much as the next person, but ‘summer makeup’ is the best time to let your skin breathe.”
Instead of using full coverage products, Xavi suggests lighter liquid and cream products – “opting for a glowy and hydrating skin tint” like NYX Cosmetics Buttermelt Glaze Soft Glow Skin Tint.
Cool It Down
It’s the British prerogative to complain about the weather. It’s always too hot, too cold, too wet, too windy. If you want to stop whining about melting during this unexpected sweltering summer, follow Xavi’s forward-thinking example. “The one essential product I always have in my makeup bag during the summer would be some form of dewy setting mist or fixing spray,” he says. “British weather can be so temperamental, so it’s always good to keep your makeup set in place, while maintaining that fresh, radiant glow we all know and love during the hotter months.” He recommends Revolution Superfix Hydra Cool Prep + Fix Continuous Fixing Mist – “it not only fixes your makeup in place for the whole day, but has a cooling effect as well.” As a bonus tip, pop it in the fridge before heading out for the day for extra cooling.
Glow Smarter, Not Harder
Whether you’ve had a chance to escape to sunnier climes this summer or not, you deserve a healthy bronze glow this summer. “Summer beauty is all about glowing skin with minimal effort,” makeup artist Nicky Weir tells GLAMOUR. In her kit, Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50 Super Glow Drops Illuminating is an essential for achieving this. “Use it on high points for a natural highlight or all over for a bronzed, dewy finish,” she says.
For a full glowy look that’ll have people asking you where you’ve just got back from, she suggests a cream bronzer like Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer for an effortless, dewy look. Don’t worry, those with oily skin can get in on it too, switching for a radiant matte finish from products like NARS Soft Matte Powder or Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer.
Protection First
No summer makeup routine is complete without SPF – no excuses. That also means reapplying every two hours to protect your skin from sun damage all day long. If you’re worried about messing up your makeup, don’t worry, Xavi recommends Garnier Ambre Solaire Over Makeup Super UV Face Protection Mist. Simply spray all over your face, letting its gentle mist provide sun protection and a healthy glow while leaving your beat undisturbed.
One Product Does Plenty
If there’s anything summer makeup should be, it’s simple and straightforward. “Summer makeup should feel effortless and comfortable but still bold and expressive,” makeup artist Emily Wood tells GLAMOUR. You’ve probably come across Emily’s viral hack on TikTok or Instagram, creating a whole summer beat with just one simple lip liner – in fact, five GLAMOUR editors put it to the test recently. Perfect for a holiday, or when you can’t be bothered to root around in your makeup bag before dashing out the door, use a product like espressoh Aroma Lip Liner to scribble in your desired spots – nose, cheeks, forehead, lips – before blending out. “Using fingers for application helps me control the intensity and texture, giving a more natural blend that lasts,” Emily adds.
Emily Wood’s viral lip liner makeup hack is all over TikTok, so five editors road-tested it for you.
When In Doubt, Keep It Simple
Cut down the faff with your summer makeup routine by making a few small changes for maximum impact. “Trade black liner for rich brown,” says Nicky. “It’s softer and stunning in the sun.” Charlotte Tilbury Rock N Kohl or Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel Eyeliner will do the trick. She also loves a flushed sun-kissed cheek courtesy of liquid blushes like NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush or Saie Dew Blush. It can’t get any more simple than that.
For night time festivities, Nicky says a quick swipe of Lisa Eldridge Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow across the eyelids is all you need. “It’s long-lasting and quick to apply, delivering a beautiful glimmer in shades Titania and Zora.” Less time getting ready equals more time for cocktails – it’s a win-win.
Step Up Your Toolkit
A good worker is only as good as their tools, so switching up what’s in your makeup bag is an easy win to step up your summer makeup. Makeup artist Aoife Cullen is never without a makeup sponge during the hotter months, “so I can dab my sweat and oil without disturbing the makeup,” she says.
Meanwhile, Jack says a good dense makeup brush like the Sephora Collection Pro Brush #47 can completely elevate your routine. “I use this one brush to apply foundation, bronzer, contour, and blush,” they explain. “The key is using a tapping motion instead of sweeping or buffing. This technique helps press the product into the skin for a flawless, long-lasting finish that holds up all day.”
Look After Your Lips
Often forgotten, the delicate skin that makes up your lips are more susceptible to sunburn. To give them the protection and TLC that they deserve, Nicky suggests using Ultra Violette SPF50 Sheen Screen Lip Balm for “a pop of colour and sun protection in one” or Omorovicza Lip Balm with cooling eucalyptus oil. Say hello to luscious and kissable lips all summer long – you’re welcome.
Don’t Forget To Set
It’s an obvious one, but setting your makeup is crucial for helping it to survive the summer heat. Jack always carries NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder with them wherever they go for this very reason. “What I love about this powder is that it sets makeup without masking the skin,” they explain. “It controls shine, smooths out texture, and gives that gorgeous ‘real skin’ finish with a subtle glow never cakey or heavy. It's the perfect balance between performance and skin-like radiance.”
Using powder throughout the makeup application is Aoife’s key to long-lasting makeup that won’t melt. “My base always lasts the longest when I apply powder first and work with thin layers,” she says. “After my skincare and SPF, I apply translucent powder everywhere I know I will apply concealer/foundation. Stipple a light layer of those creams on top and set with powder. If I want more coverage, I repeat the steps again – but light layers are key.”
