How Makeup Artists Switch Their Beauty Routines for Summer
Beat the heat with these expert-endorsed makeup tricks.
As summer heat closes in, we're making some necessary changes—hemlines get shorter, hair gets lighter, and makeup is all about glow. To keep your face looking flawless even as the temperature skyrockets, we interviewed the most in-demand makeup artists for their scoop on summer beauty. From SPF and lighter foundations to waterproof eye makeup and pops of color, MUAs shared their favorite tips and must-have products with L'OFFICIEL. Read on to learn how the pros adjust their beauty routine for the hottest season.
Sun-Ready Skin
"I prefer a foundation that’s lightweight that has SPF so that you look flawless and protected from harmful sun exposure," says Keita Moore, who has worked with celebrities such as Nicki Minaj and Tiffany Haddish. You can either layer a face-friendly sunscreen under foundation, such as Supergoop's Unseen Suncreen and Neutrogena's Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen, or opt for a base with built-in sun protection.
"For summer, I love a more sheer complexion to allow our natural glow to shine through," says Denika Bedrossian, Global Makeup Ambassador for Bareminerals. "A tinted moisturizer or gel with sun protection is ideal. My go to is the Bareminerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer. It’s a vegan formula with moisturizer, a slight tint for coverage and SPF."
"CC Creams, Tinted Moisturizers, or foundations with SPF in them are great options," says MUA Grace Pae, who did Normani's makeup for her "Motivation" music video. "The It Cosmetics CC Cream is an 'all in one' that is skincare, SPF, and has great coverage. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector is also another great 'all in one' that is skincare, SPF, with a light formula for those hot and humid days."
Beating the Heat
To keep makeup from running in the summer heat, there are a few tricks to make sure your face looks refreshed. "I don’t always use a makeup setting spray, but when dealing with hot weather/sweat, Skindinavia Makeup Setting Spray and About Face Matte Fix Spray are my go-to’s," says Pae. "Your makeup will stay put throughout the day." Meanwhile, MUA Alexx Mayo, whose client list includes Lizzo and Tinashe, suggests using waterproof or water-resistant products and keeping a facial mist on hand throughout the day.
"I'll use a primer on the eyes and be more diligent about setting my makeup properly," shares Emily Cheng, who works with Barbie Ferreira and Yara Shahidi. "A face primer can help as well. Dior's backstage face primer is a great option. Urban Decay eye primer and their setting spray I'll use for extremely hot long days.
Smart Swaps
Making some adjustments to your everyday makeup is key to a flawless face this summer. "Cream and liquid products will last the longest in warmer temperatures so try out the latest cream or liquid blush and waterproof mascara will save you during those hot summer days," says Mayo. "Don’t forget the waterproof eye makeup remover!"
A few cult favorite mascaras, such as Too Faced Better Than Sex and Maybelline Lash Sensational already make waterproof versions of their product for a seamless transition. Cheng loves Japanese brand Heroine Make's Long and Curl waterproof mascara.
Moore reccomends a two-pronged approach to keeping making looking fresh even in scorching weather. "Duality is going to be your best bet here. Use a cream blush but set it with a powder blush. Use a cream eyeshadow but take a powder shadow and tap on top to make sure everything stays in place all day."
"There are some great cream-powder like products that don't feel overly heavy or shiny," says Cheng. "Love Fenty's cheek cream colors and Tower 28 Beach Please tints. They also double as a two in one for the cheeks and lips. I'm never without one of these in my purse."
To Dew or Not to Dew
While summer is typically associated with dewy, glazed donut skin, a matte look is still attainable for a more subtle look. "Both [matte and dewy] take the same amount of effort to keep up with throughout the day, but balance is the key player here," says Moore. "I would recommend if you're oily to use a more matte foundation and if your skin is dry then use a more dewy foundation." Pae also endorses a balanced approach to skin finish. "I embrace a dewy finish for the summer, but just focus on keeping my T-Zone somewhat matte," says Pae. "You tend to look sweaty and greasy when the T-Zone is shiny. I love glowy skin, but I just carry oil blotting sheets with me to blot the oil on my T-Zone."
On the other hand, Mayo is all about the dewy look for the season. "Summer is all about that glow! I think its looks the freshest but for those who want more of a matte finish prime your skin with a matifying sunscreen like the one from Supergoop The Unseen Sunscreen."
Keep It Light
"I avoid any kind of products that are too oily," says Pae. "With the higher temperatures and sweat, I tend to break out if I use anything too thick on my face like oil or any heavy moisturizers." To keep makeup from giving the dreaded caking effect, there are a few products to steer clear of this summer. Generally, you'll want to save your heavier foundations and lotions for winter months, and avoid going too heavy on powder.
"During the summertime, I like to avoid using heavy moisturizers in the mornings, and heavy foundations and powders," says Bedrossian "With warmth and natural body heat, we don’t want anything that will build and clog pores through the day."
Moore also prefers a lighter approach to base makeup for the summer. "I try to avoid full coverage or cream foundations as much as possible," says Moore. "Also, lotions and primers without SPF."
Quick Fixes
To make touch-ups a cinch, Pae loves an ambidextrous product that won't weigh down your beach bag with a zillion different items. "Using multitasking cream products such as Nudestix Nudies Matte Blush and Bronze will look natural on your skin under the bright sun and won’t become a cakey mess throughout the day," Pae says. "It also makes touch ups easy since you can use it for your eyes, cheeks, and lips."
"Keep blotters or a pressed powder with you for the T-zone," says Cheng. "Tatcha has a pretty slim back that can even be easily kept in your back pocket."
Be Bold
The best summer makeup routine features simple, radiant looks that allow you to bask in the sun without having to constantly reapply throughout the day. "Summer is all about having fun and is a great time to experiment with color," says Mayo. "Even if you have no time a bright lip and some sunnies you will always be ravishing! "
"For summer, enjoy your skin!" says Bedrossian. "It’s important to allow your skin to breathe, stay protected from sun damage and also have fun with pops of color. Play around with textures and see what your comfortable with. Let’s have a fun and beautiful summer!"
