How to keep your face fresh all summer

young woman with hand on face gazing

While some say the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, others believe summer is best. Why? Because it’s an opportunity to lay in the sun, show off your cutest skirts, dresses and rompers and not have to worry about freezing every time you step foot outside. The list of things that makes summer so perfect are endless – but a sticky face covered in melted makeup definitely doesn’t make the cut.

But you shouldn’t let the warm weather keep you from dressing up your face this summer. Just consider these tips for keeping your makeup looking fresh in the heat.

1. Use primer
If your makeup routine doesn’t start with applying primer, then you’re doing it wrong. This stuff will provide long-lasting coverage any day – even when the forecast calls for a day full of sunshine. Makeup artist Caroline Donnelly told TODAY that opting for a primer with a healthy level of SPF is even better – you can kill two birds with one stone!

“Opting for primer with SPF is even better.”

“When the sun heats up, we want our skin to look fabulous without looking like we’ve made [an] effort,” she said. “As well as using your favorite moisturizer, I recommend using a primer with a high SPF to give an even clarity and a soft focus appearance to your skin tone, whilst protecting your skin from harmful UVB and UVA rays.”

2. Choose waterproof products
Whether you’ll be crying at your best friend’s wedding this summer or throwing pool parties with your family, your makeup is going to have to hold up to moisture. That’s why making waterproof makeup your go-to is absolutely necessary this summer.

Wearing waterproof mascara all summer will save you some trouble.Wearing waterproof mascara all summer will save you some trouble.

“Even if you don’t plan on getting your face wet, laying down with the sun on your face can make your eyes water,” Donnelly said. “Technology has improved so much since the days of the spiky waterproof lash; look for a waterproof mascara with a full brush for dramatic lashes.”

3. Stick to cream formulas
According to TODAY, cream formulas are more likely to stay put on your face than a powder product would. So when it comes to your blush, summer might be the perfect time to retire the compact. Donnelly shared this quick tip with the source to help you plan accordingly this summer:

“A nice trick to go from beach or poolside to lunch in a restaurant or bar is to get a cream product that works for both cheeks and lips,” she said. “Apply with fingertips for a quick, yet pretty, touchup.”

4. Bronze wisely
Bronzer has endless benefits, according to Good Housekeeping magazine. It can make your teeth look whiter, eyes look brighter and give your skin that warmth and balance that makes you shine through the summertime. However, applying this product the wrong way could end up making you look a lot less flattering, so just make sure you bronze wisely. That means brushing the stuff over points on your face where the light hits it naturally – forehead, chin, nose and cheeks. If your hair is going up, show some attention to your neck and shoulders too.

If you're going to apply bronzer, be conscious of where it's going.If you’re going to apply bronzer, be conscious of where it’s going.

5. Avoid the shimmer
Highlighting might be in right now, but it’s probably in your best interest to take a break from it this summer.

“Let the sunshine do the job for you.”

“Avoid cream foundations or anything too luminous, as the humidity will make you extra shiny and sweaty-looking if you have too much sparkle on your skin,” makeup artists Fiona Stiles told Good Housekeeping.

Avoid going over the top – just keep your skin looking smooth and simple. Let the sunshine do the job for you.

6. Say yes to lip stains
Heavy lipsticks are great for winter, but summer is all about the lipstains. Their long-lasting, light weight formula makes them so versatile and sheer for the season.

“Stains are lovely because you can always add a lip balm to add moisture without worrying about the color traveling,” Stiles said.

Choose shades based on your skin tone – or take a chance and try a bold color you never pictured yourself going for.

7. Keep things simple
At the end of the day, you want your makeup to stay looking fresh no matter how hot it is. What’s the easiest way to make this happen? Consider this: Less is more. Because makeup likes to move around when it’s hot outside, your best bet is to wear less than you normally would. That way, you won’t have to worry about walking into the public restroom only to find a melted face staring back at you in the mirror.