5 Ways To Stop Your Make-Up Melting This Summer

Most warm-weather beauty looks don't call for a major make-up situation (we're looking at you, beachy days). But the times you do take the extra step to bronze your skin or apply a few swipes of mascara, you want to make it last. So we turned to celebrity make-up artist, Allan Avendaño, for advice on how to stretch the life of your make-up during the heat of summer.

1. Make Time To Prime

Don’t head straight for your base, instead start your make-up with a primer. Primer acts as a protective barrier and gives any complexion product something to adhere to. “When choosing a primer, skip thick, oil-based formulas, and opt for a version with a gel consistency” says Avendaño. We’re talking silky, lightweight primers like Benefit’s POREfessional. If your complexion is on the dry side, Avendaño suggests applying a light layer over your moisturiser, but if your skin gets greasy, skip moisturiser, and use it on its own under a base of your choice.

2. Lighten Up Your Base

Swap your heavier foundations and powders with lighter formulas like tinted moisturisers or BB and CC creams. “Using a lightweight base prevents a cakey appearance during the warmer weather. Thicker formulas can turn streaky, and melt off when mixed with excess sweat and natural oils,” says Avendaño. To thin out your base and make it more long-wearing, he recommends using a dampened beautyblender which blends product into the skin, rather than letting it just sit on the surface.

3. Opt For Liquid Or Cream Blush

To give your cheeks a sweet summer flush that won’t disappear within minutes, choose liquids or creams, like the Beautaniq Beauty Blush Serum. The serum-like texture blends seamlessly with minimal effort, and doesn’t appear streaky or uneven on your cheeks as day turns to night. “To apply, take a tiny amount onto your ring finger and dab in a circular motion moving upwards towards your temples,” says Avendaño. For even more staying power, he suggests sweeping a light layer of translucent loose powder, like BECCA’s Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder, on top of your blush to set it in place.

4. Stick To Water-Resistant Or Waterproof Mascara

Waterproof mascaras are a must for rocking volumised, lengthened lashes in the sweltering summer heat. Otherwise, "excess sweat and oils around your eye area can cause regular mascaras to turn into a smudgy mess,” says Avendaño. We like the Eyeko Sport Waterproof Mascara which keeps lashes defined sans smearing or clumping thanks to its water-resistant, sweatproof formula. Plus, its specially designed brush makes clump-free application a breeze.

5. Keep It Fresh

Like a topcoat for your nails, spritzing your skin with a setting spray not only ensures your make-up doesn't budge, but gives it new life throughout the day. As an extra insurance policy, mist a light layer over your skin after you’ve finished your make-up application to keep everything in place. We love Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer Water and Estee Lauder’s Set + Refresh Perfecting Makeup Mist for their soothing and reviving benefits and as a general pick-me-up throughout the day.