6 Melt-Proof Makeup Products You Won’t Sweat Off In The Office

Wearing makeup in the summer can be tricky. Humidity and sweat can ruin any look put together, leaving your makeup running down into a puddly mess. Or if you have oily skin, makeup in the heat can leave your face looking too dewy and not in a good, summer-glow way. 

The key to keeping your makeup in place during the summer isn’t just the products but also a good technique. Choosing products that can last through hot weather is important, but how you apply them also matters. We asked makeup artist Melisa Martin-Fetter of MeMaCreations about summer best practices and favorite products. 

The first step that you should take before applying any makeup is to apply whatever skincare you use in your regular routine and allow it to fully absorb into your skin. Hydrated skin is the best prep that you can do that will help your makeup last throughout the day. 

“Proper prep creates a smooth canvas and significantly improves the longevity of your makeup, even in heat and humidity,” said Melisa.

For primers, Melisa says to use a gripping or mattifying primer based on your skin type—gripping primers work well for normal to dry skin, while mattifying primers help control shine for oily or combination skin. Allow the primer to fully dry down or become tacky before applying any makeup. Her Agenda recommends the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer and the Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm Powder for the best grippy and mattifying primers, respectively. 

The key to wearing makeup in the summer is using products that increase longevity through humidity and sweat. Melisa recommends the NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation for its natural finish that works for all skin types and sweat resistance. But if you’re oily, a Her Agenda matte foundation favorite is the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation. 

For powder, Melisa recommends something finely-milled to control shine and lightweight enough to not feel heavy, such as the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder.

Setting Spray is the finishing touch to lock in all your makeup. You may have to occasionally blot sweat with blotting paper or powder throughout the day, but the function of a setting spray is to melt all the makeup products on your face into one immovable layer. 

“[Setting spray] melts the powders but also provides another shield of protection for the longevity of the right prep, product selection, and application techniques so your makeup can stay beautiful even on the hottest summer days,” says Melisa. The Mac Fix Plus is a cult classic alcohol-free setting spray that multitasks, primes, and sets makeup to last up to 12 hours. It’s also available in matte and radiant finishes.