Hot, humid days can be a beauty nightmare. Whether you’re dealing with a summer heatwave, a tropical vacation, or just a day out in the sun, keeping your makeup fresh, matte, and intact all day can seem like an impossible task. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with the best makeup products that are designed to withstand the heat, humidity, and sweat — ensuring your skin stays flawless from morning to night.
I’ll walk you through the best makeup products to keep your skin matte and fresh, how to choose the right products for your skin type, and provide tips on application techniques to ensure your makeup stays in place all day. Plus, I’ll suggest some UK-based shopping platforms where you can find these must-have products.
1. Start with a Good Primer: The Foundation for All-Day Wear
Primer is essential for creating a smooth base and ensuring your makeup adheres well, especially on hot days when sweat and oil are more likely to break down your makeup. Look for primers with mattifying properties to control shine and blurring formulas to minimize the appearance of pores.
Recommended Products:
- Smashbox Photo Finish Mattify Primer
- Best For: Oily and combination skin that needs long-lasting shine control.
- Key Ingredients: A blend of oil-absorbing minerals and silk proteins.
- How to Use: Apply a thin layer to clean, moisturized skin. Focus on the T-zone or any areas that are prone to oil.
- Where to Buy: Boots
- Too Faced Primed & Peachy Cooling Matte Primer
- Best For: Those with oily skin who also want a cooling, refreshing effect.
- Key Ingredients: Peach and fig milk for a soft-focus matte finish.
- How to Use: Apply a pea-sized amount to the skin after moisturizer. Use it all over your face or just on areas that need extra control.
- Where to Buy: LookFantastic
- Benefit The POREfessional Pore Minimizing Primer
- Best For: Pore-prone skin that needs shine control and a smooth base.
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin E and silicones that smooth and mattify the skin.
- How to Use: Pat the product into your skin with your fingertips for a smooth, pore-free look.
- Where to Buy: John Lewis
Tip for Applying Primer: Always apply primer after your skincare routine, but before foundation. Make sure to let the primer set for a few minutes before moving on to foundation to ensure it works its magic.
2. Choose a Sweat-Proof, Matte Foundation
When it comes to foundation for hot days, you’ll want a product that provides full coverage, controls oil, and won’t slip off as the temperature rises. Look for long-wear formulas that are oil-free and have a matte finish to prevent unwanted shine.
Recommended Products:
- Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
- Best For: Oily and combination skin that needs long-lasting coverage and a smooth matte finish.
- Key Ingredients: A soft matte formula that controls oil without being drying.
- How to Use: Apply with a makeup sponge for a natural finish, or a brush for full coverage.
- Where to Buy: Boots
- Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
- Best For: Anyone who needs a full-coverage, long-wear foundation that lasts even in hot and humid conditions.
- Key Ingredients: Oil-absorbing powders and long-wear polymers.
- How to Use: Apply with a brush or sponge and set with a powder for all-day matte coverage.
- Where to Buy: Selfridges
- Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
- Best For: Oily and combination skin looking for a budget-friendly option with great results.
- Key Ingredients: Clay and minerals that control shine and minimize pores.
- How to Use: Apply with your fingers or a sponge, and build up coverage as desired.
- Where to Buy: Boots
Tip for Applying Foundation: Use a damp sponge to apply foundation for a smooth, airbrushed effect. Avoid using a heavy hand, as you want the makeup to look natural and breathable.
3. Set It All with a Long-Wear Powder
Setting your foundation is key to making sure your makeup stays in place on hot days. You’ll want a translucent or mattifying powder that locks your makeup in place and helps control oil throughout the day.
Recommended Products:

- Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
- Best For: Setting makeup without adding any extra coverage or texture.
- Key Ingredients: Silica and light-reflecting particles that ensure a flawless finish.
- How to Use: Use a fluffy brush to lightly dust all over the face or focus on areas prone to oil.
- Where to Buy: Cult Beauty
- Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder
- Best For: Budget-friendly matte setting that controls shine all day.
- Key Ingredients: Silica and mica, which absorb oil and reduce shine.
- How to Use: Apply with a powder puff or brush and lightly dust over your face, especially in the T-zone.
- Where to Buy: Superdrug
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
- Best For: Creating a smooth, airbrushed look while keeping oil at bay.
- Key Ingredients: Silica and anti-aging ingredients for a youthful finish.
- How to Use: Apply a thin layer using a fluffy powder brush to avoid a cakey finish.
- Where to Buy: Selfridges
Tip for Applying Powder: Don’t overdo it! Apply a light layer to set your makeup, especially on the T-zone. If you apply too much powder, it can make your makeup look cakey and heavy.
4. Make Your Eyes Pop: Long-Wear Eyeshadows and Mascara
When it’s hot, you want your eyeshadow to stay put and your lashes to stay lifted. Go for water-resistant formulas to prevent smudging, especially around the eyes.
Recommended Products:
- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
- Best For: Creating a long-lasting base for eyeshadows, especially on hot days.
- Key Ingredients: Anti-aging ingredients to smooth and prime the lids.
- How to Use: Apply a thin layer to eyelids before applying eyeshadow to ensure it stays put.
- Where to Buy: Sephora
- Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
- Best For: Long-lasting curl and volume without smudging or flaking.
- Key Ingredients: Water-resistant formula to prevent raccoon eyes.
- How to Use: Apply two coats to achieve dramatic volume and hold.
- Where to Buy: LookFantastic
- MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot
- Best For: A crease-proof, water-resistant eyeshadow that won’t budge in the heat.
- Key Ingredients: Smooth formula that stays in place all day.
- How to Use: Apply with fingers or a brush directly to eyelids.
- Where to Buy: MAC Cosmetics UK
Tip for Applying Eye Makeup: Use a primer on your eyelids to ensure your eyeshadow doesn’t crease. For mascara, always opt for waterproof formulas to prevent smudging, especially in humid conditions.
5. Set Your Makeup: The Finishing Touch
To ensure your makeup stays fresh and matte throughout the day, don’t forget to use a setting spray. Setting sprays lock everything in place and add a layer of protection against sweat and humidity.
Recommended Products:

- Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
- Best For: Ensuring makeup lasts all day and night without melting off.
- Key Ingredients: Temperature Control Technology that helps makeup stay in place.
- How to Use: Hold the bottle 8–10 inches away from your face and mist evenly.
- Where to Buy: Boots
- Morphe Continuous Setting Mist
- Best For: A lightweight mist that locks in your makeup without a sticky residue.
- Key Ingredients: Aloe and Vitamin E to hydrate and soothe skin.
- How to Use: Mist all over your face after finishing your makeup to set everything in place.
- Where to Buy: Cult Beauty
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
- Best For: Ensuring a matte finish and long-lasting makeup wear.
- Key Ingredients: A hydrating formula that keeps makeup intact for hours.
- *How to Use:* Hold at arm’s length and spray in an “X” and “T” motion to cover your entire face.
- Where to Buy: Selfridges
Tip for Applying Setting Spray: Make sure you’re applying it in light, even layers. Too much spray can make your makeup look damp, so go easy!
Stay Matte, Stay Fresh
Hot weather doesn’t have to be a reason to skip makeup. With the right products, you can keep your face matte, fresh, and flawless all day long. From primers and foundations to setting sprays, the right combination of makeup will help you brave the heat without worrying about your makeup sliding off.
For the best deals and convenience, I recommend shopping at UK-based platforms such as Boots, LookFantastic, Sephora, and Cult Beauty, which offer a variety of long-wearing, sweat-proof products that will help you stay fresh under the summer sun.
So go ahead and embrace the heat — your flawless makeup awaits!
+ There are no comments
Add yours