Can You Wear Makeup In The Summer?

In the year of 2021, we've moved past hearing "Just don't wear any!" when asking about how to apply makeup in the summertime. Over time makeup wearers have learned that the summertime can screw up your makeup routine but let's be honest: summer doesn't put a halt to that dark spot you might want to cover, the fancy event you have to go to, or the plain fact that you just want makeup on your face. Instead of avoiding makeup this summer, let’s talk about ways to maintain makeup when the sun is working against your favor.

1. Wear Your SPF! First thing, apply sunscreen under your makeup. Your skin needs protection, whether you are wearing makeup or going barefaced for the day. The sun produces Ultraviolet (UV) rays that can be damaging if there is too much of this radiation penetrating your skin. There are two types of UV rays that can be harmful to skin: UVA rays and UVB rays. UVA rays can cause skin aging and decrease the body’s ability to fight sickness. UVB rays are what cause sunburn and skin cancer. SPF can protect your skin from these harmful sun rays. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends that your sunscreen be Broad-Spectrum protective, water resistant, and have SPF 30 or higher. You should wear sunscreen everyday, especially if you plan on being outside. Everyday means every single day; even on cloudy days the sun's rays can harm your skin!
2. Prime Time! Primers are created to enhance your makeup application, and there are so many to choose from. There are primers made to smooth the skin, blur out large pores, soothe skin and eliminate redness, and even to hydrate the skin. No matter what your skin type is, there is a primer that is a match made in heaven for you. Finding the right primer can make the biggest difference in your makeup routine all year round, not just for the summer. However, in the summer primers can be a great addition to your makeup routine because they aid with keeping makeup in place. In some cases, primer can control the amount of oil your skin produces so that your makeup can last even longer than its original wear time. 
3. Leave Foundation Alone! Next on the list is about how much makeup you should apply on a hot day. While it's not impossible to wear makeup in the heat, less is more, especially if you want to avert creasing and caking. Tinted moisturizers and BB & CC creams are great light coverage products that can still make a difference on your skin. These products are more sheer than your average foundation, which is great for a “no makeup” makeup look. Tinted moisturizers and BB/CC creams also have more humectants than foundation, which helps with moisturizing the skin by attracting water molecules in the air. 
4. Go Matte! If you insist on wearing foundation, try going matte instead of dewy. Matte foundations are formulated to resist the skin’s natural oils and last longer than dewy foundations, which is why they are recommended for those with oily skin types. Matte foundations are also known for having fuller coverage than dewy foundations, which is great for covering blemishes and marks on the face. 
5. Spot Conceal! Spot concealing is a great way to cover up marks or pimples instead of covering the whole face in foundation or a tinted moisturizer. Taking a full coverage concealer or a color correcting concealer and lightly tapping a few layers over your blemish with a concealer brush can be just as good as a full face of makeup.
6. Setting Powder! These powders act against any oil and shine your liquid makeup products leave on your face. They can come in different finishes and can match the tone of your skin or be translucent. Setting powders keep makeup in place, mattify the skin and can be used to blend bronzer, blush and even eyeshadow. Using setting powder to touch up your makeup is a great way to defeat any excess oil your face may create throughout the day.
7. Blotting Paper is a Life Saver! While setting powders are a great way to touch up makeup and remove any oil that’s been heaping, blotting papers can be a better alternative. Blotting papers are created to be gentle on the skin and they don’t remove your makeup in the process of removing oil. These papers are very different from tissue and wet wipes, which can remove your makeup and be harsh on the skin, especially any wet wipes that are alcohol based. Blotting papers will keep your face and makeup looking fresh under the sun.
8. Go Waterproof! If all else fails, water-proof makeup can save the day! For every liquid makeup product you own there is a waterproof version that you might fall in love with. There's waterproof mascaras, foundations, concealers, eyeliners and even lipsticks that will resist any moisture your skin is creating while you're under the sun. Waterproof makeup products are created to last for hours without touch-ups as well as withstand moisture, so you have nothing to worry about and you can enjoy your day outdoors. Brands like Tarte, Covergirl, and even Nyx Cosmetics have waterproof products in their catalog
9. Invest in Setting Spray! Aside from creasing and caking, outside's heat can cause your makeup to slide around your face. Setting sprays are great for keeping your makeup in place, but like any other product, some are better than others. Have you ever wondered about those that wear makeup in the heat as a profession, like a Disney princess for example? In 2016 Suzanne Jackson of SOSU Makeup and Tanning wrote an article about what products Disney Princesses use to withstand the Florida heat, and the key is Ben Nye's Final Seal Spray! This setting spray keeps makeup in place for 12 hours as well as preventing smudging, melting and staining clothes. Another setting spray Disney princesses use is Urban Decay's All Nighter Setting Spray, which is sold in Ulta Beauty and Sephora chain stores. Urban Decay's setting spray is one of my personal favorites because it's easy to get in stores and it keeps makeup set for over eight hours, which is usually all I need for a day. 

These tips for keeping your makeup on during the summer are sure to work! But just like anything else you place on your skin, be sure to check the ingredients of your products and do a skin patch test before wearing to avoid any skin sensitivities or allergic reactions on your face.