As the holiday season approaches, everyone seems to be in a good mood. Packing the suitcase becomes an event, choosing outfits, planning sightseeing trips, and finding the best places to eat. And the HEAT, oh, how gorgeous is the consistent heat! 😎
Only one little snag: how to keep the makeup intact in that glorious heat 🥵. In this post, we will give a rundown of some of the best holiday hacks to help keep your makeup melt-proof without the hassle of touch-ups or missing out on any activities!
“Should I wear makeup on the beach? Perhaps not. Do I wear makeup on the beach? Yes.”
Before you come for me, I definitely do not feel alone in this thought. After talking to multiple women of all ages, there were various reasons for this. The most common appeared to be:
- Acne scars
- Dark circles
- Sparse eyebrows
- Avoiding looking/feeling ‘washed out’ pre-tan at the start of the holiday
This guide is not about the shoulds and should-nots of when wearing makeup is appropriate, but more to share ideas for those times when we might want to wear it in extreme conditions; like summer heat or vacation. There is no delusion; obviously, makeup-free is optimal, but for me personally, I just don’t always feel like it. So why feel uncomfortable when it is so easy to fix?
Things I found last well and look natural: cream products, lip and cheek tints, brow pomades.
Things I avoid: Powder products, heavy matte lips, eyeshadow, eyeliner.
1. The Base
Skip the full face of makeup and go for spot concealing. Foundation can be way too high maintenance when you want to do watersports and stuff. Save it for the evening, and even then, go for something super lightweight like a tinted moisturizer.
Thick creamy concealers (with SPF if possible) are perfect. You can easily apply them with your fingers so the product just melts into your skin. And LESS is more. Like, literally only place it where you really feel you need it to soften, e.g., acne scars.
Tip: Apply your highlighter first, then do your brows. You’ll start to feel more ‘done’ and automatically apply less concealer.
2. Glow On: Highlighters And Illuminators
Achieving that natural, vacation glow is all about the right products. Liquid or cream highlighters are great options that last in the heat. Apply with your fingers or a small stippling brush to give the thinnest veil. When it catches the light, it will give the most gorgeous and subtle radiance.
3. Multi-Taskers: Lip And Cheek Tints
Tints and stains are awesome in hot weather. If you’re not used to using them, definitely ask in-store for a demo and most importantly, try it in-store yourself. They often aren’t given as samples due to their thin consistency and hygiene concerns. It took me some time to figure them out, but I found a small stippling brush works amazingly with tints.
4. Eye Essentials: Waterproof Mascara
If you opt for mascara, waterproof formulas can work wonders. Apply only to the outer corners of the upper lashes for a low-key cat eye.
5. Setting It Right: Sweat-Proof Setting Sprays
There is no need to mess around with setting powder on the beach. A simple setting spray can work fine and double to soothe your skin in the heat. While these may not officially be ‘setting sprays,’ products like rose water and aloe vera juice work great and allow your skin to breathe while also cooling it down.
6. Brows
Keep it simple. Saltwater can dry in white spots on your brows. Hands down, the best item I have tried is brow pomade. From a little splash to multiple dives into the ocean, my brows remained intact, drying with no white spots.
To see some products I use check out My Summer Faves TikTok post!
7. On-the-Go Products
When it is super hot, it’s wise to avoid repeatedly dipping a powder puff into your powder to remove shine. It can clog pores and the sweat/powder mix can attract other particles like dust and sand. Blot papers, thick tissue or kitchen paper are good go-to’s for blotting sweat-prone areas.
8. Sun Protection Top Up
Remember to retouch that sun protection as it will come off when you swim and sweat. You can get some fantastic sprays now that are super convenient and easy to apply on top of makeup.
9. Basic Moisturizer
In and out of the pool, saltwater, and sweating can make the skin feel dry or tight. Take a mini version or little sample container of a basic moisturizer. If your skin feels tight, take a small amount, rub your palms together, and press them on the areas that feel dry. Then reapply SPF.
10. Keep Them Cool
If you take a cooler box to the beach, store your small beauty items for touch-ups there. There are also super cheap mini cooler bags or kids’ mini cooler bags online that are perfect for small makeup items.
Maintaining a flawless makeup look during your vacation doesn’t have to be a challenge. With the right sweat-proof makeup products and a few handy tips, you can enjoy your holiday without worrying about makeup meltdowns. Experiment with these products and techniques to find what works best for your skin type and preferences.
We’d love to hear your own holiday makeup tips and favorite products. Share them in the comments below and let’s help each other stay fabulous even in the hottest summer days!
