The sweat-proof makeup you need this summer

Every summer I dread the times I want to wear makeup. I’ll apply foundation, concealer, blush, mascara, and before I’ve even set foot out of the door, I’ve sweated half of it off. I’m left looking like a cakey mess.

Well, this year: no more! I’m making it my mission to find the best beauty products that can survive humid commutes, balmy nights, and sweaty workouts.

I’ve deep dived into some of the best primers, foundations, blushes, mascaras, setting sprays, and more, that are designed to keep your makeup locked in, looking smooth, and feeling fresh even on the hottest of days.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

ONE/SIZE Secure the Sweat Primer

$64 | Shop here

The ONE/SIZE Secure the Sweat Primer is a popular primer for hot, sweaty days thanks to its mattifying base packed with natural botanical ingredients and squalene instead of heavy aluminium. It is designed to control oil and lock makeup in place without clogging pores or drying the skin out. Gently press it onto sweat-prone areas like the forehead and chin to help prevent layered makeup from sliding or melting in the heat.

e.l.f. Power Grip Primer

$25.90 | Shop here

This drugstore favourite is a trustworthy primer pick for hotter days. It features a unique tacky gel texture and gripping technology that anchors makeup to the skin. It is infused with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which are designed to help keep the skin hydrated and reduce excess oil. 

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Natural Matte

$85 | Shop here

For a sweat-proof base, the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Natural Matte is a great shout. Combining high-performance oil control, a skin-balancing formula, and a natural-looking velvet finish, you can trust it not to be deterred by the heat. It features Air Licium technology that absorbs sebum and sweat, plus lentil seed extract that is designed to reduce the appearance of pores.

BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer

$60 | Shop here

This simple water-infused gel-cream is a lightweight, breathable, and oil-free tinted moisturiser, so it absorbs quickly into the skin, providing light, buildable coverage. Instead of caking when you sweat, it fades naturally. 

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Natural Glow Foundation

$124 | Shop here

For a more luxurious option, consider the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Natural Glow Foundation. It is heat-friendly, long-lasting, oil-free, and made with ingredients designed to create a flexible, breathable barrier over the skin. With ‘micro-fil’ technology, the product blends into the skin instead of sitting on the surface where sweat can easily disrupt it. 

Maybelline New York Sunkisser Blush

$13.12 | Shop here

This affordable blush has a specific melt-to-skin formula that is designed to resist heat, humidity, and sweat. The liquid-to-cream texture blends directly into the skin, locking in for up to 12 hours of wear.

Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek & Lip Tint

$59 | Shop here

Instead of a traditional cream or powder blush, the Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek & Lip Tint is a water-based liquid stain that absorbs and dyes the skin directly. It is thin, breathable, and its long-lasting pigment is transfer-proof.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Brow Laminating Gel

$18 | Shop here

For affordable, smooth, and locked-in brows, this pick is a go-to. With a water-resistant grip, a flake-resistant hold, and a precision applicator, you can trust that the eyebrows you have set will withstand sweat, rain, and more.

Benefit Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara

$52 | Shop here

Thanks to its water-resistant and humidity-proof formula that keeps the pigment intact, this mascara avoids the dreaded panda eyes. The formula wraps around each eyelash, helping to create a water-repellent barrier. Plus, it washes off easily with simple makeup remover. 

Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara

Was $70, now $62.88

The Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara is a much-praised sweat-proof mascara, thanks to its high-performance polymers and specialised hourglass brushes, which help lock in massive volume and curl even in heat, humidity, and sweaty activity.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder

$72 | Shop here

Pre setting spray, you need an ultra-fine setting powder that locks makeup in place without feeling heavy. It is oil-absorbent, weightless, and soft-focus blurring, designed to even out texture when the skin heats up.

ONE/SIZE On Til Dawn Setting Spray

$30 | Shop here

The final step in the routine is locking all the product in with a setting spray. The ONE/SIZE On Til Dawn Setting Spray uses a specialised aerosol formula with film-forming polymers, oil-control and pore-blurring ingredients designed to lock makeup in place for up to 16 hours through extreme heat, humidity, and moisture.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray

$63 | Shop here

Naturally, the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is a crowd-favourite for creating an invisible, breathable lock over your makeup. It is tested to be waterproof and transfer-resistant without leaving the skin feeling tight or crackly.

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