As a new season rolls in, it’s time to adapt our beauty routines to make sure our Makeup can make it through the day (and night). But what’s the secret to making our summer makeup looks last all day?

The key is to learn how to make your makeup sweat-proof, because that’s what we’re really battling in these hot summer months!

So here’s your go-to guide on how to apply makeup in summer properly, as well as some can’t-live-without summer makeup tips to make sure your skin has just the right amount of shine this season. 

Step #1: SPF

Contrary to popular belief, you should lather yourself in sunscreen not just in summer, but the whole year round - particularly if you live in Australia. To make sure that you’re properly protecting yourself, pour out around three teaspoons of SPF 50+ and apply to your face and neck area. We know it might seem like a lot, but it is the amount required to actually give you full, proper sun protection.

As it’s recommended that you reapply your sunscreen every two hours after your initial base layer. But how do you manage that when you’ve put on a full face of makeup on top?

Here’s how to apply SPF with makeup: Use a simple dish soap to clean an old liquid foundation compact cushion and then leave it to dry. Once you have this squeaky clean sponge, soak it with your favourite sunscreen and then dab onto your face. This will boost your SPF protection while not completely ruining your makeup. WIN!

Step #2: Primer

Primer will, without a doubt, be your saving grace throughout the summer months because it can help make your makeup last longer, even in a heatwave. (Read: To avoid your makeup melting off your face during a 40-degree day, don’t forget to prep with a base layer of primer.

The best primer for summer would definitely be a blur primer - actually, sticking to blurring makeup products is a great tip in general for hot summer months! Help your makeup go the distance this season by investing in a budge-proof, melt-proof and shine minimising Blur Primer.

Step #3: BB Cream

Foundation devotees may shudder at the thought of going sans-full coverage, but let us let you in on a little secret: makeup likes to move around when it’s hot, so the best way to avoid that is to minimise your product quota.

Which is why trading in your heavier foundation for a lightweight BB cream will prevent your makeup from creasing and looking messy, while giving you that summery glow. As a top summer makeup tip: go for a BB cream with SPF in it - just like our BB Cream All In One Skin Perfector.

Step #4: Bronzer

Who doesn’t want to nail that bronze makeup look? Bronze makeup looks scream summer, and to keep the results looking fresh and natural, here’s how to apply bronzer flawlessly.

Simply brush natural bronze makeup to the high points of your face - where the sun would naturally hit you. AKA your forehead, cheekbones, chin and nose. If you stray beyond those key points and cover every nook and cranny then you can end up with that fake-baked look.

To turn the shine dial to the perfect degree, opt for a soft shimmery shade like ‘Miami Heat’ in the Get Glowing Pressed Mineral Bronzer. 

Step #5: Water Resistant Mascara

If there’s even a minuscule chance that you’re going to be dive-bombing into a pool, then prepare with trusty water resistant mascara. A couple of flicks of a water resistant mascara means you won’t smear your makeup and be left with clumpy eyelashes.

Our absolute fave for the summer months is the Lash Extensions Mascara in the blackest of blacks. This one will easily become a staple in your summer makeup collection.

Step #6: Sweat-Proof Brows

If you’ve just spent the morning executing those perfectly sculpted brows, the last thing you want to do is for your brows to collapse in a sweaty, summer heap. Which is why you need to hunt down a smudge-resistant brow pomade, much like our Creamy Brow Pomade.

If you’re wondering how to set brows properly, use the precision tip of your brow brush and apply the pomade in short upward strokes between your real brow hairs for a fuller effect that won’t disappear midway through a summer's day. 

Step #7: Makeup Setting Spray

Once you’ve created a makeup masterpiece, you’re going to want to lock everything in. That’s where makeup setting spray comes into play. 

This is the final step in getting your makeup to last all day and night (and the world’s worst kept secret on how to make your makeup sweat-proof), and the best thing is that all it takes is a spritz of a trusted setting spray to seal in your look. To enhance your summer glow, try our Mist Me Setting Spray in Rosewater for a refreshing summer scent and a boost of radiance.

Ready to Create your Summer Makeup Looks?

And there you have it, the 7 simple steps to summer-proofing your Makeup! Now all you need to do is to make sure you’re stocked up on all the products that will work hard to make your makeup last all day and all night. Shop our longwearing makeup now so you’re fully equipped for the summer months!