{
  "id": 1225655,
  "title": "I tested every summer makeup trick — here’s what actually works in high humidity",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/i-tested-every-summer-makeup-trick-heres-what-actually-works-in-high",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-16T07:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Guide",
    "slug": "tom-s-guide",
    "url": "https://www.tomsguide.com/home/i-tested-every-summer-makeup-trick-heres-what-actually-works-in-high-humidity"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "During the hot summer months, applying makeup that disappears or looks ruined due to sweat and heat can be an inevitable struggle. After years of dealing with this issue, I decided to investigate ways to maintain a fresh and confident look even when the weather is hot. The key to achieving this lies in proper skincare preparations. From using lightweight moisturizers to incorporating sweatproof products, here are the simple steps I follow to ensure my makeup stays in place and allows me to enjoy the sun with confidence.\n\nSwitch to a lightweight moisturizer (Image: © Shutterstock)\nDuring most of the year, I use rich night and morning creams to keep my skin hydrated. However, when temperatures soar, heavy creams cause my makeup to slide off. To address this, I replace my daily cream with an oil-free gel moisturizer that hydrates my skin without adding extra weight. My favorite choice is the CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel, which absorbs quickly, leaves a dry-touch finish, and is suitable for all skin types in hot weather.\n\nLayer on a lightweight sunscreen (Image: © Shutterstock)\nBefore applying any makeup, applying sunscreen daily is non-negotiable. The general rule is to put on your SPF right after your moisturizer dries, but before adding any primer. Heavier, greasier sunscreens break down makeup in high heat, so I prefer lightweight, fast-absorbing fluids that sit invisibly under cosmetics. Two of my must-haves are Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun, a K-beauty favorite that feels light and hydrating, and La Roche-Posay's Light Fluid sunscreen, which excels in humid conditions and dries matte.\n\nLock down your base with a skin-gripping primer (Image: © Shutterstock)\nSkipping primer in the summer leads to makeup that slides away. To prevent this, I apply a gel-based, skin-gripping primer like e.l.f. Power Grip Primer. This creates a flexible base that acts like double-sided tape for cosmetics, locking my look in place throughout the day. To maximize its effectiveness, I wait about 60 seconds for the primer to set before applying any makeup, preventing my foundation from pilling due to the heat.\n\nSwap heavy foundation for light coverage (Image: © Shutterstock)\nFull-coverage foundations and high heat are not a good match. They tend to cake, settle into fine lines, and separate as soon as you sweat. During the summer, I replace heavy liquid foundations with lightweight BB creams, CC creams, or tinted moisturizers. To keep everything in place, I apply a light layer of translucent matte powder focusing on oily areas around my nose and forehead. If my shine appears later in the afternoon, a quick blot and a small dab of powder on my T-zone are enough to maintain a fresh application.",
  "summary": "Tired of your makeup smudging in high temperatures? Discover simple steps, skin prep tips, and product recommendations to keep your look fresh all summer.",
  "key_points": [
    "Switch to lightweight moisturizer to prevent makeup from sliding off",
    "Apply lightweight, fast-absorbing sunscreen before makeup",
    "Use skin-gripping primer to lock makeup in place throughout the day"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}