Bye, raccoon eyes: 7 tips for sweat-proof make-up this summer, from beauty influencer Huda Kattan’s ‘baking’ technique, to using waterproof products, primers and setting sprays

Jul 27 , 2023

Make-up artist, beauty blogger and entrepreneur Huda Kattan has a few tricks up her sleeves for sweat-proof make-up. Photo: @huda/Instagram

Nobody wants their make-up melting off amid summer heat and humidity, whether at the beach or on holiday – time to level up your skincare for sweat-proof make-up

Be sure to carry touch-up essentials – like Rihanna during her Super Bowl performance – or try the Huda Kattan-popularised ‘baking’ technique with translucent powder

Don’t you hate it when your make-up melts off as soon as you step outside into the heat, leaving you feeling like you’re wearing watercolour paint?

Whether you’re headed to a sizzling summer party, a day at the beach or an outdoor adventure, combating the challenges posed by heat, humidity and sweat is essential for keeping your make-up intact all day long.

Wondering how to achieve a sweat-proof make-up look that will stay put no matter how hot it gets? Here are some strategies, products and application techniques you can rely on.

1. Keep your skincare simple

CeraVe products are great for gently cleaning your face before applying make-up. Photo: Handout

The foundation for a long-lasting, sweat-proof make-up look starts with properly prepping your skin. “Start by cleansing your face with a gentle, oil-free cleanser to remove any excess oil and impurities,” says Los Angeles-based celebrity make-up artist Carola Pizarro. “Follow up with a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser that won’t weigh your skin down or clog your pores.”

For your make-up to be sweat-proof, experts advise starting with an oil-free moisturiser that won’t clog your pores. Photo: Handout

Keep it simple: cleanse, tone, moisturise and protect your skin from UV radiation. Most importantly, allow your skincare to sink in before putting on make-up.

2. Application techniques matter

Make-up application techniques matter. Photo: L’Oréal

The way you apply your make-up can make a significant difference in its longevity during hot summer days. For example, instead of applying a thick layer of foundation all at once, building it up in thin layers will not only provide better coverage but also increase the foundation’s staying power.

Beauty blogger Huda Kattan has a beauty hack for hot summer days that she calls “baking” in her tutorials. Photo: Huda Beauty

Another hack is “baking” your make-up after applying concealer by dusting translucent powder under your eyes or any spots where your skin tends to crease, and letting it sit for five to 10 minutes. After time has passed, dust off the remaining product to reveal how the heat from your skin helped set the make-up, ensuring it stays put.

3. All hail primer

Incorporate primers for sweat-proof make-up. Photo: e.l.f.