The Best Foundation for Summer, According to Celebrity MUAs

Plus, makeup tips to keep your beauty look from melting.

The best foundation for summer will stand up to heat and humidity — without melting off. And according to celebrity makeup artists Genevieve Herr and Cara Lovello, this is totally achievable with the right beauty routine and products. "The most important thing when doing a full face of makeup during the summer is to keep it fresh and light," says Herr. "You want your skin to be able to breathe, especially when it's humid out and you are more prone to sweating." To learn more, we chatted with Herr and Lovello to get their best tips for optimizing your foundation's staying power — and makeup in general — in the summer heat.

Related: 10 Long-Lasting Foundations That Stay Put All Day Long

Keep It Light

During the summer months, a lightweight foundation is your best friend and the answer to all-day coverage. Heavy foundations are more likely to cause sweatiness and thus melt right off into a goopy mess.

"In humid weather, your skin needs to be able to breathe, a lighter formula will help to achieve this," says Herr. "One of my must-haves is Lanc?me's Teint Idole Ultra 24H Longwear Foundation. It has a lightweight, breathable feel, 24-hour full matte coverage, and covers imperfections with ease."

To shop: $57; sephora.com

Thin Out Your Foundation

If you don't have a lightweight foundation, no problem. Herr suggests adding a drop of your favorite moisturizer to thin out your everyday foundation. "Adding moisturizer to your foundation can help to achieve a sheer summer glow," she explains.

Related: The 15 Best Skin Tints of 2023 for Skin That Looks Like Yours, But Better

Use a Primer

Primer helps to optimize the skin before makeup application and works wonders when it comes to keeping your foundation from sweating off. The light solution seals the pores, mattifies the skin, and helps reduce the production of oil. If you have oily skin, try using a mattifying primer to give your foundation all-day staying power and a flawless finish.

Bake Your Face

A quick search on YouTube and you'll find a ton of tutorials on how to bake your face. The popular method is a red-carpet favorite among many celebrities and can help your foundation stay put in hot weather. "Baking means you're putting excess powder on the skin to 'cook' the makeup on the face," says Lovello. "A lot of makeup artists use this method to help set the makeup, and the results are flawless."

Related: We Tested 35 Different Setting Powders — These 10 Actually Stand up to Shine

Go Easy on the Powder

Alternatively, you can try a minimal powder approach, Herr tells us. When you start to sweat, powder can appear chalky and caked on, enhancing imperfections and smile lines. "If powder is necessary, only use it on the T-zone," says Herr. "Always blot your face before powdering to pick up oil from your skin for longer-lasting application."

Use a Blending Sponge

Whether you go with the teardrop-shaped sponge you've seen influencers using in makeup tutorials, or a generic brand — use one. According to Lovello, these tools help to pick up excess foundation, meaning there is less chance of your makeup creasing on your skin. "The sponge helps achieve an overall flawless, airbrushed look that can withstand hot weather," says Lovello.

Related: We Tested 13 Makeup Sponges—These 4 Are the Best

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Blot With Sheets

If you're someone who has oily skin, you'll know that hot weather and excessive sweating can often produce an undesirable shine, especially on the T-zone. "Blotting sheets help soak oil as it surfaces," says Lovello. The miniature papers are super convenient and fit perfectly into your purse for quick touch-ups.

Related: The 10 Best Oil-Absorbing Products of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Finish With a Setting Spray

Setting spray has a similar effect as a primer, except you use it as the final step in your makeup application. Think of it as the finishing touch (like hairspray), since it helps lock in the foundation to prevent smudging, creasing, and fading. "Setting sprays melt all the layers of makeup together and prolong the wear," says Lovello. If you're prone to melty makeup, a spritz of setting spray will help keep the midday touch-ups to a minimum and lock in your look.

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