The Best Makeup for Hot and Humid Weather, According to a Professional Makeup Artist

Condé Nast Traveler

a day ago

Summer vacations are for exploring tropical destinations, lounging on sun-soaked beaches, and indulging in freshly caught seafood. Hot and humid locations, though, usually cause you to immediately sweat off any makeup you've put on. I want to look my best when I'm traveling, but all it takes is five minutes in the island sun to have my mascara running down my face. To help create a summer makeup routine that can withstand high temperatures all day—and night—long, I turned to Sephora's beauty director and professional makeup artist David Razzano for his best tips for heatproof vacation makeup.
The best makeup for hot, humid weather is long-lasting and practically weightless, allowing you to look and feel your best without needing to wear a ton of heavy products or worrying about it sliding right off. Razzano recently did my makeup using his tried-and-true warm-weather products and walked me through his best tricks for applying makeup that actually lasts. Below, a guide to lightweight, working-for-you makeup that will hold up in any hot and humid destination, whether you're island hopping around Greece, checking into a Caribbean resort, or just riding the New York City subway.
Before actually applying any makeup, prep your face with the right skincare that will help your products last longer. Step one: 'Get yourself a great hydrating spray,' says Razzano. 'Dont slug and slather because it's just going to feel really heavy.' A lightweight spray, like Summer Friday's Jet Lag hydration mist, added a nice base layer of moisture to my face while also cooling it down. 'Humidity is a great instance for a primer,' he says. Razzano added the One Size Secure the Sweat waterproof mattifying primer with his fingers to help the rest of my makeup lay nicely and stay put.
After some quick skin prep, it's time for the makeup. 'Use your concealer first because you don't want to put your liquids [makeup] on top of your powder—that's the rule of thumb,' says Razzano. Tower 28's Swipe All-Over hydrating serum concealer helps hide blemishes and brighten up my tired under eyes. Just when I thought Razzano was going to pull out a tinted moisturizer or a lightweight foundation, he surprised me. 'When you're in a hot and humid environment, nothing tops powder foundation—even if you have dry skin,' he says. A powder foundation? I thought this would feel heavy and look cake-y on my skin—but it was quite the opposite. I couldn't believe how weightless it felt on the skin, all while evening out my skin tone and blurring imperfections. 'A big, loose brush is going to give you a sheer coverage, while a smaller, compact brush will give a heavier coverage,' he says. After applying the powder foundation, Razzano recommends locking it in with another spritz of Summer Friday's hydrating mist—a.k.a. my newest summer essential.
Razzano is applying Milk Makeup's Waterproof Rise Lifting and Lengthening mascara on commerce editor Meaghan Kenny
'A bronzer is a great way to slowly add color back to the face,' says Razzano. He applied LYS Beauty's No Limits matte bronzer to the high points of my face that naturally get kissed by the sun—the top of my forehead, cheeks, and nose. This gave me a bronzy glow that's perfect for vacation. After adding a lightweight, clear brow gel, Razzano moved onto the eyes. He curled my lashes and applied a waterproof mascara. 'Your lashes are much more likely to fall and go straight when the air itself is heavier,' he says. Milk Makeup's Waterproof Rise Lifting and Lengthening mascara proved to be the star of the show. This was the product I nearly grabbed out of his hand to see what it was—my lashes have never looked that long or that full. And when I'm sweating in the heat or taking a dip in the hotel pool, I won't have to worry about this mascara running or flaking.
Kenny is wearing Cay Skin's lip balm with SPF
'The final step in the complexion that I would say is really important is a good setting spray,' says Razzano. He chose One Size's aptly named On' Til Dawn mattifying waterproof setting spray to lock in the makeup. And finally, a little pop of color: 'If you want something really easy, think of a tinted lip balm,' he says. Cay Skin's lip balm added a nice rosy pink tint to my lips and provides SPF 30 protection. Face sunscreen is a part of my daily skincare routine, but I never think to add SPF protection to my lips. It's safe to say this lip balm is now a must-have in my beach bag for on-the-go touch-ups. And voila! It was the perfect amount of makeup—it left me feeling confident and put together, while still being quick and looking effortless. And to my surprise, hours later, my makeup was still going strong—no creasing, melting, or caking in sight.
I've already adopted Razzano's heatproof makeup routine and will be wearing it constantly this summer, including on a trip to Scottsdale this July and long days spent down the Jersey Shore. You'll find these water-, sweat-, and heat-proof essentials in my makeup bag all summer long.