Not all makeup is meant to last. If you want your face makeup to stay intact at that backyard barbeque or summer wedding, you need to choose your makeup products carefully or risk a full-on makeup meltdown situation. Makeup “melting” off is usually a sign that the beauty products you’re using are going up against the oils coming from your sweat glands, causing the makeup to slide right off the side of your face. Some products simply aren’t formulated to last all day, so even if you apply a generous amount of makeup in the morning, it can fade quickly the second you break into a sweat.
To keep your makeup from sweating or melting off, it’s important to apply layers, says celebrity makeup artist Cara Lovello. Start with cream products, and then powder products on top to set everything in place. When shopping for sweatproof makeup, look for mattifying and long-wear products, and avoid formulas that enhance the glow or promote a dewy finish.
Best sweat-proof makeup products
Makeup artists are masterful at making makeup look flawless for 10+ hours, which is why we tapped a handful of professionals to share their tried-and-tested sweat-proof makeup products and tips on what to look for if you want them to last all day, even at the peak of summer.
What to consider
Many makeup products claim to be long-lasting, but how can you tell if a formula will actually stand up to the heat this summer? Before you start adding things to your cart, there are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping for sweatproof makeup products:
Waterproof
“Waterproof and sweat-proof go hand in hand,” says celebrity makeup artist Charlie Riddle. If you want to make sure your makeup stays put, look for waterproof formulas, since they act as a barrier against sweat and actually repel moisture away from your makeup. If you have hooded eyes or long eyelashes, you’ll want to look for waterproof mascaras and eyeliners to prevent your eye makeup from running or smudging.
Noncomedogenic
Long-wearing makeup products can sometimes contain ingredients that settle in your pores, which can help extend the life of your look, but may also lead to skin problems down the line. In the summer, when we sweat more, our pores are more open, says celebrity makeup artist Cat Mignano. Noncomedogenic products are formulated not to clog your pores, which is crucial when our skin is more exposed.
Mattifying
The secret to making your makeup last all day long is all in the prep work. Before you apply a waterproof foundation, make sure your skin is primed and ready to accept the products you’re putting on top. Primer acts as a barrier between your skin and the makeup and creates the smoothest, most effective canvas for your face paint. Using mattifying powders on top of your foundation and primer helps the products bond together, sandwiching the foundation between two layers of oil-absorbing protection, which helps your makeup last longer.
The best sweat-proof makeup products are buildable and lightweight, but stay put on your skin. Ditch the liquid blushes and glowy primers and instead reach for waterproof mascara, and oil-absorbing powders. And whatever you do, don’t forget the setting spray. Here are the best sweat-proof makeup products that will help lock in your look and prolong your makeup’s longevity even on the hottest summer days.
Pros
- Great for oily skin
- Stops makeup transfer onto clothes
- Keeps shine at bay
Cons
- Smells like hairspray
- Nozzle can get clogged easily
After talking to multiple makeup artists about their favorite sweat-proof products, only one product was repeatedly recommended, and it’s this setting spray. Experts love it for its incredible staying power and ability to lock your makeup in perfectly, especially on those hot and humid days. The aerosol spray comes out as a superfine mist and goes on evenly in a very light layer, which is all you need to keep your face in place all day long.
“This acts like an aerosol glue for makeup,” says Mignano. “When I need makeup to last all day, I spray this at the end of the skin prep process and again at the end of my makeup routine.” Apply generously, and when you think you’ve sprayed too much, spray a little more.
Testers have worn this out on especially humid days and found that the primer’s waterproof formula helped keep their face paint on for more than three hours. Experts also recommend spritzing this on throughout the day for extra fortification. “Just try it and thank me later!” says Mignano. Though one note, our testers did say that the formula has a chemically scent, which might not to appeal to everyone.
Read More: Best Makeup Setting Sprays
| Waterproof | Yes |
|---|---|
| Noncomedogenic | No |
| Mattifying | Yes |
After talking to multiple makeup artists about their favorite sweat-proof products, only one product was repeatedly recommended, and it’s this setting spray. Experts love it for its incredible staying power and ability to lock your makeup in perfectly, especially on those hot and humid days. The aerosol spray comes out as a superfine mist and goes on evenly in a very light layer, which is all you need to keep your face in place all day long.
“This acts like an aerosol glue for makeup,” says Mignano. “When I need makeup to last all day, I spray this at the end of the skin prep process and again at the end of my makeup routine.” Apply generously, and when you think you’ve sprayed too much, spray a little more.
Testers have worn this out on especially humid days and found that the primer’s waterproof formula helped keep their face paint on for more than three hours. Experts also recommend spritzing this on throughout the day for extra fortification. “Just try it and thank me later!” says Mignano. Though one note, our testers did say that the formula has a chemically scent, which might not to appeal to everyone.
Read More: Best Makeup Setting Sprays
Pros
- Doesn’t crease or smudge, even in extreme heat
- Precise tip creates the perfect thin flick
- Very pigmented matte black color
- Great for oily lids
Cons
- Can dry out quickly
Two of the makeup artists we talked to vouched for the staying power of this eyeliner from Stila. Not only is it sweat-proof, but it’s also waterproof, transfer-proof and smudge-proof. The felt tip easily creates a smooth line without feathering and dries quickly.
“This is a makeup must-have,” says Riddle. “You can swim in this liner, go out dancing, get married or even run a marathon and it will not move.”
Many people that sweat off or easily smear their eyeliner have oily eyelids. As the oils come out in your skin, they can start to break down your eye makeup products. Testers say this option can help your liner stay on all day long. Makeup artists love that this can create thin or thick strokes, depending on how much pressure you apply, so you can easily switch up your look.
Read More: Best Liquid Eyeliners
| Waterproof | Yes |
|---|---|
| Noncomedogenic | Yes |
| Mattifying | Yes |
Pros
- Brush grips lashes at the base for even coverage
- Lengthens while adding volume
- Doesn’t clump
Cons
- Can irritate sensitive eyes
- Difficult to remove without eye makeup remover
To keep your lashes looking full and voluminous all day without flaking, swap out your regular mascara with a waterproof formulation like this one from Maybelline.
Waterproof mascara ensures no flaking or smudging under the eyes when you start to sweat, says celebrity makeup artist Cat Mignano. “This is my go-to for long-lasting wear.”
We found that the flexible brush coats every little lash with just the right amount of mascara to open up your eyes and make them pop. If you curl your lashes, the waterproof formula is powerful enough to help your lashes stay perfectly curled all day long. Testers say the lightweight formula keeps your lashes looking voluminous without weighing them down.
If you don’t typically reach for waterproof mascara, it can be difficult to remove, which can take some getting used to. Pressing an oil-based eye makeup remover or cleansing balm on a cotton round against your closed eye and holding it there for 10-20 seconds usually does the trick.
Read More: Best Tubing Mascara
| Waterproof | Yes |
|---|---|
| Noncomedogenic | No |
| Mattifying | No |
Pros
- Doesn’t look cakey
- Leaves a velvety matte finish
- Finely milled texture makes it easy to apply only what you need to take away shine
Cons
- Expensive for a touch up powder
- Bulky packaging isn’t ideal for taking it on-the-go
Powder can be a powerful weapon against shine and sweat, but not all powders are created equal. Some formulas can be very cakey, for lack of a better word, which can make your makeup look thick and greasy. Celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney likes this powder because it’s very sheer and buildable. The talc-free formula instantly absorbs excess oil on the surface of the skin while also blurring the appearance of pores for a flawless, nearly airbrushed finish–even if it’s the middle of day.
“This is a new powder product that I love to use to knock out any shine on the T-zone, and the packaging is perfect to throw in your handbag for re-application through the day,” she says.
| Waterproof | No |
|---|---|
| Noncomedogenic | Yes |
| Mattifying | Yes |
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder
Pros
- Great for oil control
- Blurs pores
- White powder completely disappears into the skin
Cons
- Can wipe off your makeup in patches if not applied properly
You might recognize this powder from its appearance at the SuperBowl when Rihanna used it to touch up her makeup during her 2023 halftime performance. Don’t let the white color fool you; this powder is truly invisible on the skin and works for every skin tone. Unlike other setting powders we’ve tested, this powder doesn’t add any coverage. It simply removes excess oils without disturbing the makeup underneath, which is why it’s Mignano’s favorite touch up and setting powder.
“It’s lightweight, controls oils, keeps your skin looking natural, and won’t look caked-on, no matter how many times you reapply it,” she says.
This is the kind of powder that almost like nothing whenever you apply it, but trust us, it’s working. The compact size is perfect to keep in your bag, and it even comes with a powder puff. According to makeup artists, you’ll get the best results if you pat the powder into your skin with the puff, not rub.
| Waterproof | No |
|---|---|
| Noncomedogenic | Yes |
| Mattifying | Yes |
Pros
- Hydrating formula prevents cakey-looking makeup
- Can use with any foundation or concealer
- Makes your makeup look dewy while prolonging its longevity, so you don’t have to choose between dewy and matte
Cons
- Can cause pilling if you don’t give it time to set
How you prep your skin can be the difference between makeup that melts off your face in a few hours or makeup that lasts 12+ hours, and it all starts with primer. This gel-like formula from Milk Makeup feels slightly tacky whenever you initially pump it out onto your hand, but that’s exactly why so many makeup artists love it. The Hydro Grip Primer hydrates using hyaluronic acid and hemp seed extract to plump your skin before makeup, while creating a sticky base for any makeup you layer on top. Compared to other primers we’ve tested we found that this one did a better job at bonding our makeup, ensuring it stays in place until you’re ready to take it off.
“The key to long-lasting, sweat-proof makeup is using many light layers of skincare and makeup products,” says Mignano. “Less is more!”
Think of this primer like glue: you only need a very thin layer and you don’t want to use too much, or it could get messy. Let the formula dry down and set for one minute before moving onto the next step in your base routine.
Read More: Best Makeup Primers for Every Skin Type
| Waterproof | No |
|---|---|
| Noncomedogenic | Yes |
| Mattifying | Yes |
