The Steps

1. Wash your face with a cleanser you use regularly
2. Rise your face with cold water
   • This will tighten your pores so they don’t release as much oil throughout the day
3. Apply a light moisturizer and wait for 10 minutes to let it sink in
4. Apply a primer
5. Use a high-quality foundation (and do the rest of your look)
6. Finish with a setting spray or translucent setting powder
   • Translucent setting powder should also be applied throughout the day. A setting spray will lock things into place.

Pick waterproof products

These are actually very effective! Especially use waterproof mascara, eyeliner, and lash glue. These will also ensure your wedding makeup doesn’t run if there are tears instead of sweat on your face!

For your hair, stay inside as long as possible

Waterproof makeup will hold, but no hair product will stand up to humidity. Your best option is to wait it out inside until you’re ready to head down the aisle.

Bring a fan

A handheld battery-operated fan will be your saving grace, not only with your makeup, but with keeping you cool overall. Overheating quickly leads to exhaustion, the last thing you need early on your wedding day. Something as small and simple as a fan can go a long way.

Stay hydrated

Make sure to drink a lot of water in the weeks leading up to your wedding day, so that you’re looking fresh with a beautiful glow on the big day. Be sure to continue drinking water throughout your wedding day so you don’t get dehydrated!

Thin out your foundation with moisturizer

Mix some of your moisturizer into a cream foundation. This will help the foundation go on evenly as well as prevent your skin from producing too much oil throughout the day.

Add airbrush foundation on top

Ask your makeup artist to add a few layers of airbrush foundation on top of a cream base. This creates an extra-flawless “no makeup” look and keeps everything in place—the key is using super-fine layers of each to avoid looking cakey.

Use a facial antiperspirant

If you’re especially prone to sweat and getting married somewhere especially warm or humid, Face Saver is a great potential product. Top it with a moisturizer so your skin doesn’t produce extra oil to try to hydrate itself. It’s also important to test this product out a couple weeks ahead of time so that you can see how friendly it is to your skin.

Pick the right primer

Make sure to test your primer ahead of time and try a couple options if necessary.

Consider mineral makeup

If you don’t have dry skin, mineral powder makeup is the way to go. There is much less sliding, and it holds up well in the heat.

Opt for airbrush

If mineral makeup isn’t an option for you, opt for the airbrush method, which is lighter, longer lasting, and less cakey than traditional makeup (that can melt right off your face in heat and humidity).

Buy blotting sheets

Oil blotting sheets are great for touch-ups on sweat throughout the day.

Try not to touch your face

This is the biggest reason makeup doesn’t last, no matter the season. Every time you touch your face, you’re wiping some of your makeup off.

Cry pretty

Use a tissue to tap or dab away tears to keep your summer wedding makeup intact through the tears. Never wipe!