3 Make-Up Artists Share Their Summer Beauty Hacks
Sarah Sequeira
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – that’s my golden rule for summer beauty. Everything from your skincare to your foundation should support hydration, because make-up won’t sit well if your skin is parched. I rely on a gripping primer and a serum-based foundation – Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip and MAC Studio Radiance are my go-tos for a fresh, long-lasting finish.
When it’s humid, I set each layer of my base with a setting spray. I always stick to lighter textures – layering too many products just won’t hold in the heat. This won’t come as a surprise – the Saie Glowy Super Gel in Sun Glow is my go-to. A light layer all over before foundation, then a touch mixed in, gives the most stunning sun-kissed glow.
I love SPFs that feel like a lightweight moisturiser. They have a water-like consistency and don’t leave a white cast. Right now, I’m loving Elemis Pro Collagen Skin Protection Fluid and Supergoop Every. Single. Face. – both are SPF 50 and melt seamlessly under make-up.
Blush is a must in my summer kit – especially a rich, red-toned one that mimics the look of a day in the sun. My favourites right now include Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Beauty Blush in ‘Dream Pop’, Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in ‘Grateful’, and Dior Backstage Rosy Glow in ‘Cherry’. To stay cool and refreshed, I keep a hydrating mist on hand and spritz every couple of hours. The Charlotte Tilbury Magic Hydrator Mist and Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mist are both great for giving the skin a quick boost.
One beauty mistake I often see is skipping SPF reapplication – or assuming you don’t need it indoors. SPF sticks are great for bare skin – I love the Beauty of Joseon Matte Sun Stick SPF 50. If you’re wearing make-up, a sunscreen spray is best. Ultra Violette’s Preen Screen Mist is amazing both under and over make-up – and La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Mist is a true OG.
Follow @SARAHSSEQUIERA
Nina Ubhi
Prep is everything. You can’t just slap on your usual products and expect them to last in the heat. I rely on the right type of products, but more importantly, the right technique. One of my staples is Milk Pore Eclipse Primer – it grips make-up and controls shine without feeling dry. I also love the Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Blurring Primer. Both help create that smooth, long-wear base. Pore-minimising primers, buffing foundation in properly and pressing powder into the skin – not just dusting it on – make all the difference. If you want your make-up to stay, your base routine has to work with the heat, not against it.
In humidity, I use the sandwich method: primer, then a light layer of powder, followed by foundation and finally pressing powder into the skin with a puff. For the setting layer, I always use the Laura Mercier Ultra Blur Setting Powder – it creates that soft, invisible finish that locks everything in. It creates this invisible mesh that holds everything in place. For glow, I use Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter in a slightly warmer shade than usual – I always get compliments on my glow and people usually think I’ve just been on holiday. I’m also loving the new Dior Backstage blush sticks. They melt into the skin and give that lit-from-within colour.
As for SPF, d’Alba Waterfull formula is a staple. It feels like skincare but protects like a proper sunscreen and doesn’t interfere with make-up. I also rate the Supergoop SPF – it doubles as a primer and sits well under everything. And I’m obsessed with the new Dior Addict Lip Butters. They give soft, sheer colour, feel really nourishing and are perfect for quick on-the-go touch-ups without a mirror.
A trick I swear by is keeping a powder puff in my bag with a bit of powder already on it. When it gets hot and your make-up starts to slip, I mist my face with a hydrating spray and gently press the puff into my skin. It mattifies and refreshes at the same time, without ever looking cakey.
One mistake I see all the time is layering too many dewy or creamy products without setting anything. It’s the fastest way to melt make-up. You just need to set strategically – you can still keep your glow, but anchor everything with the right powders in the right places. Also, patience is key. It takes approximately 30 minutes after application for your natural oils to come through and give your base a more lived-in, less matte appearance. Give it time to settle.
Follow @NINAUBHI
Natasha Ahmed
My golden rule would be to always have a pressed powder with you – because inevitably, you’re going to get a little bit sweaty and a little bit dewy in the humidity and heat. I always keep either the mini version of the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder in my bag, or if you prefer a clean option, I love the Kosas Cloud Set Powder. Touching up with powder throughout the day keeps your make-up looking fresh, especially if you’ve used cream blush or bronzer underneath.
For base, I always start with a good primer. Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip is a clean formula that really helps everything grip to the skin and last. If I want something more blurring and smoothing – especially for visible pores – I use Huda Beauty’s Easy Blur Primer.
Humidity can be a challenge, but there are a few things that work. If you can get your hands on it, the One Size On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray is amazing. It’s not available in the UAE, but if you can order it through a service like Shop & Ship, it’s worth it – it makes everything waterproof, sweatproof,everything-proof. If that’s not an option, Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Setting Spray is a great alternative. I also keep blotting papers or powder on hand for quick touch-ups. And it’s important to layer your base in thin, even layers – applying too much will just cause it to slide.
For glow, I’m obsessed with the Drunk Elephant B-Goldi Bright Drops. Everyone loves the D-Bronzi Drops, but I personally prefer the B-Goldi – they give a beautiful luminous base that makes you look like you’re glowing from within. For bronzer, I love the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Stick in Chocolate Caramel. It melts into the skin perfectly, isn’t too creamy or too matte, and smells like a Terry’s Chocolate Orange. For my body, I use Sol de Janeiro’s GlowMotions Oil in the bronzy shade – it gives the perfect post-beach shimmer and warmth.
For SPF under make-up, I always reach for Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50. It’s not the glowy one that everyone talks about, but the version that doubles as both an SPF and a primer. It’s great for oily or combination skin and helps control shine.
One product that lives in my summer make-up kit is the L’Occitane Almond Shimmering Body Oil. Since we tend to have more skin on show in the summer, this is what I use to gloss up the arms, legs and chest. It’s super hydrating, adds a subtle shimmer and smells incredible.
To stay refreshed on the go, I always keep a mini face mist in my bag. I love the Kosas Plump + Juicy Spray-On Serum – the travel size is perfect. I also like the Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray. It contains hypochlorous acid, so it’s not just refreshing but also helps keep the skin calm, clean and balanced.
One mistake I see people make is carrying their full winter make-up routine into summer. In cooler months, you can get away with layering lots of creamy products. But in the summer heat, those same products start to move around – especially on combination skin. It’s always better to adjust your routine to the season. Another mistake is piling on too much coverage. Instead of doing a full foundation every day, just use concealer to spot correct. It feels lighter, looks better and allows your skin to breathe.
Follow @MAKEUPBYNATASHA
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at [email protected].
/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.me%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe-me%2Ffiles%2Fwebsite-images%2F2023%2F07%2Fsl-middle-east_0.jpg?itok=mM7sU9m0)
