Summer brings longer days, sun-filled activities, and warmer temperatures, but it also brings the challenge of keeping makeup looking fresh and shine-free. High humidity and heat can make your makeup prone to melting and excessive shine, especially for those with oily skin types. However, with the right techniques and products, you can enjoy a flawless, matte complexion all summer long.
Here, we run you through our top tips to keeping your makeup shine-free this summer.
Tips for shine-free makeup
Start with a clean canvas
Before applying makeup, ensure your face is clean and oil-free. Use a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type.
For those with oily skin, consider cleansers with salicylic acid or glycolic acid for deeper cleansing.
We recommend:
$26.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Use an oil-free moisturiser
Hydration is key, even for oily skin. Opt for an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturiser that hydrates without adding extra shine.
We recommend:
QV Face Oil Free Moisturiser
$17.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Apply a primer
A good primer can work wonders in creating a smooth, matte base for your makeup. Look for a primer specifically designed for oil control.
We recommend:
The KIND Collective Blur Perfection Primer with Blue Light Protection
$19 at Priceline
Choose oil-free longwear makeup
When selecting foundation and concealer, go for oil-free and long-wearing formulas. These products are designed to resist sweat and oil, keeping your face looking matte for longer.
We recommend:
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
$105 at Adore Beauty
Use blotting papers
Blotting papers are a great way to touch up during the day without adding layers of product. Gently press them against the skin to absorb excess oil. Make sure to use them sparingly, however, to avoid your face from drying out!
Set with a translucent powder
A light dusting of translucent powder sets your makeup and reduces shine. Focus on the T-zone, where oiliness is more common.
We recommend:
$11 at Pretty Little Thing
Consider setting spray
Setting sprays can extend the wear of your makeup. Look for sprays with mattifying properties.
We recommend:
Nude by Nature Natural Setting Spray
$19.95 at Look Fantastic
Avoid cream-based product
In summer, switch from cream-based blushes and eyeshadows to powder forms, which are less likely to become oily.
Regular touch-ups
Sometimes, no matter how much you prep, shine is natural to occur. For these moments, carry a compact powder for quick touch-ups throughout the day.
Main image credit: @traceeellisross
How do you avoid greasy makeup on hot days?
Great tips, I do use matte powder and avoid oil based products.
All good tips!
Yes indeed.
Gosh, I’m more inclined to go make up free as much as I can in summer
Yes me too Rinny -a bit of lippy and mascara and that is enough
Thats me too but sometimes I feel a bit lazy?
I wear less make up on the hot days.
Me too JuJu47.
I setting spray is probably good for days you do have to dress up and the blotting paper
Setting spray is a must!
That sounds good for the days you have to make a good effort.
I would like to give the QV oil-free moisturizer a try.
QV is a really good product.
Great tips but it’s still very difficult to remain shine free when the humidity is constantly at 100%.
Definitely Primer plus I use a 24 hour Foundation.
The Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation leaves such a natural finish on the skin. Great but pricey choice.
I tend not to use foundation much .
Great tips for the summer heat. I use a tinted moisturizer in summer as its easier.
If I am going make up free I oftem spritz with toner as it feels so nice and cooling.
The QV Face Oil Free Moisturiser sounds quite nice and very reasonably prices.
DON”T forget sunscreen !! So important !!
I have to remember to buy an oil-free mosturiser.
I keep everything light and natural looking.
Makeup melts off my face in summer, so I give it a rest
Yes and it feels better than a greasy face too.
LOVE my Estee Lauder Double Wear for shine-free days 🙂 So good
Those are good tips!
I often only wear makeup in summer at work, too hot and humid otherwise where I live to wear it.
Through summer I wear Neat Feat Face Saver (facial antiperspirant) & Invisible Zinc tinted – the bare minimum. I wear waterproof eyeliner & mascara year-round.
Good tips. I need more translucent powder.
So hard when its hot and you have 15 things on your face lol
sweat is the biggest risk to my makeup in summer.
I occasionally use a primer, usually when wearing make-up
I do all of these & still shine!
Its so hard not to sweat off anything on my face
I just carry a compact powder for quick touch-ups throughout the day.