The Key to Sweat Proofing Your Makeup

Sweat proof makeup can be a necessity when living in a hot and humid climate, getting caught in the rain, or most of all, attending a special event that could include sweating or tears. Sweat is liquid made up of 99% water and little bit of salt, while tears are a very similar make up.

When your body gets overheated or your cortisol rises, you sweat more, so it can cool down. When you are upset, your body secretes tears to help flush out the emotional buildup. So, what does it take to create a smudge proof and sweat proof look when there is so much going on in our body and environment? It is all about how you begin.

The Prep

Unfortunately, this is where the quality of the skin can be super important, as there is no replacement for a healthy glowing canvas. It makes logical sense that skin prepping before makeup is important. Having the skin prepped properly helps your makeup products sit and stay on the skin.

You always need to start with a clean canvas, which means no prior residual makeup products can be left on the skin. Properly cleansing your skin and following with a good skin care routine is an absolute must.

Starting with Skin Care

No matter the time of day you’re creating a makeup look, cleansing is the first important step. Skin is impacted by exposure to excess sweat, dust and bacteria, which can imbalance moisture content and brightness across complexions. Products like foundation, concealer, blush and bronzer are developed to work best with clean, fresh and hydrated skin.

Regular exfoliation lends to having healthy skin, so plan on exfoliating twice a week, including your lips, to keep dead skin from building up and help makeup adhere better.

The moisturizer used at the end of a skin care regimen will influence how makeup products will sit on the skin and how they reflect light. Applying a well-balanced, hydrating moisturizer for your specific skin type will help makeup adhere and remain fresh, dewy and bright. However, oily skin types should opt for a lightweight gel or oil controlling moisturizer to minimize any excess oil production and minimize pores that could create shine through the day.

Pro Tip: Make sure the moisturizer has enough time to absorb into the skin before applying any makeup.

When using skin care prior to makeup, it is important to avoid products that won’t dry out the skin. Your skin will want to find water somewhere, and most often, it will absorb any water in the makeup you apply. Thereby, makeup will not stay all day. You also want to avoid any products that can leave the skin too greasy. Too much oil laying on the skin can break down any water-based products that are applied to the skin, which will make products move and not stay put.

Related: The Best Skin Prep Methods for Makeup Application

Priming

The next step is priming and that can be interpreted in many ways depending on preferences and skin types. Primers are supposed to help other makeup products like foundation and concealer glide and lock into place. A lot of primers are silicone-based. There are some positives and negatives to silicone.

Silicone does create a blurring effect, which can help minimize the appearance of pores, irregular texture or fine lines. The downside is that some primers may overdo it with the amount of silicone in the formula, and it can create too much of a barrier between the skin and makeup. Some makeup artists prefer to use moisturizer as the primer to marry the makeup to the skin.

I find that primers are great three-dimensional fillers to prevent foundation going into larger pores or creases. I also love color-correcting primers that can neutralize redness and can prevent an overly heavy foundation application. A setting spray can be a great alternative to a silicone primer. You can spray the face before foundation application, and then also use the spray at the end of the makeup application.

Sealants

A long-wear sealant is the most effective way to transform non-waterproof products into waterproof ones. You can add a drop of a sealant to eyeshadow and make it a waterproof gel liner with more intense pigment payoff. You can also add a sealant to a foundation to give the existing formula you may have on hand for more waterproofing abilities.

Foundation

To ensure your foundation doesn’t smudge or melt away in the rain, it is better to opt for a matte finish. Matte finishes have a fair amount of pigment in the formula and tends to provide additional coverage while resisting water, giving the makeup longevity.

Blush and Bronzer

In order to keep the intensity of the color from fading away, it is best to layer liquid and powder formulas.

Powder

Translucent setting powders have a nice finishing and mattifying effect on the skin, as well as gripping properties, which is a great addition for a sweatproof makeup look. I like to apply a thin layer on the face then leave it on a for a few minutes, then gently brush off with a larger brush, which is a baking technique.

Eye Makeup

Eye makeup is specifically vulnerable to sweat

and tears, but choosing waterproof formulas will help eye products prevent smudging or running. Layering your eyeliner with eyeshadow is a great way to set it in place and give it extra staying powder.

Brow gels and creams that are applied with a brush resist humidity and sweat because they have more pigment and less wax. Proper mascara layering prevents volume or length loss in your lashes, and it keeps mascara tear proof while protecting your lashes from drying formulas (See 3-Step Sweat Proof Mascara Routine Sidebar).

3-Step Sweat Proof Mascara Routine

1. Apply a lash primer to the lashes.
2. Apply your usual mascara.
3. Layer a waterproof mascara over top.

Lips

Matte lip color gives long-lasting color and keeps lip color looking vibrant and not faded. I prefer stay-proof liquid lipsticks that are formulated with water-resistant properties, which provides smudge-proof and transfer-proof benefits while not drying the lips out.

Setting Spray

Finishing the makeup routine is the final step to seal the makeup, as it creates a barrier from the outside world. I like to refer to this step as your protective makeup shield. Simply spritz over the face at the very end of completing the makeup look to prevent makeup from melting off the face.

Pro Tip: Buy a small travel size spray bottle to pour some of the setting spray to have on hand to refresh and reinvigorate makeup and hydrate the skin throughout the event.

Touch-Ups

It is always wise to carry touch-up essentials such as a compact powder with a makeup brush, travel-size mascara, lip color and concealer. This way you can effortlessly touch up a smudge caused by water, sweat or humidity. Remember, makeup strategy is key! Evaluate your surroundings and be prepared for anything.

Jaclyn Peresetsky is an esthetician and owner of Skin Perfect Wellness Spa. She is known as the go-to expert in the greater Columbus, Ohio, area for microcurrent treatments, custom blend makeup, eyebrow design, color theory and custom skin care. She is also the author of "The Power of Your Colors", and she is working on her second book,The Journey to Perfect Skin. She also has a patent-pending color identification system created to better identify unique color characteristics for choosing makeup.