Top 7 Tips for Wearing Foundation in Summer

We might dream of warm, sun-filled days, but the reality of wearing foundation in summer is products melting, sliding, creasing and smudging – the stuff of makeup nightmares.

So, it’s time to sweat-proof your summer makeup looks.

The best way to avoid makeup purgatory and achieve your summer foundation goals is to pair high-performing products with strategic application techniques that provide all-day staying power.

Below, we’ll teach you how to adjust your beauty routine to incorporate summer-proof makeup tips that will keep your products in place and leave your skin hydrated and glowing.

1. Look for weightless textures

In the hotter parts of the year, your makeup products’ formulas and textures determine the vitality and appearance of your skin.

So, whether you prefer to build your makeup in layers or achieve a natural look, using products with light or weightless textures in summer will help your skin breathe.

A liquid foundation like Touche Éclat Le Teint Liquid Foundation will provide 24-hour, breathable coverage to imbue the skin with a natural glow and a flawless finish that won’t cake or shift throughout the day. This unique formula is both hydrating and non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores – a blessing for your summer makeup looks.

2. Use long-wear foundation with hydrating ingredients

When it comes to long-lasting summer foundation, formula is key.

Smudge-proof pigmentation should be paired with hydrating skincare ingredients, so you get the long wear coverage you need without drawing all moisture from the skin surface (and leaving a cakey mask in its place).

Our All Hours Liquid Foundation strikes this delicate balance to perfection – delivering 24-hour full-coverage in a hyaluronic-infused formula with a weightless feel. This foundation is designed to mimic the feel of real skin, while providing the three essentials of long-lasting summer makeup looks – in that it’s sweat-proof, transfer-proof and waterproof.

3. Find your exact shade match

Wearing foundation in summer isn’t just about long-wear formulas – it’s also about nailing your perfect colour match. This cardinal makeup rule applies all year round, but it’s important to factor in the change in sun exposure when you’re adjusting your makeup for the seasons.

While your undertone remains the same all year long, your skin tone is likely going to be a shade or two darker in summer, and you’ll need to adjust it accordingly. For advice on how to find your summer foundation shade, use YSL’s virtual shade finder to find your exact hue.

4. Opt for concealer-only days

Occasionally, you might decide that it’s simply too hot or humid to be wearing foundation in summer. On the days where you simply can’t face a full face, you can spot-conceal any blemishes or imperfections where you want a little bit of coverage.

YSL’s All Hours Concealer has a creaseless, luminous matte finish; and is perfect for concealing dark circles, redness and blemishes while maintaining the look and feel of bare skin. We suggest applying concealer with clean fingers to control the amount of product while gently pressing it into the skin for seamless coverage.

5. Always apply primer before foundation

One of our most tried-and-tested makeup tips for summer is to always use a primer before applying your foundation.

Primer acts as the base for your makeup: it gives your foundation something to grip onto, blurs pores and fine lines, and improves the longevity of your finished look.

After your moisturiser and SPF have settled into the skin, apply one pump of the Touche Èclat Blur Primer Gold over your face. This primer is enriched with hydrating apricot kernel oil, leaving a slight luminous golden shimmer on the complexion.

6. Pare back the rest of your summer makeup look

If there’s one seasonal makeup trend that never fails us in summer, it’s minimalism.

We know that makeup transfers more easily in summer because of increased sweat and oil-flow, and this creates a lot of ‘problem’ areas outside of the typical t-zone: including the upper lip, the under-eye and the eyelids. In these parts of your face, makeup can often run, smudge, feather or simply feel heavy on the skin in hot weather.

So, our summer makeup tip is to ditch the heavy glam, embrace a smaller handful of key products, and build your own minimalist makeup routine. For this, we love a tinted butter balm like the YSL Loveshine Candy Glow for sheer colour and maximum hydration during the day. Or, if you’re stepping out for the night, swap Glow for Glaze and try the YSL Loveshine Candy Glaze, which has a lightweight-yet-glossy texture and eye-catching shine.

Waterproof mascara is another summer makeup must-have, so simply coat your lashes with Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Waterproof for intense volume and all-day hold.

7. Finish with a setting spray

On particularly hot days, setting makeup ensures that your products stay in place.

While a powder can absorb sweat and oil, it can also dry cakey on the skin in summer – especially when re-applied. Instead, opt for a setting spray, which acts as a veil to set looks and prevent transfer and fading on those hot, sunny days.

Wearing foundation in summer – with a light mist of setting spray over the top – locks in your products while letting your skin breathe comfortably. Top Secrets Setting Spray is a 2-in-1 hydrating and setting mist that utilises hyaluronic acid and glycerin – two powerful, skin-loving ingredients – to leave summer skin plump and glowing.