If only sundrenched summer weddings came with the promise of a supernatural gift: the ability to press pause on your sweat reflex. Thankfully, as temperatures rise, there are insider-approved secrets to keeping your makeup from slipping. “Bridal makeup needs to last for an entire day, and if hot weather is involved (hello, summer wedding season!) makeup can easily slide right off,” notes makeup artist Elizabeth Windust, who’s worked with supermodels like Gigi Hadid and Devon Aoki to find the perfect camera-ready balance of glow-meets-grip.
When I asked Windust to share her easiest tips for the low-key bride hoping to execute a DIY version of her anti-melt technique, she generously offered a top-to-bottom regimen that requires little more than a couple of practice runs in your personal vanity mirror to master. “My method to create a 12+ hour sweat-and-tear-proof makeup look is to use products in every single step that enhance staying power,” she says. Below, her pro steps, from start to finish:
HEAD-TO-TOE INSURANCE: SweatWELLth No Sweat Spray
“I love to spray this on the face (and even under the arms) to help minimize sweating prior to skin prep, especially if the wedding location is somewhere super humid where maximum perspiration is hard to dodge! This bacteria-fighting formula hydrates and soothes.”
STRATEGICALLY MOISTURIZE: Kiehl’s Glow Formula Skin Hydrator + Banila Co It Radiant CC Cream SPF30
“Skin prep for budge-proof foundation is KEY. I love this product by Kiehl’s because it moisturizes but also provides antioxidant protection to help fight free radicals, which is crucial if your big day is out in the sunshine on a hot summer day. Mix this with a sheer SPF like Banila Co’s Radiant CC Cream, which adds its own allover glow and blurs imperfections for a gorgeous soft-focus finish.”
PRIME TIME: Bodyography’s Foundation Primer
“Bridal makeup needs to last all day long—from the first look to the afterparty. Primer is an absolute MUST, and I like to use as the last step before applying foundation. Bodyography’s formula is great because it smooths out the skin’s surface and gives the foundation something to grab onto without slipping off!”
COVERTLY CONCEAL: Clove and Hallow Conceal+Correct
“Clove and Hallow’s vegan, PETA-certified concealer is ultra light and buildable for varied levels of coverage that won’t settle into fine lines. Apply concealer as minimally as possible while still covering darkness under the eyes—add a dot right on the side of the bridge of the nose by the inner corner of the eye, a small swipe under the eye near the inner corner, and one last swipe near the outer corner, always avoiding the crow’s feet! Then blend, blend, blend with a damp Beauty Blender.”
LAY A BEAUTIFUL FOUNDATION: Cle De Peau Foundation
“Cle de Peau is a holy grail brand, particularly when it comes to complexion products. This foundation is gorgeous (albeit pricey, but totally worth it). I apply this using a duo-fiber foundation brush to softly buff it into the skin, focusing on the places that need the most coverage, like the center of the face or anywhere with hyperpigmentation. The finish is silky and luminous, NOT ultra-matte or too dewy. It really wins at delivering luminous radiance while having the staying power they need for their wedding day.”
NATURALLY FLUSH: Charlotte Tilbury Pretty Glowing Kit
“Cream blushes and highlighters add the perfect lit-from-within glow, but can often add unwanted shine—Charlotte Tilbury’s cream-to-powder blush and highlighter duos provide just the right camera-friendly balance. With the included brush, gently blend color in upward strokes on the apples of the cheeks. For the highlight, I love using my fingers for a more natural finish that won’t blind your wedding guests. BONUS: This formula doesn’t catch on foundation and make it appear patchy, so no need to apply any powder products beforehand!”
SUNKISSED SCULPTING: MAKE Bronzing Bricks
“I prefer to use a bronzer as a super-light, forgiving facial sculptor to warm up the skin rather than a heavy contour for a bridal look that won’t feel dated. I love this brick from MAKE because it has zero shimmer, so it looks like a believable sunkissed glow. Use a large fluffy brush to buff the bronzer onto areas where the sun would naturally hit: a little bit on the forehead in the hairline, just a touch over the bridge of the nose, then contour slightly in the hollows of the cheeks. Another fun trick is to bring it into the eye socket as a transitional shade using a fluffy tool like Lilah B’s Crease Eye Brush. It brings the look together and warms up the eyes in a really subtle way.”
FEATHERED ARCHES: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color
“Stila is a longtime favorite brand, and this brow pen is an absolute kit staple. It’s the perfect product to achieve that full, feathery arch that we all covet. Super-pigmented liquid is dispensed from its fine tip brush (a la liquid eyeliner), and won’t budge or smudge. I apply gentle upward strokes through the brows only where there are gaps, and the result is a very natural yet defined, face-framing look.”
CREASEPROOF DEFINITION: Eyeko Me + My Shadow Waterproof Shadow Liners
“I use these shadow sticks on every single bride because they’re so easy to use and DO. NOT. CREASE. Apply straight from the bullet using a lighter shimmery shade (like Topaz or Quartz) all over the lid, then blend with your finger to feather the edges. The darker shades can be applied as liner and defined or softened with the flat brush attached to the opposite end. I love using this as a base for powder shadows too, which helps minimize fading and intensifies pigment. Win win!”
DOE-EYED GAZE: ARROW Eye Brightener
“This is a magic little pencil. Apply to the inner corner of the eye and then lightly on the brow bone, blending out with your fingertip in a tapping motion. It opens the eyes and makes the brow bone pop in the most subtle, fresh way without adding any sparkle or iridescence.”
LEAKPROOF LASHES: Buxom Lash Waterproof Mascara
“Waterproof mascara is a must on your wedding day for obvious reasons, especially for the lower lashes that can melt pigment onto the rest of your look if you aren’t careful. Try applying Buxom’s formula using a small fan brush to carry the product all the way into the root of the lash to prevent any gaps in color.”
SEALED WITH A KISS: Erdem for NARS Lip Powder Palette
“I am obsessed with this Erdem for Nars lip palette. It comes with a balm that you apply to the lips first with a lip brush, then take one of the powder shades and pat it on with your fingertips. The result is the most gorgeous stained lip with a soft, diffused edge. Not only is it a super pretty and romantic look, but it has incredible staying power and is easy to touch up throughout the night. Plus, the packaging is a bridal dream.”
POWER POWDER: Kjaer Weis Translucent Pressed Powder
“Kjaer Weis makes the most high quality (not to mention clean and environmentally friendly) products, and this finely milled powder is no exception. Formulated with rice powder, it’s virtually undetectable and doesn’t settle into pores and fine lines. Apply in the center of the face and under the eyes using a small powder brush like Hourglass’s dual-sided Veil Brush for really precise placement. This helps to set the undereye concealer and prevent unwanted shine.”
THE FINAL TOUCH: Arbonne Makeup Let It Set Refreshing Finishing Spray
“The last step in locking everything in. I love this Arbonne mist because it reinforces free radical protection (just like our first step) and helps to moisturize the complexion, so you don’t get a one-dimensional matte look that’s too unnatural. Spray a few pumps (I usually go for five) about 12 inches away from your face, making sure to hit it from every angle. You can even carry it in your clutch to refresh as the hours (rather than your makeup) melt away!”
