Summer makeup tips? I’ve got plenty! And every single one has survived Dubai’s heat. If your makeup routine can hold up in 40+°C with desert sun overhead and zero shade in sight, it’ll hold up anywhere.
After 7+ years of working as a civil engineer in Dubai, I’ve done my fair share of site visits—regardless of the weather. And being the bridal makeup artist I am, I couldn’t resist testing different looks that could stand up to the brutal heat and surprise sandstorms during those long days on-site.
These aren’t fluff tips pulled from Pinterest. These are real, pro-tested, sweat-proof strategies built for high-stress, high-temp days. So if you’re tired of your makeup sliding off by lunch, I promise—this guide has your back (and your brows).
In this post, you’ll learn the best summer makeup tips that actually work in real heat. Plus the exact products and pro techniques I use to keep skin looking fresh, breathable, and flawless… even in the middle of a Dubai summer.
Best Summer Makeup Tips
1. Summer Makeup Products You Actually Need
Let’s Marie Kondo that makeup bag, shall we? The best summer makeup tips I can give you are to keep your makeup products minimal and light. Swap cakey and heavy makeup for breathable formulas, SPF bases, and melt-into-skin textures. Because summer makeup should feel like skincare with a glow-up, not a mask.
So instead of piling on layers, think about smart swaps that still do the job. Here are easy swaps you can look into:
- Primer 🔄 Invisible Sunscreens: Preps, protects, and blurs without the weight of silicone.
- Full coverage foundation 🔄 Skin tints or light-to-medium coverage base: Keeps your face breathable and less prone to creasing.
- Powder 🔄 Cream blushes, contour, and bronzer: Cream and liquid-y textures melt into skin and stay natural in heat.
- Waterproof eyebrow pens: No smudges, no melting arches, no problem.
- Ordinary mascara 🔄 Waterproof mascara: Sweat, tears, or humidity—it stays put all day.
- Lip tints under lip gloss: Long-lasting color with a juicy, light-catching finish.
Each of these swaps is designed to work with summer. That’s because your makeup, especially this season, should feel like skincare with a glow-up. And while powders can work in small doses, they often cling and crack in the heat. So instead, reach for creamy, skin-loving textures that melt in.
2. Your Go-To Summer Makeup Step-by-Step Routine
Summer makeup is a balancing act. You want your skin to glow. Not look greasy. But dryness isn’t the vibe either. And just like every season has its rhythm, your skincare routine sets the tone before makeup even begins.
Let’s break down what that looks like, whether your skin’s on the oilier side or craving hydration.
Summer Makeup Step-by-Step Routine for Oily Skin
- Start with a gentle but effective cleanser like the COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser. It removes excess oil without stripping your skin completely—perfect for hot, sticky days.
- You can skip toner and moisturizer if your skin leans oily or combo. Go straight to a broad-spectrum sunscreen and let it sink in for 10 minutes. (Trust me. This pause makes all the difference in how smooth your base applies.)
- Next, apply a breathable skin tint like Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint. It evens you out without feeling heavy or sticky, even in high humidity.
- If you want your eyeshadow to last longer, here’s a quick hack: tap NARS Soft Matte Concealer on your lids as a base. Then, blot the excess with a dry sponge before applying shadow and waterproof mascara.
- Choose a cream or liquid blush like Rare Beauty Soft Pinch.
- For lips, layer a tint under a hydrating balm to keep things soft and natural.
- Finally, set everything with a hydrating setting spray. It locks in your look without making your face feel stiff or dry.
Your goal here is a lightweight, long-lasting, and shine-controlled makeup look.
Summer Makeup Step-by-Step Routine for Dry Skin
- Start with a hydrating, non-stripping cleanser to prep your base gently. Something like CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is perfect. You want your skin clean, not tight.
- Next, layer a lightweight moisturizer under your sunscreen. Dry skin still needs that hydration cushion—even in summer. And again, let everything absorb for 5–10 minutes before makeup.
- Reach for a radiant-finish skin tint like Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40. It gives coverage, glow, and sun protection in one easy step. Plus, it doesn’t cling to dry patches or emphasize texture.
- If you’re wearing eyeshadow, tap on a creamy base like Too Faced Born This Way Concealer. Just be sure to blend it out well to avoid creasing. Then, apply your shadow and follow it with waterproof mascara for hold.
- Cream blush is your best friend in summer—try Tower 28 BeachPlease Blush. It adds color and hydration without sitting on top of your skin. For extra radiance, dab on a liquid highlighter like Saie Glowy Super Gel.
- Finish your look with a tinted lip balm or lip oil. Go for something juicy, nourishing, and fuss-free. Then set your makeup with a dewy mist like Caudalie Beauty Elixir for that fresh, lived-in finish.
You want that juicy, lit-from-within glow in summer, especially if you have dry skin. But even hydration has its limits. Over-moisturizing can actually mess with how your makeup sits. So go slow and intentional: let each layer absorb for at least five minutes before moving on.
3. Summer Eye Makeup Looks That Stay Put
Let’s talk eyes—aka the first place your makeup betrays you. Humidity and sweat break down eye looks fast, especially if you skip primer or use powdery formulas. In summer, cream shadows and gel liners are your besties. They’re easy to blend, super pigmented, and they stay where you put them. And if you’re a mascara smudger? Waterproof only.
Stick to warm, sun-kissed tones like bronze, copper, and soft peach—they naturally pair well with dewy skin and summer light. For extra staying power, layer your cream shadow with a powder in the same tone. And remember: set your brows, too! A good brow gel is like hairspray for your arches.
Pro pick: Maybelline Color Tattoo in “High Roller” – a soft champagne bronze that doesn’t budge.
4. The Only Summer Makeup Palette You’ll Ever Need
You don’t need five palettes this summer. You just need one good one that does it all. Choose a palette with blush, bronzer, highlighter, and neutral shadows in creamy or hybrid textures. Bonus points if it works with your fingers—because we love a minimalist moment. The best ones give your skin life without needing a ton of tools.
Stick to universally flattering summer hues: peach, coral, golden brown, and rose gold. These shades pop beautifully in natural light and don’t require precision to look good. If you’re traveling, a single palette like this saves space and keeps you photo-ready.
Pro pick: Nudestix Nudies Bloom in “Sweet Peach Peony” – swipe, blend, glow. Done.
5. How to Achieve a Natural Summer Makeup Look
When the heat turns up, the full-beat doesn’t have to come off—but it can lighten up. The goal isn’t to ditch glam, it’s to reimagine it with breathable textures and fewer steps. Start with a skin tint instead of full-coverage foundation, then add a cream blush and brow gel. If you want to skip powder, go for it—embrace the glow!
Natural summer makeup isn’t about hiding; it’s about enhancing. Let your freckles peek through. Gloss up your lips instead of layering on matte lipstick. It’s fresh, effortless, and perfect for beach days, errand runs, and iced latte meetings.
Pro pick: Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint – sheer, feather-light, and summer-skin approved.
6. Sweat-Proof Makeup (Even for the Gym)
Okay, I’m not saying you need to wear makeup to the gym—but if you’re doing an event, dancing, or just living in 40°C heat, you need products that won’t abandon ship. The trick? Longwear cream textures, less powder, and a bomb setting spray. Powder only your oily zones—overdoing it will make your base separate.
Always carry blotting sheets (tissue works in a pinch), and skip heavy touchups. Your skin will thank you later. When I do bridal touch-ups mid-reception, I never add more foundation—I blot, mist, and maybe tap in a bit of cream blush. The result is lived-in, not layered.
Pro pick: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray – it’s bridal makeup’s secret weapon.
7. Summer Makeup Hacks Every Pro Swears By
Let’s talk hacks. My favorite? Powder before foundation. It creates a soft matte grip that keeps oil at bay. Another trick: stash your skincare and tools in the fridge. A chilled jade roller or sponge feels like heaven on summer skin. And if you love that glazed donut highlight? Tap on cream highlighter before foundation for a natural lit-from-within glow.
Frozen sponges, matte setting sprays, and oil-controlling primers make a huge difference in longevity. And for oily skin babes—don’t fight the glow, shape it. Blot strategically, don’t strip your skin.
Pro pick: Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Powder – blot, touch up, and glow without the grease.
8. Best Makeup for Surviving the Summer Heat
Here’s what to look for: lightweight, longwear, and non-comedogenic formulas. These products play nice with sweat and heat, and won’t clog your pores. Avoid shimmer on high-sweat areas (forehead, nose, upper lip)—a glowy finish can easily turn into a greasy mess if not balanced.
Focus on stain or tint formulas that sink into the skin and look better with wear. I also love products that multitask—lip/cheek combos save space and blend beautifully. When in doubt, go for less product, more intention.
Pro pick: Benefit Benetint – it survives kisses, coffee, and cardio. Enough said.
Your Summer Beat, But Better
You don’t need more makeup—you just need smarter makeup. The heat might be relentless, but your look doesn’t have to suffer for it. With a few swaps and smart techniques, your face can stay fresh, breathable, and beautiful all summer long.
Ready to try it yourself? Grab my free Pro MUA Starter Kit Checklist and peek into my personal kit. You can also try one technique this week, tag me @beauteapolitan!
