Our British occupation of complaining about the weather hasn’t subsided now that summer is upon us. The downside of soaring temperatures - particularly if you live in a city - is that the sweltering heat can result in make-up meltdown. But not if you follow these five tips. 

Wear less makeup

It sounds obvious but in summer we need less of everything. As our skin gets more glowy, less foundation is required particularly when humidity is high. If you feel naked without base, consider a stick formulation like ILIA Beauty’s Skin Rewind Complexion Stick, £48 which is a concealer and foundation in one and comes in a tonne of shades. Apply sparingly to problem areas like the sides of the nose and chin and buff into pores well with a brush or beauty blender. 

Or try Jones Road Beauty’s Face Pencil, £24. Some find this too drying for under eyes but I like it in the summer, especially as it gives a soft matte finish and you don’t need a lot of it. Plus you can pop it in your back pocket for touch ups without fear of leakage. 

If you prefer to go with the dewiness rather than work against it then a sheer BB cream or tinted moisturiser is a good option. Chantecaille’s newly reformulated Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15, £60 is sheer but velvety on skin giving a soft semi-matte finish that isn’t in the slightest bit greasy. It is pricey but a little goes a long way.

 Clinique Lash Power Mascara, £25; Ilia’s Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon £26

Prime sparingly 

A good facial SPF will work as a skin primer and moisturiser in one (the last thing you want to do when it’s hot is layer on too much skincare). The new ones won’t clog pores or leave a greasy film. Some to consider are Mecca Cosmetica’s Broad Spectrum UVA & UVB Defence Skin-Perfecting Sunscreen, £35 which has a hint of tint. Tatcha’s The Silk Weightless Mineral Sunscreen SPF50, £65 is exceptionally light and decadent on skin but may be too rosy-toned for some skin tones, though it dissipates quickly into skin. 

There are quite a few great clear SPF gels out this summer that won’t leave a white cast and offer high protection. Allies of Skin The One Invisible Sunscreen SPF50, £43 is packed with antioxidants and skin conditioners and is water resistant. Two others worth trying are Murad’s Multi-Vitamin Clear Coat Cream SPF 50, £33.60 or Glossier’s Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen SPF50. £32. 

Rhode Pocket Blush in Bright Coral, £24; Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15, £60

Mattify lips, flush cheeks 

There’s something undeniably chic about matte lipstick against a backdrop of dewy skin. Not only does it look incredibly put together, the opposing textures give off the element of surprise. Ilia’s Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon £26,  is perfect for summer. A chunky lip crayon that’s designed to line and fill in lips with a choice of eight flattering shades. Pampas, a soft peach, is universally flattering but for something punchier, Classic Red is a warm brick hue that looks as pretty on blondes as it does on brunettes and redheads alike. Whereas Violette FR’s Bisou Balm, £29 is equally nice at providing a soft comfortable matte finish that stays put but doesn’t feel tattooed on like some mattes do. 

Hourglass’s Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray, £48; Sculpted by Aimee’s Easy Glide in Rich Brown, £19

All five shades are as wearable as each other but Betise, a warm berry stain is TDF. For blush, either double up your lip product on lips or invest in a bright blush stick for the apples and bridge of the nose which require zero skill and can be reapplied throughout the day as required. Rhode Pocket Blush in Bright Coral, £24 looks good on everyone. 

Waterproof your eye makeup 

Possibly the most annoying side effect of hot weather is when your mascara drops. If you’re off on holiday a long-lasting solution is to have lashes tinted before you go eliminating the need to apply mascara – or, most importantly, take it off.

In lieu of lash tinting, tubular mascaras are less drying than traditional waterproof formulations and come off easily in warm water at the end of the day without need for eye makeup remover. Clinique Lash Power Mascara, £25 is an oldie but goodie – the skinny brush gives a deceivingly powerful definition that lasts all day without dropping, plus it comes in a rare dark chocolate shade that works on tanned skin (most brown mascaras are too warm). Or try Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara, which comes in a handy travel size for £16.

If you’re steady handed, swap your usual eye pencil for a liquid eyeliner like Sculpted by Aimee’s Easy Glide in Rich Brown, £19 which will give a soft cat’s eye look that stays put. For evening try layering with something glimmery like Fenty’s Glitty Lid Shimmer Liquid Eyeliner £19 in Boozy Bronze or Chanel’s 3-in-1 Eyeshadow Liner £34 that are smudge-proof. 

Violette FR’s Bisou Balm, £29; Allies of Skin The One Invisible Sunscreen SPF50, £43

Set with a setting spray 

If you’ve water-proofed your makeup you may not need a thing more, but it can help to fix everything in place with a setting spray. For those who like to powder their T-zone By Terry’s Hyaluronic Pressed Hydra-Powder, £42  infuses skin with moisture while setting oily areas seamlessly, so you won’t end up with a cakey finish. Or try a setting spray like Hourglass’s Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray, £48 or Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Setting Spray, £20 both of which last up to 24 hours, should you be going straight out after work.

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