Your Guide to Smudge-Proof Summer Wedding Makeup

The tips and products you need for an everything-proof wedding look.

July 02, 2021

By: Jessica Butler

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Photo By: inarik

Wedding Makeup That Won't Budge

Whether you’re the bride, a bridesmaid, or a guest, wedding makeup is a big deal. When the special event takes place in the summer months, sweat, heat, and humidity all have an impact on your look and the products you choose to wear. Luckily, we’ve rounded up some of the best waterproof, sweat-resistant, and transfer-resistant makeup products on the market. Plus, we’ve included a step-by-step guide to applying and perfecting your look for the big day. Here’s how you can get made up for the summer nuptials!

Moisturizer: Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb

Moisturizer is such an important step if you want your wedding makeup to go on smoothly. Hydrate your face and under eyes well and think of them like a blank, prepped canvas for your look. If your skin looks good and fresh, your makeup will look even better. Belif’s The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb is a great pick for a lightweight, yet super moisturizing product. It offers 26 hours of intense moisture and great benefits for your skin.

BUY IT: Ulta, $38.00

Lip Mask: Milani Rose Butter Lip Mask

Let this thick balm sink into your lips while you do the rest of your makeup. By the time you get to your lips, they’ll be nice and moisturized for your lipstick.

BUY IT: Ulta, $9.99

Sunscreen: Bondi Sands Fragrance-Free Sunscreen Daily Face Lotion SPF 50+

After your moisturizer has had time to sink in, grab your favorite sunscreen. With summer weather comes summer sun and you’ll want to protect your skin during the wedding! This lotion plays well with makeup and won’t leave you with a white cast (which is usually emphasized by flash photography).

BUY IT: Walgreens, $9.99

Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Eye Primer

To avoid eyeshadow fallout on your face, it’s important to do your eyes before you do the rest of your face. You’ll want to start your eye look with a water-resistant and longwearing eyeshadow primer like this one. Anastasia’s primer is a light cream base that smooths out your lid, enhances vibrancy, and increases color payoff of your favorite eyeshadows. Plus, it’s in a squeeze tube, so you’ll never apply too much.

BUY IT: Ulta, $13.00

Eyeshadow: Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam II Mini Palette

Eyeshadow looks are quite personal. Luckily, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam II palette has warm and cool-toned shades to cover all the bases. For a simple, yet elegant look, apply Tempera all over your lid (up to your brow bone). Then, swipe Incense above your crease (the socket of your eye) for a neutral transition shade. Next, mix Mulberry and Dusty rose and apply that to your crease in a windshield wiper motion. For more definition, add a tiny bit of Noir to the outer corner and the lash line. Finally, apply Dreamer or Sultry (with your finger for more color payoff) to the inner half of your lid, your inner corner, and your brow bone.

BUY IT: Ulta, $29.00

Eyeliner: NYX Epic Ink Vegan Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

If dramatic liner is part of your look, opt for a pigmented, waterproof formula. NYX’s Epic Ink eyeliner will help you achieve the perfect style, and it’s vegan and cruelty-free. It’s available in black and brown and it has a slender, flexible brush for precise application. For a thin, defined look, apply the liner horizontally so it slightly grazes over your lash line. Create a thicker line towards the outer corner of your eye and keep it thin towards the inner corner, then choose to wing it out or keep the liner simple. For a dramatic wing, follow your lower lashline upward and create a small triangle that connects to your outer eyelid. Then, fill in the triangle and extend the line to the middle of your eyelid or your inner corner.

BUY IT: Ulta, $9.00

Lashes: L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara

Waterproof mascara is a must! This one from L’Oreal will thicken and lengthen your lashes for the big day and hold a curl with its waterproof formula. For some extra oomph, glue on some individual lashes, like the Ardell Duralash Naturals Individual Lashes. Concentrate the individual lashes on the outer corner of your eye for a more defined look.

BUY IT: Ulta, $10.99

Face primer: Milk Makeup Mini Hydro Grip Primer

Now that your eyes are done and your skincare has settled into your skin, it’s time for your base. Face primers are very personal to your skin type, but this one is particularly great at gripping makeup and keeping your look in place.

BUY IT: Milk Makeup, $16.00

Translucent powder: RCMA No Color Powder

Adding a light layer of powder to your skin before you apply your base products will mattify and prolong your foundation’s wear, especially if you have oily skin. This translucent powder gets the job done and a little goes a long way. If your skin is on the drier side, you can probably skip this step and head right to our next product.

BUY IT: Amazon, $19.99

First Spritz of Setting Spray: Ben Nye Final Seal

Setting spray is usually saved for the last step of your makeup routine, but here’s how you can use it to extend the wear of your makeup. Spray some onto your foundation brush or sponge and quickly go in with your foundation. This will combine the long-lasting properties of your setting spray with your foundation. Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is another amazing spray you can use to increase the longevity of your makeup — and it can definitely stand the summer heat.

BUY IT: Amazon, $25.12

Liquid Foundation: Teint Idôle Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation

Next, take your freshly sprayed makeup brush or sponge and apply a longwear foundation. Lancome’s Teint Idole Ultra is available in 50 shades with tons of different undertones to match your skin. It’s also transfer-resistant, oil-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic — making it a perfect wedding pick. The L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation is another great (and budget-friendly!) option for your big day. It’s available in 40 shades, it’s transfer-resistant, sweat-resistant, and remains breathable because of its light formula. If liquid foundation isn’t your thing, check out the following powder foundation options!

BUY IT: Ulta, $47.00

Foundation Powder: L’Oreal Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation In a Powder

This powder foundation has been making waves on social media for its full coverage and staying power, which sounds perfect for a summer wedding. L’Oreal’s powder provides a 24-hour matte finish and it’s transfer-resistant, waterproof, heatproof, and sweatproof. Another option is the Fenty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Powder Foundation. It offers a blurred finish and it’s sweat-resistant, humidity-resistant, and crease-resistant. So, grab your favorite foundation brush and apply your powder in a downward motion to your face for the perfect base. If you’re using concealer as well, do that before this powder foundation step.

BUY IT: Ulta, $14.99

Concealer: L’Oreal Infallible Full Wear Waterproof Concealer

Concealer will take care of those areas where you need extra coverage. This concealer is full coverage, waterproof, transfer-resistant, and fade-resistant. A little goes a long way with this product and it’s available in 25 shades! Use the doe-foot applicator or take a small pencil brush and apply the concealer to any blemishes or discoloration. Leave it on the desired area for 30 seconds before blending so it can melt into your skin. Use the same technique on your under eyes with a fluffy, dome brush or the same sponge you used for your foundation. To cover up dark circles, tilt your head downward in front of a mirror so you can directly target the darkest area of the under eye.

BUY IT: Ulta, $13.49

Setting powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

Time to lock in that foundation and concealer! Laura Mercier’s loose powder is top-rated pick that absorbs oil, blurs, and offers a 16-hour soft matte finish. Take a fluffy brush and pick up some powder on the side of your brush. Then, apply the powder to your face using a rolling motion, rather than swirling or buffing. If you’re using a sponge, gather the powder and press it gently into your skin. Leave excess powder in the places you crease the most (smile lines, under eyes, around the nose, etc.) and gently wipe it away after a minute. These powdering methods won’t disturb your foundation and concealer.

BUY IT: Ulta, $39.00

Brows: Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil Waterproof Eyebrow Definer Mini

Brows can truly transform the way you look and take your makeup to the next level. It’s best to do your eyebrows after your foundation and powder so there won’t be any excess product in your hairs. Benefit’s Precisely, My Brow Pencil is waterproof (so you know it won’t budge) and very fine for a precise application. Draw tiny, hair-like strokes and focus most of the color at the tails of your brows, rather than the heads. This will create a subtle, gradient effect.

BUY IT: Ulta, $15.00

Blush, Contour, & Highlighter: Uoma Beauty High Life Highlighting & Contour Face Palette

Now that you have your summer-ready base all set, it’s time to add some color and dimension back to your face. Uoma Beauty’s face palette can do it all! Use the contour shade to sculpt out your nose, cheek bones, and jaw by using natural shadows as your guide. Then, take the pink blush shade and apply it above your cheekbone contour, bringing it in towards the highest point of your cheeks. Dab a little bit on the tip of your nose as well. Finally, add either highlight shade the your cheekbones, tip of the nose, chin, and your cupid’s bow above your top lip.

BUY IT: Nordstrom, $39.00

Lipstick: SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick

Wipe off that lip mask from before with a clean tissue and get your lipstick ready. Your lips should be soft and prepped for a longwear formula, like this one from Maybelline. It’s matte (which means it won’t smear, even during mealtime), lightweight, and long-lasting — the perfect pick for a summer wedding. This liquid lip is also available in 40 shades, so no matter what kind of eye look you went for, there’s a lip color to match. Simply outline your lips with the pointed edge of the applicator and fill in the center with color. To avoid getting lipstick on your teeth, wrap a fresh tissue around your index finger and pop it into your mouth to collect excess product from the inner part of your lips.

BUY IT: Ulta, $9.49

Blotting Sheets: NYX Blotting Papers

Go in with your setting spray one last time and lock everything into place. You should be set for the big day, but if any oils or sweat creep through, make sure you have blotting sheets on hand. These papers from NYX are great for absorbing oil and keeping your complexion clear, even in the heat. With this makeup routine, you’re sure to have a worry-free wedding day!

BUY IT: Ulta, $4.00

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