15 Anti-Humidity Beauty Buys That’ll Have You Feeling Arctic Fresh This Swamp Season

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Last weekend I was heading for an innocent lunch with friends, the humidity was 700 percent, and I received no less than three separate messages: “my makeup is literally sweating off,” “I need deodorant for the back of my thighs,” “send help.”

Humidity and your makeup look. Historically, they’re two things that don’t mix.

The last three summers have been serving big swamp energy and, as a beauty journalist, I’ve committed to finding makeup and skincare products that work during Sydney’s worst, muggiest days.

And, while it is too late to save my friends, it’s not too late to save you, dear reader.

In a fit of altruism, I’ve rounded up the makeup products I’ve been using to beat the heat and leave my face feeling fresh AF this summer. You will have to find a separate solution for the back of your thighs, but I’ve found a solution for everything else.

Best Anti-Humidity Products: Skincare

Current Body, Cryo Roller

File under non-essential, but a cryo roller will make you feel better and, when facing 70 percent humidity, sometimes a moral boost is what you need. I keep my cryo rollers in the fridge (not the freezer) and concentrate my rolling under my eye area. This has two benefits, the most well-known is it acts as a vasoconstrictor, depuffing your under eyes and making it look as though you weren’t tossing, turning, and sweating up a storm all night.

The second, lesser-known benefit is that by cooling down your eyes, you can cool down your whole body – submersion of just the facial area in cold water can drop your body temperature by 10 percent according to the Journal of Applied Physiology. Science is a beautiful thing, so try the CurrentBody, Skin Cryo Roller ($53) and feel the chill.

Tbh, Rebound Serum

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Skip your 11-step skincare routine and skip to one serum and sunscreen. The tbh, Rebound Serum ($68) provides deep hydration while absorbing instantly, leaving no residue. It’s my go-to for sticky days.

La Roche Posay, Anthelios, Ultra Cream

Don’t be fooled by a cloudy day, hot weather usually coincides with high UV, so skipping sunscreen, however tempting, is not an option. The most important step is opting for something that works with your skin. La Roche Posay, Anthelios, Ultra Cream SPF50+ ($36) is a great, non-greasy option that layers well with makeup. It’s specially formulated for sensitive eyes, so if you’re breaking a sweat, you won’t have to add watery eyes and running mascara to your laundry list of warm weather problems. If you are especially oily try La Roche Posay, Invisible Fluid SPF50+, ($30) for a true featherweight finish.

Best Anti-Humidity Makeup:

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

When we interviewed bridal MUA Alex Perrin, she named Hourglass Mineral Veil Mineral Primer SPF15 ($84) as her top pick because it’s waterproof and transfer resistant.

A little bit of this primer goes a very long way, so you won’t feel that you’re adding another layer of product to your already sweaty face. Just pump out a pea-sized amount and weatherproof your base.

e.l.f Power Grip Primer

Need something more hydrating? Gel-based and infused with hyaluronic acid, e.l.f, Power Grip Primer ($40) is hydrating enough to skip moisturiser and creates a smooth, grippy base that smoothes fine lines and pores. You can skip your moisturiser and bulletproof your base with this one.

Maybelline, Superstay Active Wear 30H Liquid Foundation

The complexion product to reach for in apocalyptic scenarios, Maybelline, Superstay Active Wear 30H Liquid Foundation ($25) lives up to its admittedly long name. Water-resistant, transfer-resistant, and sweat-resistant properties make short work of a long lunch on a hot day. We don’t recommend wearing it for 30 hours, but it’s always good to know you could if you had to.

Charlotte Tilbury, Airbrush Flawless Foundation

For a matte, full-coverage finish that doesn’t budge, Charlotte Tilbury, Airbrush Flawless Finish Foundation ($65) is your best bet. The intensely pigmented formula provides weightless coverage quickly and you don’t have to build and layer the product, which makes it a #win in our books.

Rimmel, The Multi-Tasker Concealer

When the heat is on, one tried and true option is skipping foundation altogether and spot concealing with a long wear, full-coverage concealer. Why? Fewer products on your face mean less potential for a humidity-induced makeup mess. Rimmel, The Multi-Tasker Concealer ($11) is a product that puts other “full coverage” concealers to shame. Multi-Tasker will nix a distressing blemish and keep it under wraps on the hottest, sweatiest days or under the most stressful, tearful conditions.

Smashbox X Becca, Under Eye Brightening Corrector

Last year, Smashbox resurrected some of our favourite products from the tragically discontinued beauty brand Becca. One celebrated icon that’s back on shelves? Becca, Under Eye Brightening Corrector ($50).

Using an under-eye brightener judiciously will allow you to cut down on concealer – again, it is a philosophy of making your beauty products work smarter so you can use less of them. Take a quarter grain of rice size of this product and apply it to the inner corners of your eye for a lift.

Innisfree, Matte Mineral Setting Powder

For summer powders, it’s best to go light and super absorbent. Innisfree, Matte Mineral Setting Powder ($12) is a cult K-Beauty favourite. Controlling oil with Jeju mineral extracts and corn starch, the formula also contains Green Tea and Tocopherol are thrown in for antioxidant benefits, while unique polymers create a smooth texture and a seamless, velvety finish. The best part? A hint of mint gives this powder an “arctic fresh” cooling feel.

Nudestix, Blot & Blur Matte Stick

If you have super dry skin and struggle to find a powder that smoothes without leaving your complexion feeling and looking like sandpaper, consider making a switch. With a balm-to-powder formula, Nudestix, Blot & Blur Matte Stick ($48) gives you Barbie-smooth skin, minus the dryness. Silica and Jeju Island Volcanic Ash absorb sweat and oil throughout the day, while anti-inflammatory mugwort and heartleaf extracts reduce irritation. Because Blot & Blur doubles as a primer, you can layer it without your makeup looking choppy. A great day-to-night beauty buy.

Charlotte Tilbury, Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray

Never drying, the Charlotte Tilbury, Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray ($49) has film-form technology that locks makeup in place rather than drying off your base with alcohol. Airbrush Flawless doubles up as a face mist, dousing your complexion in aloe vera, Japanese Green Tea, and “aromatic resin”, a pore-clearing bark extract from the Greek Islands. Our tip is applying pre-powder for a bullet-proof base.

Maybelline Lash Sensational, Full Fan Effect Waterproof Mascara

Dripping wet? Go waterproof. Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Waterproof Mascara ($15) is budge-proof and versatile. The curved brush scoops up every lash, for length and volume. Want to achieve a siren eye? Sweep outwards. After an innocent, doe-eyed look? Soft, never crunchy, this waterproof formula lasts as long as you need it to, whether you’re crying, sweating, or swimming (or going for a summer trifecta). Just make sure you double-cleanse, as this formula has longevity.

Byredo, Tears in the Rain Waterproof Mascara

If you want a 30-hour mascara to go with your 30-hour foundation, try Byredo, Tears in the Rain Waterproof Mascara ($72). Perfect for those who want an editorial (ie. super-natural) eye look. The minuscule brush applies a fine layer of product to every single lash, allowing you to get close to the lash line for definition that won’t ruin your no-makeup-makeup look. For those who care, the formula is made up of 89% natural ingredients, most importantly, it won’t flake, smudge or transfer, no matter how hot and sweaty things get.

Makeup Forever Aqua Resist Smoky Shadow and Sephora Collection, 12+ Intensity + Comfort Care Liquid Eyeshadow

If your mascara isn’t transferring, don’t tempt fate with a complicated eye look. Waterproof eyeshadow sticks are dual-purpose, they can be used as liner or shadow and the Makeup Forever, Aqua Resist Smokey Shadow ($37) come in 14 shades that will help you create any eye look. Want some shimmer? The Sephora Collection, 12H Intensity + Comfort Care Liquid Eyeshadow ($22) will create an editorial “wet look” eye, that will compliment your, by now, shine-free complexion perfectly.