Sunshine, sand, the gentle lapping of the waves or breeze in the park: there’s nothing quite like a summer day. And since being outside can make you feel so good, it’s only right that you should look good, too. Whether you prefer to bask in the sun or frolic in the water, with a bit of careful preparation you can make a summer makeup look that stands up to any day.
In this guide, we’ll teach you all you need to know about makeup for hot weather and give you a rundown of what kind of products to use while you’re soaking up the sunshine. Then, we’ll give you some inspo with some of our favourite summer and waterproof beach makeup looks.
Summer makeup looks: Key takeaways
- Everyday summer makeup looks should prioritise long-lasting wear, with products likeNYX's Bare With Me Blur Skin Tint and Matte Makeup Setting Spray . Matte products also help to combat shine and oiliness throughout the day.
- For beach makeup looks, opt for gel, liquid, and cream formulas over powders; they're easier to reapply without looking cakey, especially if you're going in and out of the water.
- Full, fluffy brows are a go-to summer look, easily achieved by building up NYX's Thick It Stick It! Brow Mascara for anything from a subtle tint to bold, luscious arches.
- A bold red lip is a summer essential for hot days when heavier makeup feels like too much, with NYX's Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick offering a timeless, low-maintenance finish.
- Fake a sun-kissed glow safely with NYX's Buttermelt Bronzer , applied to the high points of the face for a natural, bronzed finish without the sun damage.
- For beach-ready glam, shimmery lids using NYX's Ultimate Glow Shots and a dewy flush from Wonder Stick Cream Blush make for an easy, high-impact look that's built to last.
What is the best makeup for hot weather?
There are a few things to consider when choosing your summer makeup. The summer makeup look you’re after will play the biggest role in determining which products you need, but it’s also important to consider the formulas of the products you’re using. Here’s a quick look at some of our favourite makeup products to use in summer.
The best beach makeup
If you’re going to spend a day by the sea or pool, we recommend using gel, liquid, or cream products rather than powders. The reason for this is simple: Liquid and cream makeup can easily be reapplied without looking (or feeling) cakey. Easy touch-ups are particularly helpful if you plan on jumping in and out of the water (which you’ll likely need, even if you’re using waterproof makeup for swimming). Some of our favourite makeup for hot weather includes:
- Can't Stop Won't Stop Full Coverage Foundation: A liquid foundation perfect for on-the-go top-ups after a dip in the sea.
- Pro Fix Stick Correcting Concealer: A concealer stick perfect for touch-ups and any blemishes that might appear.
- Lip IV Hydrating Gloss Stain: A hydrating, lightweight lip gloss perfect for a fresh, glossy beach look.
The best everyday summer makeup
For everyday summer makeup looks, we’d argue that the best products are those that offer long-lasting wear. For foundation, our iconic Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundationis agreat bet again, with long-lasting wear and easy application that’s perfect for top-ups throughout the day. Some of our other favourites include:
- Bare With Me Blur Skin Tint Foundation: A soft summer makeup, matte foundation perfect for covering any extra glossiness that might appear on a super-hot day.
- Makeup Setting Spray - Matte: A lightweight setting spray that makes long-lasting products last even longer and helps keep summer skin oiliness at bay.
- Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick: A long-lasting liquid lipstick available in 31 shades so you can find your perfect summer match.
NYX’s top 3 summer makeup looks
However you’re spending your summer, you’ll need a look that matches the shimmering sun and all-round good vibes. Here’s our top 3 makeup ideas for summer for some hot weather inspo:
Full, Fluffy brows
Full, fluffy brows look great all year round, but especially in the summer!
For this summer makeup look, ditch the pencil for the day and instead fluff up your brows with Thick It Stick It! Brow Mascara. Our thickening, tinted brow mascara comes in eight buildable shades for an array of brow colours. Swipe through your brows with the spoolie comb once to add a bit of volume and colour to your brows, twice for medium thickness and tint, or three times for ultra-full, luscious-looking arches.
Bold Red lips
Red lips aren’t just timeless; they're a total lifesaver when it’s simply too hot to wear any other makeup (but you still want to rock a bit of glam). If you’re a matte lip lover, our classic Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick in the crimson hue On Fuego is all you need to complete your beach beat. Prefer a glossy finish? Opt for Shine Loud High Shine Lip Colour in Stay Stuntin’ for a punch of colour and shine.
Bronzed glow
With tans, you’ve got to fake it till you make it, and for the best way to fake a glowy tan, check out our Buttermelt Bronzer. A lightweight, pressed bronzer, it’s perfect for glowy summer makeup looks, melting into skin for a buttered-up bronze finish. Choose from one of eight rich soft summer makeup shades and apply to where the sun naturally hits your skin (specifically, your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and the top of your forehead). Then, blend it out with your fingers until you’re happy with your faux glow.
Beach makeup looks we can’t get enough of
Beach days are the best days during summer, so you’re going to need some makeup looks that reflect that. Here’s a few beach makeup looks we just can’t get enough of:
Shimmery lids
Sparkle like the sea by coating your lids with our Ultimate Glow Shots. These shimmery liquid eyeshadows deliver confident colour that wears for up to 12 hours, making them perfect for a beach makeup look.
With 13 playful shades to choose from, we’ve got you covered, no matter your beach makeup vibe. For a subtle glow, we love the silvery shade Come Thru Coconut or the golden tones of Highkey Lychee. For those who’d rather go bold, we recommend trying Blueberry Baller (a gorgeous, shimmery pale blue) or the unapologetically bright green Kiwi Killa.
Sun-kissed blush
A sun-kissed blush is distinctly beachy, but it’s not worth risking your skin to get one.
Instead of skipping the sunscreen (which is never a good idea), fake a subtle sun-kiss with a creamy blush, like our Wonder Stick Cream Blush. The dual-ended blush stick includes two creamy, blendable blush shades that are designed to pair together perfectly.
To achieve this low-effort, high-impact beach makeup look, swipe the lighter shade along the top of your cheekbones and across the bridge of your nose, then use the darker shade to define beneath your cheekbones (like you would with contour). Then, use your fingers to blend it out for a natural-looking rosy glow.
Another sun-kissed option for summer flushed cheeks is our Buttermelt Blush which is infused with mango, almond and shea butter for a high-pigmented wear of up to 12 hours!
Discover the best makeup for summer with NYX
Whether you're planning endless days on the beach or need something lightweight but still standout for the morning commute, we've got the summer makeup looks for you. Our lightweight makeup is perfect for the hottest days and easy touch-ups after a dip in the pool.
