Words by Maya Avram
Summer beauty typically conjures up an image of a bronzed complexion, glossy lips and beach-wave curls – all the makings of a winning look. But keeping fresh in the heat, after dipping in the ocean, lounging by the pool or exploring the great outdoors is a sticky challenge even for the most skilled make-up mavens. Enter waterproof make-up. The holy grail of warm weather glam, these products are formulated with silicones, waxes and polymers that make them resistant to water, sweat and humidity, keeping your make-up intact for longer.
The key to a waterproof make-up look is careful skin prep and, at the end of the day, thoroughly cleansing your skin. Our advice? Double cleansing with a balm or an oil-based cleanser, ideal for breaking down debris and preventing blocked pores and hair follicles or potential damage to your skin barrier.
The key to waterproof make-up lies in skin prep. First, because a balanced skincare routine creates a healthy buffer between your skin and the somewhat harsh ingredients found in it, and second, because this type of make-up is designed to cling to your skin, and so will only ever look as smooth as your complexion.
Cleanser: Our team loves 111SKIN’s Deep Cleansing Oil, which is infused with ceramides, prebiotics and the brand's signature NAC Y2 ingredient complex, formulated to balance and calm signs irritation. Another favourite is Orveda’s Cleansing Skinmulsion Cleanser, which boasts 16 actives at a concentration of 23% to relieve redness and replenish skin with moisture.
Serum: When it comes to targeted hydration, Medik8’s C-Tetra Advanced Serum packs 20% vitamin C that brightens and evens out the skin, while The Elixir by Augustinus Bader speeds up the absorption of skin-loving actives that leave the skin nourished and rejuvenated.
Moisturiser: Opt for featherlight formulations that are rich in hyaluronic acid – a humectant that attracts and retains moisture, turning your skin into the perfect canvas. Valmont’s 24 Hour Light Cream promises long-term hydration in its moniker, while Emma Lewisham’s Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Face Crème is formulated with actives like saccharide isomerate, a naturally derived carbohydrate that gives skin a natural ability to hold onto moisture for longer, as well as niacinamide to brighten the skin.
SPF: “From a formulation point of view, making a sunscreen water-resistant – while keeping it lightweight and pleasant to use – is a delicate balance,” says Dr Florence Nadal, scientific communication director at Lancaster, citing texture and feel as two key considerations. The brand’s Sun Beauty Mineral Cream “offers better water resistance thanks to its oil-based structure, which adheres more strongly to wet skin… we still recommend reapplying [it] every two hours,” he adds.
And now to the good part: how to waterproof your make-up? For an effortless look that will withstand water, sweat and nature, go for lightweight, buildable formulas that are designed for extended wear. A primer will be your best friend, as will be a translucent powder and setting spray.
Primer: An easy-to-blend, featherlight primer we’re currently loving is the Pore Refining Mattifying Veil from Clé de Peau Beauté, available exclusively at Harrods. Its unique formula is designed to absorb excess oils, meaning anything you layer on top of it will last that much longer. Another fabulous option is the Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer by Armani, which is enriched with shea butter and glycerine, delivering some serious glow.
Foundation: No waterproof make-up list will be complete without Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation. The cult-favourite base is one of the most louded products out there thanks to its buildable coverage that is both sweat- and humidity-resistant, meaning its flawless finish remains intact for up to 24 hours.
Concealer: A long-lasting concealer is one of the most important tools in your waterproof beauty arsenal. Two of our favourites are MAC's Studio Radiance 24HR Luminous Lift Concealer, formulated with 31 skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, and Guerlain's Terracotta Concealer that offers mid to full coverage for up to 24 hours.
Mascara: Very few mascaras come with the credentials of YSL Beauté's Lash Clash Extreme Volume Waterproof Mascara. In addition to its exceptional sculpting and volumising abilities, its water- and humidity-proof formula leaves you looking sultry for a long time. Pro-tip: for a particularly voluminous look, apply to the base of the lashes in a subtle side-to-side motion, layering as you please.
Eyeshadow and Eye Liner: Other staples for creating sultry and waterproof looks include the EyeWear Longwear Eyeshadow Stick from Victoria Beckham Beauty, a highly pigmented wand that delivers drama for up to eight hours, or Bobbi Brown's Dual-Ended Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick, which offers a play on dimension and texture with a double-ended design. Finish it off with Hourglass' Voyeur Waterproof Liquid Liner, whose 1.2mm felt tip will power the sharpest wings imaginable.
Lips: While a glossy lip is the obvious summertime choice, you can still achieve a long-lasting look in other finishes. Vieve’s Poutder Lip Mousse boasts a creamy formula that effortlessly melts onto your lips, featuring a natural-looking stain and a nourishing complex of vitamin E, hyaluronic filling spheres and castor seed oil that will keep your lips feeling soft and smooth.
By now, you know that every part of your body needs protection from the sun, including your hair. “UV rays can cause colour to fade as well as brittleness and breakage,” says Rahua Co-Founder, Anna Ayers. The brand’s Hydration Detangler + UV Barrier treatment targets all those concerns with the help of Morete Oil, which is “rich in vitamins A, C and E, reducing frizz caused by humidity and deeply hydrating hair.”
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So you’ve done your skincare, applied SPF, and created a killer look. Now what? To protect your complexion and keep your make-up looking fresh, “keep a protective mist on hand,” says Ninni Nummela, makeup artist at Chanel. She recommends the new N°1 DE CHANEL Serum-in-Mist, which is “infused with radiance-boosting camellia flower water, for maintaining hydration on the go. Mist it on top of your make-up to protect and perfect your summer glow.”
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According to Dr Roselin Rosario-Meléndez, waterproof products resist full water exposure, while water-resistant ones only offer partial resistance. Think of it as a durability spectrum, where water-resistant formulas can withstand some sweat and humidity, and waterproof make-up can survive pretty much anything, from heavy rain to full-on swimming.
Dr Florence Nadal makes a distinction between waterproof and water-resistant SPF. “’Waterproof’” is no longer allowed on sunscreens in Europe or the U.S., as it’s considered misleading. But ‘water-resistant’ sunscreens are essential, especially for beach days, swimming, or outdoor sports.”
“In Europe, water-resistant [products] retain at least 50% of their SPF after immersion in water,” he says, stating that water-in-oil emulsions – like those used in our Sun Beauty Mineral Cream – naturally offer better water resistance thanks to their oil-based structure, which adheres more strongly to wet skin… Generally, you can consider watery formulas like mists, sprays, milks, or gels do not promote water resistance.” Still, Dr Nadal emphasises the importance of reapplying your SPF every two hours or so.
