5 Ways To Sweat-Proof Your Make-Up For Festival Season This Summer

Elle

3 days ago

With summer in full swing, mastering the art of sweat-proof make-up is a significant task. Whether you're heading to Glastonbury or prepping for an upcoming day festival, there's nothing that kills the carefree concert vibe like streaming mascara, greasy-looking skin and that dreaded smudged lip. Luckily, expert make-up artists have been cultivating tips that can withstand bright lights, hectic film sets and 24-hour itineraries for decades, and now we're passing that insight onto you.
'Most of the time make-up breakdown occurs due to the skin producing oil or moisture and lifting the makeup off the skin,' says Dominic Skinner, director of makeup artistry at Mac Cosmetics. 'What you might notice is dots where your pores are that look dark. This is your makeup getting darker because it becomes wet. You might also find areas like foreheads and cheeks might run or drip. But remember everyone sweats - it's how our bodies regulate the temperature, so it doesn't overheat.'
Here, Dominic Skinner, director of makeup artistry at Mac Cosmetics, and make-up artist Andrew Gallimore share their top tips for sweat-proofing your make-up, just in time for festival season 2025.
It's no secret that skin prep is key when it comes to creating a smooth canvas for make-up. However, when it comes to making said base last, it's best to step away from skin-glossing creams and thick serums.
'If you're using any long-wearing or waterproof products, it is essential to start with a super clean face,' says Gallimore. 'Any natural oils or sweat will stop these products from setting or working properly. The same applies to most moisturisers, eye creams, or lip balms. Use these well in advance to prep the skin, and then clean the surface with something like Bioderma Micellar Water Cleanser or a gentle toner.' Just don't forget to follow with a lightweight SPF, no matter the weather.
In the humid summer months Skinner advises trying lighter, oil free moisturisers or multi-functioning serums like Mac's Hyper Real Serumizer. 'If you over moisturise or feed your skin with oil, this can make the skin too rich.'
While powder foundations aren't particularly sexy, they do serve a purpose when it comes to keeping your skin looking matte. What's more, opting for a compact makes re-application effortless, and it prevents any dreaded spills along the way.
'Powder foundation can be a great swap for conventional liquid foundations,' says Skinner. 'Powders contain oil absorbing ingredients which means you'll stay looking matte for longer while letting the skin do what it needs to do. Plus, you can re-apply powder throughout the day with real ease.'
The best part is that modern powder foundation formulas are far from the chunky textures of the past. In fact, many are specifically designed to lend a blurred finish and natural coverage to blemish-prone and mature skin types.
Yes, you read that one right. While applying setting spray after your make-up is done is an age-old step to future-proof your look, there are also numerous benefits to adding a spritz before you start.
'One tip I share, which I got from working with West End performers, is to use a setting spray before apply make-up,' says Skinner. 'This acts like a barrier and prevents make-up from lifting. The alcohol-free Fix+ Stay Over from Mac is the one I recommend to all dancers I work with.'
If it's good enough for on-stage, we can believe it will pack a similar punch in the audience in front. Travelling to a far-flung festival abroad? Look for a travel-friendly option that won't need to face the liquids bin at the airport.
To keep your travel bag light as air, try trading out messy powders for a sleek set of blotting sheets. Not only are they designed to remove excess oil from the skin and minimise shine, they also weigh next to nothing, which means you can slot them into a compartment as small as a card holder and keep them on you for the whole itinerary.
The best part is that they're super user-friendly. Just press a sheet gently onto the area of concern (usually the forehead, nose, or chin), and avoid rubbing to prevent any smudging or caking.
If you can't bare the thought of stepping out without a signature lip, try trading your go-to shade for a longwear lip stain - the perks are endless. Your have unlimited options when it comes to formulas and shades (even lip liners can be switched out for a pen-like alternative), they feel utterly weightless on the skin without compromising on a luminous, flattering colour, and they truly hold their own when it comes to drinking, swiping and, of course, singing.
If your lips are especially dry, these ultra-thin tints will usually remain un-smudged when topped with a balm or high-shine gloss. We'd also recommend pairing with an SPF lip balm, to prevent chapping and burning. It's just a must.
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Katie Withington (she/her) is the Beauty Writer, at ELLE UK and Harper's Bazaar. Working alongside the ELLE UK Beauty Team, she covers all things beauty for both print and digital, from finding backstage make-up trends at London Fashion Week and investigating buzzy skincare ingredients, to unzipping the beauty bags of Hailey Bieber and Margot Robbie. Prior to joining ELLE UK in 2022, Katie studied (BA) Fashion Journalism at London College of Fashion and has previously contributed to Red, Good Housekeeping and Prima.