Summer is undeniably one of the most popular seasons for weddings. It’s that time of year when the weather is warm, the skies are painted a brilliant blue, and the days long into sunny evenings — the perfect recipe for outdoor celebrations. However, as we all know, this season’s sunny disposition sometimes leans towards the extreme. Whether it’s the sticky European heat, the sweltering temperatures of New York, the muggy embrace of Californian humidity, or even the relentless Australian sun, brides worldwide are confronted with the challenge of makeup that stands up to the scorching sun.
Enter our expert for today, Carla Dyson, the brilliant makeup artist and owner of The Creative Directory, a hair and makeup agency specializing in destination weddings. With her extensive experience ensuring that brides look their best under the harshest conditions, Carla is the perfect guide to help us navigate the world of sweat-proof bridal makeup products. In this article, we’ll uncover the top 11 products that will leave you looking flawless, no matter where or when you say ‘I do.’ Bid farewell to makeup mishaps and say hello to a radiant, worry-free wedding day.
MEET THE EXPERT
Carla Dyson has built up a reputation within the beauty industry for excellence and dedication to her craft.
As a renowned makeup artist with over a decade of accolades across many continents, Carla is celebrated for her wealth of knowledge, unique artistry, and attention to detail.
Carla has been honing her craft in Melbourne, the UK, and Europe for the last 14 years. Her natural ability and years of training have helped her build trust with each and every one of her clients. In addition, her calming nature, bubbly personality, work ethic, and desire to make people feel like their best selves, means she is able to connect with her clients and let them shine emotionally.
Her work has been published in ELLE Indonesia, Scratch magazine, Body + Soul, WHO, Together journal, Hello May, and Stellar magazine. In addition, Carla has participated in Melbourne Fashion Week and Australian Fashion Week.
Here are some of Carla’s favourite sweat-proof products to help your makeup stay put.
Skin
Bobbi Brown’s long-wear, weightless foundation has a natural soft matte finish with full coverage—all day, shine-free and flawless. The formula is packed with skin-loving ingredients and oil controllers and is highly pigmented for 16-hour coverage.
For a slightly lighter coverage foundation, Carla opts for Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Foundation. It’s a medium buildable coverage that lasts up to 24 hours. It has more of a weightless and breathable feel, just like a second skin. YSL’s new and improved formula of All Hours is now infused with hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin as you wear it, enhancing a luminous yet matte look.
A primer always helps to keep your foundation in place, and one of Carla’s favorites is Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15.
On a hot day, a primer is a must. They help to smooth the appearance of pores and control excess oil and shine throughout the day. It’s vital to prepping your skin before foundation to ensure it applies more smoothly. This silky, oil-free formulation is the perfect base for your summer looks.
Skin prep is one of the most essential steps in any makeup application. Carla always cleanses the skin first, but on a hot day, she loves to add in a quick peel to remove any excess oil. Her favorite is Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads – they’re quick and easy to use before makeup and individually packed, perfect for the makeup kit. These are jam-packed with AHA/BHAs plus antioxidants and vitamins to lift away dead skin and excess oil & impurities while improving uneven tone & texture. It takes just 2 minutes to smooth and perfect the skin. They help achieve immediate radiance, make pores look smaller, and make your skin look more even and balanced.
The iconic Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder sets makeup for up to 12 hours and blurs the look of fine lines and pores. It creates a matte finish with a touch of sheer coverage. It comes in various colours and even in a travel size – the perfect handbag size for touch-ups throughout the day! When it’s hot and humid, we tend to pile on the powder all over the face, but it’s best to apply strategically to the areas you know get shiny or where you tend to sweat the most. This way, you won’t lose the glow from the areas you want it!
Carla often gives her brides a couple of blotting papers on a hot wedding day (especially humid European weddings) as our summers in Melbourne tend to be drier heat.
There’s no point touching up your makeup if you’re hot and sweaty. Take a minute in the bathroom to cool off, and use these blotting papers (or a tissue if you’re desperate) to absorb excess oil (or sweat) without disturbing the makeup underneath. Ensure your face is completely dry before applying more foundation or powder. These are cruelty-free and biodegradable.
Eyes
The Stila Stay All Day Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliners are a must for any hot day! The proof is in the name! They’re waterproof yet creamy enough to allow plenty of blending time, and then they set in place for super long wear. There’s a range of neutral tones and vivid colors; some even have a stunning metallic shimmer. Carla’s favorite bridal color of all is Lionfish – a warm metallic brown. She loves to use this color on blue or green eyes to make them pop. These versatile liners can be used as a cream shadow in the waterline or to add depth to the lash line.
Carla believes the Kevyn Aucoin Volume Mascara is the queen of all tubing mascaras. She always applies individual lashes to her brides to enhance their eye shape and give their lashes a fuller look. This is a volumizing and lengthening mascara with a tubing formula that coats the lashes in a flake-proof, clump-free, and smudge-resistant all-day wear. It has a unique skinny wand for precise application (especially for the fine lower lashes), and it’s easily removed with warm water. This mascara is perfect for oily eyelids or watery eyes.
No more creasing or melting eyeshadow! This lightweight eye primer creates a seamless canvas that keeps your eye color looking brand new all day long. This Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base dries on contact and keeps the delicate eyelid area smooth and prepped for eyeshadow application. It extends the wear of eyeshadow and maximizes color intensity. Have you ever tried an eyeshadow palette and wondered what all the fuss was about? Thinking there’s no pigment? You must try it with this eye primer – game changer!
Pro tip: Keep your eyes closed as this product dries; otherwise, it will crease, and that crease won’t budge all day long!
Lips
Your lips also hold a significant role in your bridal beauty look. We understand that the last thing you want to deal with is smeared lipstick, which is why Carla suggests opting for liquid lipstick. This choice ensures long-lasting wear, allowing you to enjoy the night without constant touch-ups. Take a look at the new Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur by Charlotte Tilbury. This matte-meets-moisture liquid lipstick in a nude-pink shade is ideal for achieving hydrated, flawless-looking lips!
Carla frequently reaches for Charlotte Tilbury lip cheat pencils in the shades Iconic Nude or Pillow Talk. These iconic, really long-lasting products are universally flattering, helping to define and enhance your lips for a fuller, more pronounced pout.
