How To Make Your Eyeliner Survive The Summer Heat

Summer heat and humidity can turn even the sharpest cat-eye into a smudged mess by midday. If you want your eyeliner to stay crisp and vibrant no matter how high the temperature climbs, a strategic approach is essential. Here’s how to keep your liner looking flawless from sunrise to sunset.
Start With a Clean, Primed Canvas
Cleanse and prep your skin to remove excess oil and sweat, which can break down makeup faster in hot weather. Applying a face primer before your foundation or any eye makeup creates a smooth, even base, minimizes pores, and helps makeup adhere better, significantly increasing longevity even in heat and humidity. Some primers also help control oil and shine, which is crucial for keeping eyeliner in place during summer.
Use an Eye Primer
Eye primers are essential for locking in eye makeup. They smooth the eyelid, reduce oil buildup, and give your eyeliner something to grip onto, preventing it from sliding or fading as you sweat. For extra staying power, apply primer around the entire lash line (top and bottom), not just the lid.
Choose Waterproof and Sweat-Proof Eyeliners
Go for waterproof formulas, these contain polymers that create a flexible film, repelling water, oil, and humidity to lock pigment in place all day. Gel and liquid liners designed for long wear are especially effective in resisting smudging and fading through sweat and heat. For an even easier application and a flawless, symmetrical look, try our eyeliner stamp, which combines the convenience of a stamp with a waterproof, long-lasting formula that stands up to summer conditions
Set With Powder
After applying concealer or primer, set the area with a thin layer of translucent powder. This absorbs excess oil and prevents it from breaking down your eyeliner. You can also set your eyeliner with a matching powder eyeshadow to further lock it in place.
Finish With a Setting Spray
Lock in your look with a makeup setting spray. Setting sprays create an invisible barrier that resists smudging, creasing, and fading, even in the hottest, most humid conditions. Hold the bottle 8–10 inches from your face and mist in an “X” and “T” motion for even coverage. Setting sprays work by forming a thin, flexible film over your makeup, keeping everything in place and helping your eyeliner withstand sweat and environmental stressors.