Summer beauty: How to achieve a fresh, natural makeup look that lasts in the heat

Professional makeup artist Kelly-Jean shares practical tips on lightweight products, skin preparation and creating a natural makeup look that holds up in the summer heat.

By Mapaballo Borotho

Beating your face in the summer heat can be challenging, particularly for individuals who are less experienced with makeup and may use too many products in the hope of making their look last longer.

Summer makeup is about working with your natural features, choosing lighter products and keeping your routine practical.

We sat down with professional makeup artist Kelly-Jean, who has more than a decade of experience in the beauty industry, to discuss some of the common makeup mistakes people make during different seasons and how to achieve a fresh, natural look that lasts.

For Kelly-Jean, great makeup starts with healthy, well-prepared skin, not a cupboard full of products.

One of the biggest mistakes people make during warmer days, she says, is trying to make their makeup last by applying more products.

“They use a heavy moisturiser, a full-coverage foundation, powder, setting spray, and suddenly they’ve got five layers sitting on their skin before they’ve even left the house!

In hot weather, I always recommend stripping things back. You don’t necessarily need full coverage everywhere.”

She suggests using a lighter foundation or skin tint and applying concealer only where it is needed, allowing the skin’s natural texture to show through.

“The other mistake is using too much powder. Powder is fantastic, but if you apply it all over the face, particularly over dehydrated skin, it can look heavy and emphasise texture.

My philosophy is that your skin should still look like skin. You want to enhance your complexion, not completely mask it. And in summer, less product often gives you a much more beautiful result.”

How to achieve a fresh, natural makeup look

For anyone who wants a fresh, natural look that enhances their features rather than concealing them, Kelly-Jean says good skincare and sunscreen are essential starting points.

“Then use a sheer base or a little concealer to even out the complexion. You don’t need to cover every freckle, mark or bit of natural skin texture.”

She recommends adding cream blush for a healthy flush, lightly defining the eyebrows, applying mascara and finishing with a lip product of your choice, whether that is a tinted balm, gloss or lipstick.

“One thing I always tell people is to work with their own features. If you have beautiful eyes, bring attention to them. If you love your cheekbones, enhance them with blush. You don’t have to follow every trend or contour your entire face to look polished.”

The takeaway? Natural makeup is not about avoiding makeup altogether but making the products you use to work harder.

A few well-placed products can make a much bigger difference than a full face of heavy foundation.

Summer makeup essentials: What should you keep in your beauty bag?

When it comes to summer makeup, Kelly-Jean recommends keeping a few versatile essentials on hand, including a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, a lightweight skin tint or foundation, concealer, cream blush, an eyebrow product, mascara and a setting product suited to your skin type.

“I’d swap a heavy, full-coverage foundation for something lighter, and instead of applying layers of concealer everywhere, I’d use it strategically. A cream blush can give you colour and dimension without needing lots of different products. You can also use a tinted lip balm instead of carrying several lip products around.”

For longer-lasting makeup, she says setting spray and a little strategically placed powder can help, depending on your skin type and the products you use.

“The important thing is not to confuse lightweight makeup with makeup that doesn’t perform. There are some fantastic lightweight formulas that give you a beautiful finish.

And please don’t forget your SPF. Your makeup is not a substitute for sunscreen, even if your foundation has SPF in it. Apply your sunscreen as directed and make sure you reapply it during the day.”

Makeup tips for oily and dry skin

Choosing the right products for your skin type can make a difference to how your makeup looks and wears throughout the day.

For those with oily skin, Kelly-Jean recommends lightweight skincare, a suitable foundation and targeted oil control.

She suggests using a mattifying primer on areas that tend to become shiny, followed by a thin layer of foundation and a small amount of powder where needed.

“I’d also recommend blotting papers. They’re a great way to remove excess oil without continually adding product. And don’t assume that the most matte foundation is automatically the best choice, you still want the skin to look healthy and natural.”

For those with dry skin, hydration is key. Use a moisturiser suited to your skin type and allowing it to absorb before applying makeup.

A hydrating foundation or skin tint can help create a fresh finish, while limiting powder can prevent makeup from emphasising dryness and texture.

Cream blush and other cream products can also work beautifully on dry skin, offering a fresh, skin-like finish.

“But here’s the important part: oily and dry skin don’t necessarily need completely different makeup routines. Both benefit from good preparation, thin layers and products chosen for their actual needs.”

Skincare preparation is one of the most important steps before applying makeup. However, that does not mean you need a complicated, ten-step routine to achieve a good finish.

“In summer, I’d keep it simple: cleanse, apply a lightweight moisturiser suited to your skin type, and finish with sunscreen. Give your skincare a little time to settle before applying makeup.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that oily skin doesn’t need moisturiser. It absolutely does. If your skin is dehydrated, you may find that makeup clings to dry areas while other areas become shiny. You need to find the right balance for your skin.”

While you cannot completely prevent sweating in hot weather, you can be strategic about how you apply and maintain your makeup.

Kelly-Jean recommends starting with thin layers rather than applying too much product at once.

“Apply a small amount of foundation, allow it to settle, and then add concealer only where necessary. Thin layers tend to wear more gracefully than one thick layer of product.

If you have oily areas, use a small amount of powder on the centre of the forehead, around the nose and on the chin. You don’t necessarily need powder on the entire face.”

Primer can also help in specific areas, but it is not essential for everyone.

When it comes to touch-ups, blotting papers can help absorb excess oil without adding more layers of powder.

“And if your makeup starts to break down, don’t keep piling product on top. Blot first, tidy up what’s moved, and then touch up only where you need to.”

The five-minute summer makeup routine

Whether you’re a corporate professional heading to work, preparing for a campaign shoot or rushing out to cover an assignment, sometimes you only have five minutes to get ready.

So, which products should make the cut?

Jean recommends prioritising five essentials: sunscreen, concealer, cream blush, mascara and a tinted lip balm or lipstick.

“First, sunscreen that’s non-negotiable. Second, concealer to brighten under the eyes and even out any areas that need a little extra coverage. Third, cream blush, because it instantly brings life and colour back into the face.

Fourth, mascara, to define the eyes. And fifth, a tinted lip balm or lipstick to finish the look.”

If you prefer a more even complexion, she suggests swapping concealer as the main base product for a lightweight skin tint, using a little concealer only where necessary.

“You can also use your cream blush on your lips if the formula is suitable for both, which is a great way to simplify your routine. You don’t need to spend half an hour getting ready to look polished. A little colour, some definition and an even complexion can go a long way.”

Her final tip is to focus on placement rather than the number of products you use.