How to keep makeup from running

Any woman who’s performed in front of a crowd knows how stressful it can be. The human body is a marvelous, powerful thing, but it tends to react in the extreme when we’re faced with any stress of our own. This leads to one of makeup’s biggest enemies: sweat.

When makeup is up against so many odds from bright, hot lights to sweaty skin, how do you keep your makeup looking it’s best? How do celebrities preserve their perfect looks on the red carpets and when it’s heating up on sets? What about the performers and dancers of the world who break a sweat during their time on stage? Here are tips from the experts for keeping your makeup from running when you’re sweaty.

Start with a primer

If your makeup doesn’t have the right base, it’ll be more likely to slide right off your face. Just like when you paint a wall in your house, you have to start with a fresh coat of primer. While your face isn’t exactly a wall, the same principle applies. If you’re prone to oily skin or excessive sweat, you especially should consider using a primer.

When selecting a face primer, opt for one built for your skin type. If you’re prone to oil, choose a mattifying or smoothing primer which will keep your face from getting that shiny look. If you have a lot of redness, opt for a color correcting primer with green undertones.

Choose your foundation wisely

You don’t want to overdo it with your foundation when you’re likely to be sweating. For example, if it’s the height of summer on your wedding day, don’t go for the heaviest coverage you can find. These will only bleed down your face throughout the day. Instead, opt for powder or airbrush makeup. Powder makeup is lighter and stays put much more effectively than liquid foundation.

Additionally, airbrush makeup provides consistent, moderate coverage without appearing heavy. Because it’s applied in a very fine mist, it has a stronger staying power. Airbrushed makeup lasts longer and feels lighter. Because it allows your pores to breath, you’re less likely to feel overheated throughout the day.

Don’t listen to makeup that claims to be sweat-proof. Natural, high-quality makeup is naturally sweat-proof. Because it contains talc as a binding agent, it has natural abilities to stick to your skin without sliding throughout the day. This is yet another reason to be meticulous when selecting the right foundation for your needs.

Set your makeup

Finally, your makeup needs to be set after application to guarantee it stays where you want it. Using a setting powder will help absorb any excess oil and sweat, so it’s a great first layer. Aside from setting powder, a setting spray will add another barrier between your makeup and the outside world.

Look for a setting spray that doesn’t have any alcohol on the ingredients list. Using a setting spray with alcohol is drying to the face which can cause cracks in your foundation. You wouldn’t risk driving without insurance, would you? Why would you waste your makeup without setting it with powder and spray?

Be prepared to blot

No matter what you do, some sweat might still sneak through. This is okay if you’re prepared with the right tools for touching up your look. It might be tempting to jump right to re-applying your makeup when you see signs of it slipping, but don’t start there. It’s smarter to blot with oil blotting paper or a paper towel to get rid of excessive oil before you touch up your look. If you skip this step, there won’t be much for your makeup to stick to.

Look to the pros

Finally, take a hint from the professionals. Dancers, for example, rock their full-faces of makeup despite harsh lights and high stress. They use professional-level makeup to make sure they have perfect performances every time. Alexandra has the perfect dance shoes just as professional dancers use high-quality makeup and professional application.

If you’re planning for your big day, whether it’s a performance or even your wedding day, you might consider professional help. A qualified makeup artist can help you establish a sweat-proof beauty routine. In the meantime, use the tips above to keep your face looking fresh all day long.