Have you noticed how humid it’s been feeling lately? The summers here in the UK seem to be getting hotter every year, and I’ve been doing my research on exactly what’s needed to keep you looking and feeling fresh all season long.

British summertime is notrious for its heat being unlike others, the moisture in our air can really feel clammy and oppressive, a recipe for disaster for those of us wearing makeup. I’ve been spending decades refining my kit to make sure clients don’t feel these effects, and this year I’ve been extra lucky travelling to work in even hotter climates and really putting my tools to the test in Ethiopia and Montenegro.

Now I’m ready to share my secret weapons with you, because I don’t just want you to survive, I want you to thrive this summer!
 

Inspired by traditional Japanese practices, Tatcha knew the Geisha’s were onto something. Aburatorigami is a century’s old style of blotting paper made from Abaca leaf, its natural properties help remove excess oil with out taking away natural moisutre. These are on the more expensive side, but I feel like that reflects in the quality! I’ve never used papers that are this effective whilst also creating such little disturbance to the makeup below. The sheets are large and thick, making them robust enough to be used on both sides. There may only be 30 sheets in a pack but you get a lot of use out of each one!

   

As its name suggests, this cream has a water like texture. That might not sound like much at first, but when you try this oil-free moisturiser you’ll feel the refreshment on your skin with out a hint of greasiness. It’s great for those with oily skin year round but in the summer this is the perfect way to keep the shine to a minimum for all of us. Its pore refining and water based qualities create the optimum canvas for your makeup look without any pilling.

We all know by now I’m an Ariane Poole fan through and through, her products are some of the longest standing in my kit and with good reason. This primer for example, delivers one multiple fronts. The lightweight oil-free formula minimises shine and feels really breathable on the skin. I hate to feel weighed down by makeup so its great to start with something this delicate yet impactful. Pores are noticibly refined in an instant and stay that way all day as the ingredients such as Salicylic Acid keep working as you wear it.

If blotting papers weren’t for you, this might be your saviour. This blotting powder has saved my makeup on sweltering shoots many times over. White in appearance once its brushed over the skin you’ll realise it leaves no trace! Colour free, the powder absorbs moisture quickly without any sign of powdery or cakeyness left behind.

It’s really as straight forward as it sounds. A super fine mist that can be applied over makeup to refresh you throughout the day. No sticky feeling, just cool hydration that is a welcome reprieve on long hot days when you don’t have much time to freshen up. If it can keep the models I work with going on location at 30+ degrees, I feel confident it will help you too!

Viral sensations aren’t always worth the hype but for this one it was deserved. A thicker more gel like consistency to some of the other products on this list, the cream softens and mattifies for a beauty filter like effect that’s great for “no makeup” days. It’s the ideal product when you’re feeling too hot and bothered for lots of makeup and just want a simple routine that gives you great skin texture with a natural gentle glow.

SPF under makeup can be a tricky, the properties involved in creating practical sunscreens often opposes the results we’re trying to achieve with our makeup. Thankfully, Beauty Pie’s Featherlight sunscreen is built to combat these woes. With a high SPF of 50 too it’s hard not to love how this cream and primer combo soaks into your skin for a lightweight feel. Packed with lots of powerful ingredients to combat sun damage, oiliness, dehydration and blemishes this is a real winner in my books.

Often partying late into the evening and not wanting to worry about their makeup budging, this one is a fan favourite with my brides. Urban Decay claim this spray can hold for 16 hours and I’ve seen the proof at work multiple times over. With the challenges of summer added on top of just getting makeup to stay put, the bonus with this setting spray comes from its ‘Temperature Control Technology’ that has a cooling effect on your actual makeup!