Journal · Beauty tips · Summer
Summer makeup essentials: 3 must-haves that stay put all day
When summer arrives, many of us want to break free of our usual products and try something new. A hot season calls for lightweight summer makeup that stays in place all day long. Below are my three summer must-haves, plus how to wear them so your makeup looks as fresh at night as it did in the morning.
By Corrie Elle, founder and lead makeup artist · Updated October 2026 · 5 min read
The short version
- A go-to lip colour with moisturising ingredients keeps lips comfortable in sun and heat.
- A long-wear gel eyeliner stays smudge-proof, even in humidity.
- A tinted CC cream with SPF gives light coverage for an easy no-makeup makeup look.
- Keep layers thin, set the areas that get shiny, and carry blotting papers.
Summer makeup must-have 1: a go-to lip colour
Looking for a fresh colour that will actually do your lips a favour? In summer, I reach for lipsticks packed with nourishing ingredients, such as fruit butters, natural oils and antioxidants, because sun and heat can leave lips dry.
Bright, light or bold, choose one shade you love and wear it all season. When I first wrote this post, my favourite was Toronto’s own Bite Beauty, which has since closed. Fortunately, plenty of brands now make lipsticks with the same kind of moisturising formulas. Not sure which shade suits you? Here’s how to choose lipstick colour.
Must-have 2: a liner that stands up to humidity
After all, it shouldn’t be too much to expect that we look the same when we come home as we did when we left that morning. That’s why I love a gel eyeliner. A silky gel formula is easy to apply, then sets to a long-wearing, smudge-proof finish.
My pick back then was MAC’s Fluidline, and gel liners are still my first choice for summer. Humidity doesn’t stand a chance. For more liner tricks, read my eye makeup tips.
Must-have 3: the no-makeup makeup
What if you could protect your skin from UV rays, nourish it and get a little coverage, all in one step? That’s exactly what a CC cream does. Colour-correcting creams combine moisture, sun protection and a tint, so skin looks even without feeling covered.
When I first wrote this, my favourite was Peter Thomas Roth’s CC cream, which is rich in vitamin C. Whichever one you choose, look for a broad-spectrum SPF and a shade that matches your neck as well as your face.
Corrie’s tip
SPF in a CC cream is a great bonus, but it rarely replaces sunscreen on a long day outdoors. So, apply sunscreen first, or reapply over the top with an SPF mist.
CC cream, BB cream or foundation for summer makeup?
All three can work in summer, depending on how much coverage you want. Here’s how they compare.
Correct and protect
CC cream
- Light coverage that evens out redness and dullness
- Usually includes SPF as well as skincare ingredients
- Ideal for a no-makeup makeup look
Tint and hydrate
BB cream
- Sheer to light coverage with a dewy finish
- Often hydrating, so it suits dry skin
- Great for beach days and weekends
Build and perfect
Foundation
- Coverage you can build, for example from light to full
- A long-wear formula lasts through heat
- Best for events, photos and your wedding
A simple summer makeup routine
Light layers are the secret to makeup that lasts through a hot day. This is the routine I recommend. Getting married in the heat? See my guide to summer wedding makeup.
01
Prep lightly
First, use a light, oil-free moisturiser and let it sink in before anything else.
02
Protect
Next, apply sunscreen, then a CC cream or a thin layer of long-wear foundation.
03
Set the shine zones
Then press a little powder only where you get shiny, such as the forehead, nose and chin.
04
Define
After that, add a gel eyeliner and waterproof mascara, so your eyes stay defined in the heat.
05
Finish with lips
Finally, add your go-to lip colour, and keep it with you for touch-ups.
Summer makeup: your questions
For more beauty tips through every season, follow us on Instagram, or read my winter skin care routine.
How do I keep my makeup from melting in summer?
Keep every layer thin, use long-wear or waterproof formulas, and set only the areas that get shiny. Then blot during the day instead of adding more powder.
Is CC cream better than foundation in summer?
For everyday wear, often yes, because it’s lighter and usually includes SPF. For events and photos, however, a long-wear foundation gives more coverage and staying power.
What is a no-makeup makeup look?
It’s a fresh, natural look that evens out the skin and adds subtle definition, so you look like yourself on a great day. A CC cream, mascara and a tinted lip are a perfect start.
What eyeliner lasts best in humidity?
Generally, a gel or waterproof liquid liner. Let it set for a few seconds before you blink, and it should stay smudge-proof all day.
Getting married this summer? Let’s make it last.
Share your date and venue. We’ll design a summer look that stays fresh from the ceremony to the last dance, and check availability in Toronto, the GTA and Ottawa.