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If you’re traveling to a hot and humid destination, the wrong makeup can ruin any photos you plan on taking and make you feel like you want to hop in the shower and start fresh. If you want a polished look without the oiliness, here are our readers’ recommendations for the best travel makeup to add to your packing list.
Best Sweat Proof Makeup
Table Of Contents
Travel Fashion Girl help! A reader asks:
“I’m headed to Belize next week. What is your best makeup for humid weather?”
High temps and humidity can make applying makeup a nightmare, as it can melt off within just a few minutes. If you’d prefer not to go without, swap your standard travel products for sweat proof makeup that can withstand more extreme temperatures.
Here’s what our readers say are the best sweat proof makeup products out there:
Best Mascara
Water Resistant Mascara That Keeps You Going All Summer Long
When you’re having a great time on your trip, the last thing you want is to look like you’ve been crying in almost every picture! Enter Clinique—it’s waterproof mascara is some of the best makeup for hot, humid weather. One reader says, “No more panda eyes that used to happen daily no matter what I did.”
You can also find this at: Sephora, Clinique and ULTA.
Check out our tips for packing travel makeup!
A Mascara Rated as Some of the Best Makeup for Humid Climates
A mascara that lives up to its name, L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise is indeed heavenly make up for humid weather. One reader calls it “really good” and says, “I find I have to wipe the brush before applying but once on, it doesn’t budge. It’s not terrible to remove, either.”
Can also grab it at: ULTA, Target or Walmart.
Blinc Smudge Proof Mascara Keeps Lashes Dry All Day
For humid destinations, a tubing mascara is the way to go, especially if you want to swap out your waterproof brand. Blinc forms tiny water-resistant “tubes” around your lashes for maximum amplification and hold.
Once applied, the tubes bind to your lashes and don’t run, clump, or flake. One reader says, “It does not smudge. It holds up well during tennis in southern North Carolina, too.”
You can also find this at: Amazon.
Take a look at our readers go-to waterproof mascaras for travel!
Best Eyeliner
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Goes the Distance
When you need a budge-proof eyeliner that lasts all day long, reach for a liquid version. One reader recommends Stay All Day eyeliner saying, “It’s wonderful. I wore it all over Costa Rica last year with no issues.”
This easy-glide, quick-dry precision liner stays in place until you say when, and they’ll be no smudges, feathering, or running. It goes on smoothly and heck, yes—it’s so strong, it may even outlast you!
You can also get it at these online retailers: Sephora, Nordstrom and ULTA.
These are the ultimate non smudge eyeliner according to TFG readers!
The Best Liquid Eyeliner for Longevity in High Humidity
Keep that perfect cat eye on fleek with this Milani eyeliner. Its long-lasting formula will keep you from smudging or smearing for up to 17 LONG hours!
Whether you’re climbing a mountain, white water rafting, or dancing all night, your liner will stay put. As one reader says, “It doesn’t come off until you take it off!”
You can also grab this directly at ULTA.
You’ll want to look your best when you travel! Read my travel tips to Pack Light Stylishly!
Best Eyebrow Pencil or Gel
Shape and Shade With a Reliable Brow Liner
This MAC eyebrow pencil isn’t a pencil exactly, more of an incredibly fine-tipped felt-tip brow pen containing their special liquid formula. Users say it’s easy to apply and that it’s long-lasting and will withstand hotter temperatures.
A breeze to use, it’s double-ended, having the product pen on one side, and a sponge tip on the other end, which is terrific for blending.
Grab it at these other retailers too: ULTA and MAC.
Check out our roundup of the best waterproof brow pencil selection!
Sephora Collection Retractable Pencil
Keep Brows Happy With a Waterproof Eyebrow Liner
This Sephora eyebrow pencil has an ultra-fine tip and it’s retractable, so no messes or sharpeners to contend with. Users love it, especially its waterproof and sweat-proof abilities, with one sharing they’ve worn it at the beach and didn’t have raccoon eyes at the end of the day!
There is a spoolie end for easy taming and blending. Plus it comes in 10 long-lasting shades.
WUNDER2 WUNDERBROW Eyebrow Gel
Get Eyebrow Help When It Heats Up
If you have unruly brows, the Wunder2 Wunderbrow gel eyebrow product is adored by users. It’s waterproof and users even share that it can last a couple of days through humid climates without budging. Plus the formulation is vegan and cruelty-free!
Fans rave about its natural-looking colors but share that you get better results using the angled brush, rather than the enclosed applicator wand.
You can also grab it directly from Wunderbrow!
Here are the best eye brow gels for women on the go!
Use This Gel Brow Helper To Look Fab 24/7
The Benefit gel eyebrow liner is water-resistant and lasts, and comes in s natural shades that builds brows beautifully. Wearers describe it as “great for busy people who just want to swipe it on and go!”
For a non-tinted version, check out the Benefit 24 hour brow setter that is a great clear gel!
You can also purchase this at: ULTA and Amazon.
Best Eyeshadow
This Editor’s Favorite Performs in the Heat
Editor-in-chief Alex loves the custom palettes from MAC. They come in small pods, which allows you to only travel with the colors you actually use. Alex has a custom palette with four shades—two for daytime and two for nighttime looks.
You can also find it at these retailers: MAC and ULTA.
Check out our our picks for a downsized eyeshadow travel pallette!
Revlon Colorstay Looks Book Eyeshadow Palette
The Best Compact Eyeshadow Palette Stays Fresh All Day
In humid places, eyeshadow can start to smudge, but with these Revlon ColorStay palettes you can achieve a shimmery, metallic, or matte look and it’ll last all day—up to 24 hours to be exact!
This line comes in five different eye looks so choose one that works for you!
Grab it at these other retailers too: Target and Walmart.
Best Blusher
A Top Blusher That Gives A Long-Lasting Natural Look
This Clinique blush pop is a cute daisy embossed pressed powder that comes in a wide range of shades. Users say it lasts all day and won’t streak at all. You don’t need to use a lot to get the right color and it gives a natural glow to the cheeks.
You can also pick this up at these retailers: Amazon, ULTA, Clinique and Macy’s.
These are the top blushes that can stand for the rigors of travel, and more!
Look Sunkissed in This 12-Hour Blush
The Tarte Flush blush comes in a round mirrored compact that contains the pressed powder in a ton of shades. The soft powder contains Amazonian clay and it has a smooth texture that goes over makeup well.
A wonderful, long-wearing choice that stays looking fresh!
You can also get it at these online retailers: tarte, ULTA, and Macy’s.
Check out the best cream blush stick and compacts you can pop in your purse!
Best Foundation
The Best Foundation for Hot Humid Weather Comes From the Drugstore
This foundation by L’Oreal holds up extremely well under warm weather scrutiny, according to several TFG readers. One says, “I used it with sunscreen underneath and it worked really well all over Southeast Asia. It stayed on all day.” Another reader agrees, calling it her “go-to” matte foundation.
Can also pick it up at: ULTA and Target.
Check out what made our list for the best foundations for travel that will stand the test of time!
The Best Foundation for Humid Weather and Great Coverage
For something a little more high-end that offers amazing coverage, even as you’re secretly wilting under triple digits, look no further than Kat Von D for what one reader calls “a trooper in sweaty weather.” Since this is a Kat Von D product, it’s meant to cover just about everything from tattoos to scars and beyond. It’s vegan and cruelty-free, too!
You can also find this at: KVD Beauty and ULTA!
BareMinerals Original Foundation
This Sweat Proof Foundation for Oily Skin Is also a Broad Spectrum Sunscreen
If you prefer more coverage than what a lightly tinted sunscreen has to offer, then try a mineral powder foundation, which many of our readers swear by for hot climates. BareMinerals makes theirs with SPF 15, which gives the wearer complete coverage with a lightweight feel.
One reader calls it the best foundation for hot weather and says it “helps control moisture and oil.”
You can also pick this up at: Amazon, bareMinerals and ULTA.
Here are the stick foundations that our readers swear by!
Other Sweat Proof Makeup Products
Mineral Fusion Is the Best Toner for Glowing Skin
Several readers recommended applying a mattifying toner prior to application for a clear complexion. Although it’s not necessarily a makeup product itself, Mineral Fusion’s toner will help keep whatever you apply on your face smooth and fresh looking all day long.
One reader recommends it, saying, “It gets rid of the ‘shiny’ look when I use it with my moisturizer. I love it.”
It instantly transforms from a cooling gel to a water toner as it clarifies, removes oil, and visibly tightens pores for a clearer, matte look that will just keep going.
A Sweat Proof Primer You Won’t Be Able to Live Without
When comes to wearing makeup for hot weather, don’t skimp on the primer. Veil by Hourglass is one of the best sellers on the market and one our readers really love. One says, “I wear it under my mineral powder foundation. It is really expensive but worth every penny. It has SPF 15 and mattifies the skin. It makes my face feel and look so smooth, soft, and glowing.” We especially love the mini travel size it comes in, too!
You can also find this at these retailers: ULTA, and amazon!
Sometimes a Tinted Sunscreen is the Best Foundation for Hot Weather
Wearing too heavy a tinted moisturizer, foundation, or BB cream can clog pores and cause breakouts. Instead, reach for a slightly tinted sunscreen like this one by Coola. So many of our readers love their products because they have antioxidant benefits and a matte finish that is ideal for normal to oily skin.
With an SPF of 30, one reader gives it a big thumbs up saying, “It is water resistant and has a matte finish. The tint on this is very light but it’s enough to even out your skin.”
You can also grab this up at: ULTA.
These are the best tinted sunscreen!
How to Use Setting Spray to Stay Fresh in Extreme Heat
Use this setting spray by Urban Decay to lock down your makeup for the long, hot haul. When you’re finished applying your face in full, simply spray and go.
Readers applaud its ability to keep makeup in place. even under the harshest, heat conditions. One says simply, “The makeup stays on,” while another says, “I have sensitive skin and I can still use it.”
You can also find this at ULTA.
Best Sweat Proof Makeup Comparison Chart
BRAND | MODEL
FEATURES
RANKING
PRICE
Best Mascara
Clinique Lash Power “No more panda eyes that used to happen daily no matter what I did.”
Check Price
L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise “I find I have to wipe the brush before applying but once on, it doesn’t budge. It’s not terrible to remove, either.”
Check Price
Blinc Mascara “It does not smudge. It holds up well during tennis in southern North Carolina, too.”
Check Price
Best Eyeliner
Stila Stay All Day “It’s wonderful. I wore it all over Costa Rica last year with no issues.”
Check Price
Milani Stay Put Matte Liquid Eyeliner “It doesn't come off until you take it off!”
Check Price
Best Eyebrow Pencil or Gel
MAC Shape + Shade Brow Tint This MAC eyebrow pencil isn’t a pencil exactly, more of an incredibly fine-tipped felt-tip brow pen containing their special liquid formula. Users say it’s easy to apply and that it’s long-lasting and will withstand hotter temperatures.
Check Price
Sephora Collection Retractable Pencil This Sephora eyebrow pencil has an ultra-fine tip and it’s retractable, so no messes or sharpeners to contend with. Users love it, especially its waterproof and sweat-proof abilities, with one sharing they’ve worn it at the beach and didn’t have raccoon eyes at the end of the day!
Check Price
WUNDER2 WUNDERBROW Eyebrow Gel If you have unruly brows, the Wunder2 Wunderbrow gel eyebrow product is adored by users. It’s waterproof and users even share that it can last a couple of days through humid climates without budging. Plus the formulation is vegan and cruelty-free!
Check Price
Benefit Brow Gel The Benefit gel eyebrow liner is water-resistant and lasts, and comes in s natural shades that builds brows beautifully. Wearers describe it as “great for busy people who just want to swipe it on and go!”
Check Price
Best Eyeshadow
MAC Times Eyeshadow Palette Editor-in-chief Alex loves the custom palettes from MAC. They come in small pods, which allows you to only travel with the colors you actually use. Alex has a custom palette with four shades—two for daytime and two for nighttime looks.
Check Price
Revlon Colorstay Looks Book Eyeshadow Palette In humid places, eyeshadow can start to smudge, but with these Revlon ColorStay palettes you can achieve a shimmery, metallic, or matte look and it’ll last all day—up to 24 hours to be exact!
Check Price
Best Blusher
Clinique Cheek Pop Blush This Clinique blush pop is a cute daisy embossed pressed powder that comes in a wide range of shades. Users say it lasts all day and won’t streak at all. You don’t need to use a lot to get the right color and it gives a natural glow to the cheeks.
Check Price
Tarte Amazonian Clay The Tarte Flush blush comes in a round mirrored compact that contains the pressed powder in a ton of shades. The soft powder contains Amazonian clay and it has a smooth texture that goes over makeup well.
Check Price
Best Foundation
L’Oreal Infallible Pro Matte “I used it with sunscreen underneath and it worked really well all over Southeast Asia. It stayed on all day.”
Check Price
Kat Von D Lock-It “a trooper in sweaty weather.”
Check Price
BareMinerals Original Foundation “helps control moisture and oil.”
Check Price
Other Sweat Proof Makeup Products
Mineral Fusion Facial Toner “It gets rid of the ‘shiny’ look when I use it with my moisturizer. I love it.”
Check Price
Hourglass Primer “I wear it under my mineral powder foundation. It is really expensive but worth every penny. It has SPF 15 and mattifies the skin. It makes my face feel and look so smooth, soft, and glowing.”
Check Price
Coola Sunscreen “It is water resistant and has a matte finish. The tint on this is very light but it’s enough to even out your skin.”
Check Price
Urban Decay All Nighter “The makeup stays on,” while another says, “I have sensitive skin and I can still use it.”
Check Price
How to Pack a Makeup Travel Kit
When it comes time to pack your makeup, you’ll want to consider a makeup bag to keep it separate and neat in your luggage. Consider a small cosmetic bag that can fit easily into your toiletry bag.
You also can wrap your makeup bag in clothing and add to your packing cube in your suitcase to better protect it. Even if you travel carry-on only, your bag may be put into an overhead bin, under a seat, or hauled up flights of stairs. You don’t want to break your products.
Watch this video to see how to downsize your makeup for travel!
Only pack what you think you really will need and use. Watch the video above for tips on how to downsize your beauty products.
However, if something does happen to your makeup or beauty supplies, if you forget something, or if you need something, you can buy products at your destination.
Get our free printable makeup checklist here!
What are your top picks for the best sweat proof makeup for travel? Comment below!
For more travel beauty tips, please read:
- Capsule Makeup Collection
- Best Travel Mirror
- Best Long-Lasting Concealers for Travel
- Best Makeup Palettes for Travel
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I love your list!
I live in the US Virgin Islands which has an average temperature of 80+ degrees year round. I am a die hard Mary Kay product user. I love their primer with spf 15, CC cream with spf 15, lash love mascara and the new 3D foundation. The mineral powder is awesome as it is transfer resistant. The liquid eyeliner pen is so easy to use and is long lasting. A quick smudge of lipgloss is all you need. If you want more color, the mineral eye colors and cheek colors have highly pigmented long lasting color, that lasts all day.
Hi Jean, so pleased you enjoyed the article, thank you!! ? Thank you for sharing your go-to makeup brand with us for humid weather, always love reading about our readers favorite products! Happy travels!
I live in Hawaii, which is humid with intense sun. I would say that most women go with a fairly pared down makeup look now for everyday. A heavily made up face can look out of place in hot weather and doesn’t really “go” with warm weather clothing. A “mask” on the face can be very obvious with clothes that are more bare around the shoulder, chest and neck. If foundation melts around wrinkles or mascara/liner gets below the eye, it is aging. I used to always have dark areas under my eye until I realized it was the makeup. Puffy under eye area can also be caused by irritation from eye makeup. So I wear very little to no eye makeup now. On an everyday basis I wear a CC cream, cream blush, a little highlighter and I do my brows. I also wear a moisturizing lip color. I recently switched to IT Cosmetics CC Cream and love it. It gives me good coverage (I have a lot of sun damage that it definitely lessens the appearance of). It also stays put in humidity. It is available is the small travel sizes at Sephora. I use little cream blush pots from Stowaway, highlighter from Hourglass and brow powder duo from Anastasia. For lips I like Dior Addict or Chanel Coco Rouge Flash. I would recommend for anyone visiting a humid climate to go with a more pared down look.
Hi Tania, thank you for taking the time to share your advice about wearing makeup in the heat and for sharing your go-to brands which you like to wear. Happy travels! ?