With their sun-drenched romance and outdoor celebrations, summer weddings present unique challenges for bridal beauty. The sweltering heat and humidity can wreak havoc on even the most meticulously applied makeup and expertly styled hair. For salon professionals, mastering the art of keeping brides looking flawless throughout their special day, despite the summer sizzle, is paramount. StyleSpeak connects with with celebrity makeup artistes – Ojas Rajani and Cherag Bambboat to understand what techniques and products to use to ensure their brides withstand the summer heat, keeping their looks radiant from the first photograph to the last dance.
Priming for Perfection: The Makeup Foundation
The key to long-lasting summer bridal makeup lies in creating a solid, heat-resistant foundation.
This starts with meticulous skin preparation. Makeup artists often begin by cleansing the bride’s face with a gentle, oil-free cleanser, followed by a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer that won’t feel heavy or greasy. The crucial step is the application of a mattifying primer. These primers create a smooth canvas, absorb excess oil, and prevent makeup from slipping and sliding due to sweat. Different formulations cater to various skin types, with some specifically targeting enlarged pores or redness. Cherag recommends using silicone-based primer, following it up with layers of HD powder, and sealing it with a fixing spray. “Insider tip: Touch up the makeup with a muslin cloth,” says Cherag. “Silicone primers act as a waterproof and sweat proof base, hence the foundation will not budge for more than 24 hours as it tends to hold the foundation like a second skin”, adds Ojas.
Layering Lightly: Building a Lasting Look
In the summer heat, less is definitely more when it comes to makeup application. Heavy layers of foundation can feel suffocating and are more prone to melting. Instead, makeup artists opt for lightweight, buildable formulas like tinted moisturizers, BB creams, or long-wearing liquid foundations applied with a damp sponge or brush for a sheerer finish. Concealer is strategically used only where needed to cover imperfections. Cream-based products, while often beautiful, can feel heavy in the heat. Powder-based formulas, applied sparingly to the T-zone and areas prone to shine, help to set liquid and cream products and absorb excess oil throughout the day. “Layering too many products always backfires. It’s best to use concealer and powder foundation instead of liquid foundation in the summer”, recommends Ojas.
Eyeing Enduring Elegance: Preventing Smudges and Creases
The eyes are a focal point of any bridal look, and ensuring the eye makeup stays put in the summer heat requires careful product selection and application. Cream eyeshadows, known for their tendency to crease, are often avoided in favour of long-wearing powder shadows applied over an eyeshadow primer. This primer creates a good base that helps the shadow adhere and prevents creasing. “To prevent smudging, brands like Huda have made easy bake powder and easy bake foundation, which work miraculously”, says Ojas.
Waterproof or smudge-proof eyeliner and mascara are non-negotiable for summer brides, preventing those dreaded raccoon eyes caused by sweat or happy tears. Setting the under-eye concealer with a light dusting of translucent powder further prevents creasing.
Locking in the Look: Setting Sprays and Blotting Papers
The final step in creating heat-resistant bridal makeup is the generous application of a setting spray. Ojas says, “I always use a setting powder, finishing powder, and a waterproof mist to keep the makeup in place for more than 24 hours. I have brides telling me that their makeup lasted till the next morning breakfast event. Huda Beauty has made the world’s finest easy bake setting spray, which holds and seals the makeup brilliantly.”
These sprays come in various formulations, including mattifying, hydrating, and long-wearing options. Applied in a fine mist over the entire face, they help to blend the makeup layers together and create a barrier against sweat and humidity. Makeup artists often recommend brides keep blotting papers handy throughout the day to gently absorb any excess oil without disturbing their makeup.
Hair That Holds: Beating the Humidity Blues
Just like makeup, bridal hairstyles face a significant challenge from summer humidity, which can cause even the most intricate updos to frizz and fall flat.
Hairstylists employ a range of techniques and products to combat this. Ojas always uses anti-frizz and humidity-protecting texture spray to keep the hair in place. Cherag recommends using a dry shampoo and styling for fluff and bounce. Starting with a clean, product-free base is essential. Lightweight volumizing mousses applied to damp hair before blow-drying create a foundation for hold without weighing the hair down. “Waves look glamorous and are the trending hairstyle this summer. If done cleverly with a wave maker tool, it can last for the entire day, and it looks way better than a blow dry, which can be slightly floppy”, suggests Ojas.
“Beyond the magic of styling potions and expert hands, a chilled compress is my secret weapon for a serene and sculpted bridal canvas. It whispers calm to flushed skin, bids adieu to puffiness, and locks that gorgeous makeup in for the long haul. But the vibe? That’s just as vital! Play upbeat tunes, a sprinkle of laughter, and refreshing sips of watermelon or cucumber-mint coolness – because a happy, hydrated bride is a truly radiant one!” concludes Ojas.
