BLOG

Summer Makeup Tips to Keep You Glowing All Season

July 15 2025

As temperatures rise and the city buzzes with energy, summer calls for a beauty routine that can stand up to the heat, humidity, and long days. At Salon Meraki, we believe your makeup should enhance your natural glow, never feel heavy, cakey, or smudged. Whether you're rooftop brunching or catching sunset views, we’ve curated the ultimate summer makeup tips to help you look fresh, radiant, and effortlessly put-together.

Here’s how to keep your look cool no matter how hot it gets.

1. Start with a Solid Skincare Base

Glowing summer makeup starts with healthy skin. In the warmer months, your skin tends to produce more oil and sweat, which means your skincare routine needs to adapt.

Meraki Tip:
Switch to a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer and always use SPF (at least 30) under your makeup. Look for sunscreens that double as primers, like ones with a matte finish or pore-blurring technology, to keep your makeup in place all day.

We recommend regular facials or skin treatments to keep your complexion clear and dewy. 

2. Less is More: Opt for Lightweight Coverage

Heavy foundation and sticky weather don’t mix. Trade your full-coverage formulas for lightweight options that let your skin breathe.

Meraki Tip:
Use a tinted moisturizer, BB cream, or a breathable skin tint. If you need a little more coverage, spot-conceal only where needed (under the eyes, around the nose, or blemishes). This approach gives you a natural, barely-there finish that won’t slide off your face by noon.

Want a pro-finish glow? Stop into Meraki and let our makeup artists create a flawless base for your next big event or night out.

3. Set It & Forget It (with the Right Powder)

Melting makeup is every city girl’s nightmare in July. The trick? Strategic setting.

Meraki Tip:
Use a translucent, finely milled setting powder only in areas that need it: the T-zone, under the eyes, and around the mouth. Over-powdering can make your skin look dry and heavy, especially in daylight.

Finish with a lightweight setting spray to lock in your look and give your skin that dewy, lived-in summer glow.

4. Choose Cream Formulas for a Natural Finish

Summer is the perfect time to embrace cream-based products. They melt seamlessly into your skin and move with your natural oils, rather than sitting on top of them.

Meraki Tip:
Opt for cream blush, bronzer, and highlighter for a soft, sun-kissed finish. Peachy-pink blushes, warm bronzers, and champagne-toned highlighters look gorgeous in natural light and flatter every skin tone.

Pro tip: Apply with your fingers for the most natural blend, or book a makeup appointment at Salon Meraki to learn how to apply your cream products like a pro.

5. Waterproof Everything

New York humidity? Sudden summer rain? Sweat from catching the subway? You need makeup that doesn’t budge.

Meraki Tip:
Use waterproof or water-resistant versions of your essentials: mascara, eyeliner, and even brow products. Smudged raccoon eyes are never in season, but a fluttery waterproof mascara will keep your lashes lifted through it all.

At Salon Meraki NYC, we offer professional brow shaping and tinting services to help you wake up with perfect brows, no pencil required.

6. Glow Intentionally (Not Oily!)

There’s a fine line between a healthy glow and a greasy shine.

Meraki Tip:
Highlight the high points of your face (cheekbones, brow bone, tip of the nose) with a cream or liquid highlighter. Avoid using shimmer-heavy products on areas prone to oiliness, like the forehead or chin.

Blotting papers are your secret weapon to soak up excess shine throughout the day, without messing up your makeup.

7. Pop of Color: Summer’s Bright Side

Summer is the perfect excuse to play with color! Think coral lips, flushed cheeks, or a swipe of vibrant eyeliner.

Meraki Tip:
If you’re keeping your base simple, balance it with a bold pop, like a fuchsia lipstick or electric blue mascara. The key is to pick one feature to highlight and keep the rest clean.

Not sure which shades work best with your skin tone? Our team can customize a summer look just for you with our in-salon makeup services.

8. Hydrate From the Inside Out

Makeup is only as good as the canvas underneath it. Staying hydrated not only helps your skin glow but also prevents your makeup from settling into dry spots.

Meraki Tip:
Drink plenty of water, eat water-rich fruits (hello, watermelon!), and keep a facial mist in your bag for a midday refresh. A quick spritz will revive your makeup and give your skin a dewy boost—no touch-up required.

Ready to Glow All Summer?

Our expert artists know how to translate trends into looks that are wearable, flattering, and uniquely you. Whether you're heading to a summer wedding, a photoshoot, or just want to upgrade your everyday routine, we’re here to make your summer beauty dreams come true.

Book your next makeup session today and let us help you shine without breaking a sweat.

You can find us at 1281 Arthur Kill Road in Staten Island and call us at 718.966.6601 to book an appointment. You can also try our Meraki Hair & Makeup Studio mobile app, available for free on iTunes or Google Play.