Ask Hannah!

It’s well known that we sweat more than cis women, that makes it really hard if not close to impossible to keep an impeccable makeup on our face specially on hot summer days, even when using a pore filler primer. Sometimes just by getting all dressed up you are already breaking a sweat and not to mention the added caused by the wig. Do you have any tips or tricks or how do you deal with this problem?

We don’t sweat, we GLOW.

As you mentioned a primer is pretty essential, especially on warmer days. Waterproof mascara is also important. Make sure you use a setting spray once your makeup is applied as this can help keep you from melting.

Annnnnnnd that’s all I’ve got, lol. I don’t do my own makeup and the two makeup artists I see always ask what I am doing that day (whether I am outside or have a photo shoot and I am going for a certain look or something) and they tweak their products and techniques accordingly.

So, let’s see what the damned internet has to say about makeup and sweat.

From RealSimple:

Sunscreen should be a part of your regular routine year-round, but summer usually requires more diligence since we tend to sweat a little more. When indoors and cool, you can reapply every four hours (UV rays can pass through glass windows). But when you’re out in the sun, you should reapply every two hours or every time you come out of the pool or have been sweating.

Because reapplying can be tricky throughout the day, try spray-on sunscreen, such as Supergoop! (Re)setting Refreshing Mist SPF 40. It gives you a refreshing boost while protecting your skin from the sun.

Matte makeup stays on better than creamy or glossy products, and since it’s formulated without mineral oil or petrolatum it won’t crease throughout the day. It’s also a boon for oily or sweat-prone skin.

Another way to control shine throughout the day is to swipe on a mattifying toner in the morning before moving ahead with the rest of your skincare and makeup routine. A salicylic acid toner, like Sunday Riley Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner, whisks away the dead cells that sit on top of the skin and retain oil. It also has a cooling effect and will help ward off acne.

From Vogue:

How you tend to your skin before you apply makeup is key to enhancing the longevity of base formulas. As well as hydrating the skin, make-up artist Jamie Genevieve is a great believer in the power of primer for makeup longevity. “Use a primer that feels slightly tacky,” she recommends. Most formulas now marry stellar primer capabilities with hydrating and barrier-boosting ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.

Whether you use a spray or a powder, setting your make-up is key. “If you don’t usually set your makeup, powder is great, even if you just apply it to the areas of your skin where makeup tends to move the most,” says Genevieve. “Using a light powder with a Beautyblender makes the skin look airbrushed.” It’s also key to use a setting spray, she says—and yes they do work. “Setting sprays contain ingredients that form a protective veil over your makeup—you can use it as a last step in your make-up routine, or go one step further and mist between layers of makeup to help blend. The latter helps make-up stay in place all day.”

From SimplyWigs:

Overall, synthetic wigs are the winner during the summer months. Synthetic fibres are lighter than human hair, so keep your head cooler. Also, human hair wigs can react to the hot weather in the same way natural hair does; a human hair wig may lose shape or go frizzy with the humidity. Synthetic wigs, however, have ‘style memory’ and will hold their shape even when exposed to the elements.

Of course, you can still rock a human hair wig in the summer, but synthetic wigs are a fantastic option to try if you are wearing wigs in the hot weather and are concerned about overheating.
Whatever wig type you go for, make sure to choose the right accompanying wig care products to keep your wig fresh and flawless all summer long.

Having a moisture-absorbing layer between your scalp and wig can help with heat control. Consider wearing a wig cap to hold everything in place and prevent slipping; if you’re not confident putting on a wig cap, check out our dedicated guide.

Can you wear a wig if you sweat? In the summer months, sweating is natural, especially if you are wearing a possibly heavy wig. As mentioned, wig caps are one effective method to help reduce sweating when wig wearing. For the summer, we recommend opting for bamboo wig caps/liners. The natural material moves sweat to the outer surface of the fabric and dries quicker, helping to avoid excess sweating.

Keeping your wig off your neck is also key when it comes to preventing your head from overheating. Opting for an up-do if you have a longer length wig can help; however, if your aim is to keep from sweating as much as possible, short, breathable wigs are the most effective wig styles to go for.

Keeping your head cool when wearing wigs in summer is a must. If you’re feeling overheated, one of the fastest ways to cool down is to run cold water over the inside of your wrists. Many runners do this to cool down after a run, as the blood vessels are very close to the surface on your pulse points; it’s a great way to cool down quickly.

There is nothing better than a dip in a cold pool when the summer sun gets too much. If you are a water baby, but are conscious of getting your wig wet, don’t worry, there is nothing stopping you from swimming with a wig on this summer. Follow our guide to feeling confident when swimming in your wig this summer.

I hope this helps! I know I learned something, lol.

Love, Hannah

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