This summer, I basically lived on the beach—from Marbella in Spain to the Amalfi Coast in Italy. From early mornings to late evenings, I stayed out and about, and honestly? My makeup usually didn’t survive in the past. But this year, I finally figured out a beach-proof makeup routine that doesn’t melt, doesn’t burn, and doesn’t feel heavy. I went from “greasy mess” to “effortless beach glam” and I’m not going back.
So here’s my honest breakdown of what I’ve tested:
Which products truly survive sweat, sea breeze, and scorching sun—and which are just marketing fluff? Let’s get real.
🏖️ BEACH BEAUTY TRENDS I’M OBSESSED WITH THIS YEAR
Before: Scared of getting tanned → Full face of thick sunscreen, oily finish, clogged pores.
Now: Lightweight, protective, breathable → Skin feels free, and selfies still look amazing.
When I visited Sicily in July, I tried combining skincare and makeup by using a SPF-infused primer and foundation, and the result shocked me. My base looked natural, didn’t turn ghostly white in photos, and I got compliments like “You’ve been in the sun all day and your makeup still looks fresh?!”
Another thing that really struck me:
Flawless, pore-blurring foundations are out—real skin with small imperfections is in.
This slightly undone, skin-first look just looks better under the sun. It feels clean, radiant, and natural—so much better than a cakey, full-coverage mask.
🌊 MY BEACH MAKEUP DIARY – HOW MY LOOK LASTED 9 HOURS IN 34°C HEAT
I still remember that day in Positano. It was 34°C (93°F), insanely humid, and the sun was relentless. We left the hotel at 10 AM for a full day of sightseeing, photos, beach lounging, and even took a dip in the sea. We didn’t get back until dinner—and my makeup? Still intact. I only touched up once with setting spray. This was easily my most successful makeup day of the whole summer.
I started my morning with Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF40. It feels like a serum, not greasy at all, and gives the skin a beautiful luminous finish. I especially love the subtle glow—my skin looked lit-from-within without any white cast. Plus, my nose usually burns super easily, but this time? No redness at all. Full marks from me.
For foundation, I used the HERA cushion compact, lightly tapping it on for an even tone. It didn’t clog my pores and surprisingly held up against the sweat and heat. My nose area did get sweaty, but nothing caked or melted. A quick tissue blot and I was back to fresh. The finish? Skin-like, radiant, and zero cakiness in photos.
My brows were the real MVP. I used the Benefit waterproof brow pencil, and even after swimming in the afternoon, my brows stayed sharp. No smudging, no fading—I was honestly shocked. When I got back to the hotel and looked in the mirror, they were still perfect!
For eye makeup, I skipped liner and just wore Heroine Make’s waterproof mascara. I’ve used it since college—it’s unbeatable. Zero smudging, even with wind, sweat, and a quick swim. Only downside? It’s stubborn to remove, so bring a solid eye makeup remover.
For cheeks and glow, I used Rare Beauty’s liquid highlighter and Fenty’s cream blush. I applied both with my fingers—they melted right into the skin. Under the sun, I looked like I had naturally radiant, healthy skin. And unlike powder blush, these didn’t get patchy or disappear halfway through the day.
For lips, my go-to is Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint. I’ve repurchased it at least five times—it’s that good. The colors brighten your whole face without being too bold, and they stay put. I had pasta and lemon soda for lunch, and my lips still looked tinted and hydrated—no cracking or fading despite the sun and salty air.
Finally, setting. I used MAKE UP FOR EVER’s loose powder to lock things in, and carried Urban Decay’s All Nighter spray with me. I only sprayed once mid-day, and the look held until evening. Honestly, it lasted better than my winter office makeup.
We took over 300 photos that day, and I didn’t need filters or retouching in any of them. Even my friend said, “How is your makeup still flawless?” So yes—the right products matter. A lot.
💡 PRACTICAL MAKEUP TIPS FOR THE BEACH
- Skip full-face concealer—just spot correct where needed (dark circles, blemishes) and let the rest breathe.
- Cushion compacts beat liquid foundation at the beach: light, portable, and less prone to cakiness.
- Waterproof brow and eye products are a must—or you’ll return with melted arches and raccoon eyes.
- Don’t layer powder on top of sweat! Blot oil first, then lightly tap with a cushion or mist to refresh.
🧳 BEACH MAKEUP PACKING LIST – LIGHT BUT POWERFUL
| Category | Product | Why I Love It |
|---|---|---|
| Primer | Supergoop! Glowscreen | SPF + glow in one step |
| Base | HERA Cushion / NARS Concealer | Easy to carry, doesn’t cake |
| Brows | Benefit Waterproof Brow Pencil | Legit water-proof |
| Eyes | 3CE Eyeshadow + Heroine Make Mascara | Long-lasting and travel-friendly |
| Cheeks/Highlight | Rare Beauty Liquid / Fenty Cream Blush | Won’t dry out or go patchy |
| Lips | Rom&nd Tint / Dior Lip Glow | One glossy, one hydrating |
| Setting | MUFE Powder + Urban Decay Spray | Sweat-resistant + longevity boost |
I used to dread doing my makeup at the beach. I’d worry it would melt within hours, or worse—make me break out. But after testing these products and finding the right textures, I’ve realized beach makeup can be fun, empowering, and stress-free.
Natural, radiant, and long-lasting—no matter how strong the sun or wind, you can still feel like your most confident self.
If you want to get your hands on the summer beach makeup products I recommended in this article, I highly suggest checking out several global shopping platforms: Lookfantastic from the UK offers a wide range of European and American skincare and makeup brands with frequent discounts; the international beauty giant Sephora has online stores across multiple countries, providing fast access to new and limited-edition releases; Cult Beauty specializes in niche high-end beauty products and is great for discovering fresh finds; Amazon Global is known for fast shipping and official flagship stores, perfect for quick restocks; and if you love Korean and Japanese beauty and fashion, YesStyle is a must-visit. Most of these platforms support international shipping or forwarding services and offer various payment options, making it easy and reliable to shop and create your perfect 2025 summer beach look.
