Wedding Hair and Make-up Tips for Hot Weather

With more and more couples having intimate destination weddings, summer still being the favourite season for your celebrations, and the sun shining us through May, I wanted to put together some advice for all you gorgeous ladies out there concerned about hot temperatures wreaking havoc with your hair and make-up look.

The culprits when it comes to warm weather scruffiness tend to be the humidity, which can make your hair frizzy and your makeup appear wet, and perspiration, which can cause make-up to run, smear, or melt. If you’re having your hair and make-up done by a professional on the day, talk to your artist during your trials to ensure he/she is aware of the circumstances; do offer suggestions if you have particular brands you know suit you and have worked for you in the past. For brides planning on doing their own makeup, and guests attending warm-weather nuptials, the key is definitely research (and a little bit of trial and error!) to discover what works best for your skin type.

I’ve teamed up with fabulous make-up artist, ex-beauty blogger, and dear friend Kayleigh of Kayleigh K MUA to bring you some top tips, advice, and inspiration for your summer bridal beauty look. Her and I have a very similar style, and I love her dedication to looks that enhance beauty in a natural and playful way. We both strongly believe that getting-married makeup should look like the best everyday-makeup: the most fabulous, confident, and comfortable version of you.

Tips for Bridal Make-up and Hair in Hot Weather
Planning & Styling by The Stars Inside & Kayleigh K MUA, Photography by Caroline Opacic

You may already know that, in summer climates, you try to wear less make-up if you can, and be really selective about what you put on your skin: it’s definitely worth investigating if your favourite brands have any products specifically designed for hot weather, longwear, or waterproof versions of what you normally buy. Try a few different combinations, and see what has the most impact on your look. If you can concentrate on just a few elements, they will be easier to touch up and control. If you’re not comfortable reducing the amount of make-up you wear, that’s also fine! Layering definitely helps set make-up – so that’s something you can play and experiment with. For example, use a liquid foundation, then set it with bronzer; or use a cream blush, then set it with powder blush, and so on.

Here is some advice for fresh, long-lasting makeup:

  • Your skin: Start with an oil-free moisturiser in the morning. A good long-lasting primer is next: this goes on after moisturiser, but before face makeup. Then use a light layer of waterproof, oil-free or silicone-based foundation (or just stick to tinted moisturizer) to even the skin tone if you want. Concealer has a thicker texture that lasts longer, so if you can, use this instead of foundation just on any problem areas. Translucent powder can be used on top to help set everything flawlessly.
  • Cheeks: Highlighters and bronzers work really well in warm weather because they give skin that golden, radiant glow that looks so gorgeous on camera – but use this sparingly to avoid too much shine. To make sure it looks natural, apply bronzer just to the high points of your face, where sunlight naturally hits skin: forehead, cheekbones, chin, and nose. You can also sweep a little bronzer onto your neck and earlobes to blend through. If powder blush feels cakey, try a gel or blush stain, then blend a touch of a cream blush on top of it.
  • Eyes: Waterproof mascara and a gel-based or pencil liner, and a good eye shadow primer before applying eye shadow, will work wonders in warm weather. Oh – and avoid using eye cream on your eyelids if you can! For ultimate all-day wearability, use the layering trick here: for example, apply your regular pencil or cream liner, then use a small brush to press eyeshadow over the liner to set it. The key is to think about defining your eyes and lashes as much as possible without using too much product.
  • Lips: Start with a lip balm to nourish, then outline and colour in with a lip pencil, and finally apply a lip colour over the pencil. Instead of using heavy matte lipsticks, you can also opt for a light lip stain. Try pink or peach shades for a traditional summery look, or go bolder with tangerine and grape colors for a more daring look. To make the lipstick last, you can apply a fixing spray or Lipcote as well.
  • Final touch: Setting powder (pressed powder or blot powder) or a fixing spray will make sure it all last as long as possible no matter the weather!

When it comes to hair:

  • Use serums and deep conditioning treatments in the lead-up to the big day, so your hair is as strong and heat resistant as possible. This is particularly important if your hair is naturally quite dry!
  • It’s best to wash your hair the night before your wedding so you can leave it to dry naturally and avoid using a blow drier, which tends to dehydrate hair and make it extra frizzy.
  • Use a little bit of heat-resistant balm or serum on your hair for the day, just to protect it that little bit more.
  • If you’re wearing your hair down, try using a thinner curling wand to curl hair a bit tighter than you typically would – just so your waves are less likely to drop if humidity sets in. The key is to hold each curl for a few seconds so it can cool after you remove the wand. Use a lightweight dry texturizing spray, then brush through gently, using your fingers to slowly tease your waves out to how you like them.
  • If you’re worried about sweating on the dance floor, a voluminous ponytail is a really chic option! Updos are a great way of keeping hair off your face and in place; if your hair is naturally frizzy, try an updo that is looser around the hairline and nape of your neck, which will conceal any frizz. If updos aren’t your thing, try a side braid that will keep your hair off your back.
  • Once your hairstyle has been completed, make sure you seal it off with a light coating of strong-hold hairspray. Once again, you want to have enough coverage for your hairstyle to hold, but not enough that your hair looks sticky or stiff.

Kayleigh has lots more great insights for us – so I’ll let her take it from here!

Tips for Bridal Make-up and Hair in Hot Weather
The lovely Kayleigh!

Welcome to the blog Kayleigh, and thank you so much for helping me with this super important topic!

Let’s start with skincare: what regime would you recommend in the run-up to the big day?

I would definitely recommend speaking to a licensed dermatologist if you have any worries about your skin. While makeup artists can offer advice, a dermatologist can pinpoint exactly what skin type you are and recommend facials and treatments for problem areas. If you generally have pretty good skin and are happy with your routine but would like a few tweaks, I am a huge fan of Korean skincare. I have never met anyone who hasn’t benefited from Korean skincare, which is miles ahead of western skincare on every front! Even just incorporating a simple sheet mask into your routine can really nourish the skin and produce a beautiful glow on a day to day basis. Your makeup artist should be able to help with lots of small and simple tweaks for your big day! For those looking for something a little more in depth – I love a book called Eat Beautiful by Wendy Rowe (a celebrity makeup artist and huge skincare lover!). It is full of yummy seasonal recipes, all tailored to nourishing the skin AND the soul. 

For any skincare newbies looking to invest and improve their skincare routine for their wedding day – Where should they start?

I would say the first thing to do is to invest in a good cleanser. Double cleansing changed my life and is so important if you wear makeup! Ditch wipes and opt for a balm cleanser (Emma Hardie or Clinique Take the Day Off) and an Oil Cleanser (don’t worry if you are oily skinned, oil cleansing may sound WILD, but oil attracts oil!). Book in a facial, possibly 3/4 months before the wedding to see if your skin agrees with it (never do any big beauty changes the week or two leading up to your wedding!). Invest in a good moisturiser for your skin type (Kiehls are my favourite!) and include a few sheet masks into your routine and you should see a big change!

Tips for Bridal Make-up and Hair in Hot Weather
Planning & Styling by The Stars Inside & Kayleigh K MUA, Photography by Chloe Lee Photography

Can you talk us through your top tips and recommendations for a bridal look that can withstand heat and humidity?

My favourite subject! I think a good base that withstands heat and humidity is ALL down to skincare and skin prep. When I sit a bride down for a trial, I am very aware you have lived in your skin for X amount of years, and probably know it a lot better than I do! So we work together to collaborate and figure out exactly what products to use to really hold that makeup down tight. One of my favourite tricks for getting sweat-proof, humidity proof makeup is the Urban Day Setting Spray and if skin is especially oily, we use it as the first AND last step, to really seal everything in. Priming is essential, and the Too Faced Hangover Primer is my favourite at the moment. It’s all about clever layering, and using techniques when applying such as pressing powder in, rather than sweeping, to ensure longevity!

Tips for Bridal Make-up and Hair in Hot Weather
Planning & Styling by The Stars Inside & Kayleigh K MUA, Photography by Rebecca Carpenter

How can brides ensure to have a flawless look while also wearing sunscreen and UV protection?

This is such a great question. I am a HUGE SPF advocate and believe SPF is for daily use, not just hot days! SPF’s have come a long way since the days of those terrible white casts they leave on the face and a good make-up artist will know the right ones to use and what products to pair with them. Again, I believe Korean SPF’s are miles more advanced than ours and almost feel like a second skin, they are so light and leave you feeling matte and fresh, not sticky and oily. My favourite is this one by Moonshot – which is so light, you barely feel like you are wearing an SPF. Things to be aware of when wearing SPF: you definitely need a double, if not triple cleanse! SPF’s are designed to STAY, and if they aren’t effectively removed, they will clog pores and result in breakouts. Also, if you are having an outdoor wedding, there is nothing to worry about photography wise, but if you are relying on flash photography indoors, be aware the wrong SPF can result in flashback! 

Tips for Bridal Make-up and Hair in Hot Weather
Planning & Styling by The Stars Inside & Kayleigh K MUA, Photography by Nina Pang

Is there anything brides (and guests) can do during the day itself to prevent their makeup from melting in warmer weather? Do you have any advice for products that are useful to have in a bride’s clutch on the wedding day?

Pack a small powder compact and powder puff (MAC Blot Powder is my favourite). This will be a godsend if you get a bit oily and is small and discreet enough to carry in your bag! It also might be worth carrying a travel size MAC Fix+ Spray to cool you down and refresh you in those in between moments. Blot paper is also a small discreet handbag favourite, again the MAC one is my favourite. I would also say, one of the main issues for a lot of women in humid weather is mascara running and pressing under their eyes – the dreaded panda effect! I’m a big advocate of eyelash extensions for the big day, so you don’t have to worry about tears or humidity affecting your eyelashes. Not all eyelash extensions are voluminous and overwhelming and the right eyelash technician can create eyelashes that look exactly the way you like them – light and fluttery, sultry and feline, you pick!

Tips for Bridal Make-up and Hair in Hot Weather
Planning & Styling by The Stars Inside & Kayleigh K MUA, Photography by Caroline Opacic

I would love to hear what your favourite make-up colour palettes and combos are for summer weddings?

Palettes are probably the most exciting thing for make-up artists to buy! At the moment I am loving the Marc Jacobs palettes. Super luxe, super high quality and used by the majority of celebrity makeup artists for the met gala (and surely your wedding day is your own met gala!). For the summer I love golden warm tones, I think with that gorgeous summer lighting, golden eyes are a really flattering and pretty. I love MAC Tan pigment, I use it wherever I can to make the eyes pop and shine. If you are looking for a fun and playful wedding palette with more colour, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Riviera Palette is gorgeous, with some really fun pops of colour, which would also fit perfect for a honeymoon palette.

Tips for Bridal Make-up and Hair in Hot Weather
Planning & Styling by The Stars Inside & Kayleigh K MUA, Photography by Rebecca Carpenter

Do you have any tips for brides worried about their hairstyle withstanding perspiration and high temperatures? Are there hairstyles better suited to hot weather?

I would say that an up-do that sits off your face will be best suited to humidity and warmth. Your hair stylist will use the best products they can to ensure it will last, but it is also a good idea doing a thorough test drive of the hair on the day of your trial. Aim to get your hair and makeup done early, and then really put it to the test. Go outside, cook in it, workout in it if you can. Do what you can to put the hair through its reasonable paces so you can see exactly how it holds up. Both hair and make-up artists are always open to feedback: we want to know exactly how it lasted those hours after the trial, so never be afraid to tell them the tweaks that need to be made!

I really hope you enjoyed these tips from the lovely Kayleigh, and that they’ve been helpful in planning for your summery bridal look. If you’d like to get in touch with her about hair and make-up for your wedding or elopement, head over to her contact page – and do make sure you follow her on Instagram to keep up to date with her adventures!

Yours,

Valentina