Beat the Heat With This Sweat-Proof Makeup Guide
Makeup artists have come to a conclusion: With these tips, hulas-proof makeup is achievable even in our climate.
As someone who loves makeup and sweats like crazy, Philippine heat is basically my arch-nemesis. Whenever I have a late afternoon event in Manila and I’m coming from the province, it’s a whole production: I wake up in the morning, do my makeup, get dressed, and brace myself for the three-hour commute involving buses, trains, jeepneys, and tricycles.
By the time I arrive, my makeup is already waving the white flag. Foundation? Melted. Mascara? Smudged. Lipstick? Gone. That dewy glow I worked so hard on? Now just full-on greasy. It’s a mess.
And I know I’m not alone. There’s a reason why those portable fans from Jisulife and Goojodoq are practically glued to our hands. Between the heat, humidity, and our chaotic transport system, it’s tempting to skip makeup altogether. I’ve tried every TikTok trick in the book, and still end up looking hulas before I even say hello.
So I started asking: Is hulas-proof makeup even possible in the Philippines?
According to two expert makeup artists I spoke to, the answer is a confident yes.
These makeup artists have extensive knowledge in locking-in makeup during high-pressure situations: Albert Kurniawan, a Manila-based Indonesian artist and founder of Teviant Beauty, beloved by brides and our cover star Heart Evangelista; and Mary Twinkle Bernardo, a Filipina makeup artist based in Manila who often works with beauty pageant contestants.
They agree that with the right prep, products, and techniques, long-lasting makeup in this climate is totally achievable. Here’s how.
1. Understand that longevity isn’t just about the weather.
Joseph Pascual
Makeup wear time isn’t only dictated by climate. It’s a mix of factors: the chemistry of your skin, how it reacts with product ingredients, the technique you use, and how you layer your products.
To make hulas-proof makeup possible in a tropical climate, Bernardo shares that it just takes proper skin prep and product placement. The key? Don’t just pile on products. Start by knowing your skin type and how different areas of your face behave: where you get oily, where you dry out, and how your skin responds to certain ingredients.
Kurniawan agrees. He explains that longevity starts with chemistry: not just the environment, but the reaction between your skin and the makeup. According to him, it’s a combination of three things—your skin’s natural chemistry, the heat, and your application technique.
Finally, it’s also about how you layer and combine your products. Not all formulations work well together, and sometimes mixing the wrong ones can cause your makeup to break apart faster.
So if your makeup always seems to melt off before noon, it might not just be the weather. It could be what (and how) you’re using on your skin.
2. Don’t overlayer, especially outdoors.
Joseph Pascual
On hot, humid days, less is more. We’ve always been taught that skin prep is absolutely essential, but over-layering with multiple products such as moisturizers, serums, primers, SPFs can actually shorten the wear time, Kurniawan says.
The more products you layer, the higher the chance they chemically react with your skin’s natural oils and cause your makeup to slide off. “Too much layering of products and too many chemicals, plus your skin’s natural pH and oil production, [can trigger reactions that actually reduce] your makeup’s longevity,” he explains.
A pro-tip from Kurniawan? Stick to water-based foundations for outdoor settings. “Water-based products normally are technically quick self-setting,” he says. These self-setting formulas grip better and resist heat compared to oil- or silicone-based products, which tend to break down faster in humid weather.
Bernardo also emphasizes proper product pairing: “I make sure that the products I use don’t go against each other. I keep track [of] which ones work best when used altogether.”
3. You can’t skip the powder.
“Loose powder is my best friend,” Kurniawan says. A high-quality, finely milled loose powder helps lock in your base makeup and prevent it from sliding. Kurniawan advises to choose powders that are ultra-lightweight or the kind that “flies like smoke” when tapped off the brush like The Ultimate Skin Master Loose Powder from Teviant. These won’t cake or add weight, but they’ll set your makeup securely.
When choosing a loose powder, feel the texture. Lightweight powders shouldn’t feel chalky or clumpy. They should melt into the skin and look almost invisible.
Bernardo recommends layering lightly and using a sponge to pat off any excess. “Once everything looks well-blended, use a setting spray. When it’s almost dry, brush on a light setting powder then press it in with a sponge for a smoother finish.”
Some of her go-to powders for the tropics are the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish, Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder, and MAC Matte Mineralize Skinfinish.
4. Know the difference between setting spray and fixing spray.
Joseph Pascual
Here’s where most people go wrong, Kurniawan says. Setting the record straight, he says, “A setting spray expedites the melting process of the makeup,” so it sets on skin faster, “and a fixing spray is [the one that] holds and seals the makeup.”
For Kurniawan, he goes for fixing sprays containing film-forming agents like copolymers, which form a protective barrier over your makeup. For long-lasting wear (especially on event days, weddings, or beachside occasions) Kurniawan suggests applying fixing spray after each layer: after foundation, after powder, and after final makeup.
Bernardo, meanwhile, swears by Kryolan Fixing Spray as her go-to for long-wear, hulas-proof makeup. She pairs it with Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer and for foundation, she usually goes for Estée Lauder Double Wear, Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech, and Maybelline Super Stay Lumi-Matte—all of which she’s field-tested on real clients in real heat.
5. Treat makeup like weightlifting for the skin.
Here’s a mindset shift from Kurniawan: Makeup is weight your skin has to carry. Just like your muscles need training to handle more weight, your skin needs to be in its best condition to carry makeup for hours. That means proper skin care and hydration (always!), especially when you’re puyat or running on little sleep, he advises.
Bernardo also stresses proper skin prep (cleanse, tone, and moisturize) as the foundation of hulas-proof makeup. “Ensure that every product placed should be given time to set,” she says.
Understanding your skin is key
Joseph Pascual
We’ve heard it from our experts: Hulas-proof makeup is totally achievable, but it’s less about hacks and more about understanding your skin, using the right products, and applying them with intention. With the right prep, product choices, and a bit of chemistry know-how, you can look fresh and feel confident, no matter how high the temperature rises.
Photographer: Joseph Pascual. Makeup artist: Chuchie Ledesma, assisted by Bianca Cordova. Hairstylist: Mong Amado. Stylist: Edlene Cabral. Model: Hazel of Luminary Models. Shot on location at Mutya ng Pasig Market and East Kapitolyo Drive. Special thanks to the Office of Pasig City Representative, Hon. Roman T. Romulo and the Office of the City Mayor of Pasig City, Hon. Vico Sotto.
