Sandwich technique: makeup artists’ secret for a complexion that won’t budge even at 30°C
Making make-up last in the heat can be a challenge. However, a make-up artist’s secret is now circulating on social networks and promises to be a game-changer, even when the thermometer exceeds 30°C.
Why your complexion doesn’t hold up well in hot weather
Between perspiration, heat and going in and out of the air-conditioning, foundation tends to migrate, shine or fade over the hours. The skin reacts to temperature variations and produces more sebum. As a result, even make-up carefully applied in the morning can fade long before evening.
Adapting your beauty routine to the season is the first answer to this problem. We prefer a “skip care” approach, which involves limiting the number of product layers to avoid overloading the skin. In addition, light, gel-like textures are preferred to rich creams.
On the preparation side, a toning lotion with AHA or PHA can help to gently exfoliate and addradiance. In addition, mattifying bases targeted at the T-zone help limit shine. On the other hand, avoid glowy textures, which accentuate undesirable highlights from the very first hour of heat.
The key role of skin preparation
Well-prepared skin absorbs make-up better. As a result, foundation adheres better and resists external aggression longer. Without this step, even the best formulas struggle to hold up.
However, preparation alone is not always enough when temperatures really climb. Pro tips complement this basic work to guarantee a stable complexion all day long. That’s where a method shared by a professional make-up artist with over 400,000 followers on TikTok comes in.
The sandwich technique, make-up artists’ secret for setting the complexion
Charly Salvator, professional make-up artist to celebrities such as Marilou Berry, Sylvie Tellier and Nolwenn Leroy, revealed this method in a video published on June 2, 2026 on his TikTok account @charlysalvator. This make-up artist’s secret is based on a simple principle: trapping foundation between two coats of setting spray. It’s precisely this principle that has earned it the name “sandwich technique”.
According to Charly Salvator, this method enables products to bind better to the skin and improve their hold, even in very hot weather. The first layer of fixative spray is sprayed all over the face before any foundation is applied. The make-up artist then recommends using a brush to blend the spray into the skin.
“If you want a complexion that doesn’t budge, especially if it’s very hot with summer coming, you apply a setting spray all over your face.”
Then comes the foundation stage. Not all products are suitable for hot weather, and here lies part of the make-up artist’s secret, which Charly Salvator explains in detail. The choice of formula largely determines the success of the technique.
The makeup artist warns against overly rich formulas, which tend to make makeup run. Conversely, ultra-matte finishes are not suitable for all skin types, especially dry or mature skin, as they can leave marks. Charly Salvator recommends a balancing foundation, with a finish that is neither too glowy nor too matte, to better regulate the skin.
- Spray a first layer of fixative spray all over the face.
- Work the spray into the skin with a brush.
- Apply a balancing foundation, neither too oily nor ultra-matte.
- Spray a second coat of fixative spray over foundation.
- Allow the product to lock in the complexion between the two coats of fixative.
How to apply the step-by-step method
Once the foundation has been applied, the final step is to spray on a second layer of fixative spray. The foundation is thus sandwiched between the two applications of fixative. It’s this mechanism that, according to the make-up artist, makes all the difference to the complexion’s staying power in hot weather.
This final gesture seals in all make-up and reinforces the adhesion of products to the skin. It also creates a protective barrier against perspiration and heat. As a result, the result remains fresh and uniform well beyond the first hours of the day.
A pro tip to remember throughout the summer of 2026
This make-up artist’s secret is accessible to everyone, whatever their skin type or beauty budget. The sandwich technique requires just two products already found in many kits: a setting spray and a suitable foundation. So there’s no need to invest in new skincare products to achieve a long-lasting complexion this summer.
However, the choice of foundation remains central to this method. Charly Salvator insists on this point: a texture that is too oily or too mattifying can compromise the result, even with a well-applied setting spray. On the other hand, a balancing formula provides the ideal base for the technique to work to its full potential.
This make-up artist’s secret shared by Charly Salvator illustrates how simple, well-executed gestures can transform a summer beauty routine. The sandwich method has become a concrete and effective response to the challenges posed by the heat on complexion make-up. Many beauty enthusiasts are already making it their ally for the hottest days of summer 2026.
