“In summer, you don’t wear a turtleneck”: a makeup artist reveals why your makeup runs with the heatwave
With the heat wave sweeping across France this May 2026, keeping a fresh complexion from morning to night is a real challenge. However, makeup artist Tommy Pierre, followed by over 500,000 subscribers on TikTok, shares concrete techniques for adapting makeup to the heatwave, and the results are worth the detour.
Why doesn’t makeup hold up as well in hot weather?
In hot weather, perspiration and humidity weaken all products applied to the skin. Foundation slips, concealer migrates, the complexion shines and the “cakey” effect sets in all too quickly. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
According to Tommy Pierre, the most common mistake is to apply as much product as in winter. In the heat, excess product moves quickly into fine lines, giving an unflattering result over time.
So the solution doesn’t necessarily lie in new products. Instead, it involves a different way of using them, by lightening textures and working on the skin in very thin layers.
The basic rule: adapt textures to the season
Tommy Pierre makes it clear in his video published on May 26, 2026 on TikTok: you don’t dress the same in winter as in summer, and the same reasoning applies to skin tone.
“In summer you don’t wear a turtleneck, why do you use the same makeup as in winter? It’ll never do.”
What’s more, he recommends letting each coat dry before applying a new one. This simple gesture is often overlooked, yet it dramatically improves hold.
The handkerchief and mattifying primer before all else
Before you even begin your routine, Tommy Pierre recommends blotting off any excess skincare with a clean handkerchief. Without this gesture, skin shines too quickly under the effect of heat.
Next comes the mattifying primer, which he doesn’t necessarily use the rest of the year. In hot weather, however, he finds that this step really helps set the complexion for longer.
For very oily skin, he suggests adding an ultra-light veil of powder over the primer. This extra layer further limits shine throughout the day.
- Blot up any excess care products with a clean tissue before applying anything else.
- Use a mattifying primer to set the complexion longer in the heat
- Apply foundation in very thin layers, using a fine brush or finger.
- Use concealer only on shadowy areas, in small quantities.
- Finish with a setting spray on a puff to limit shine.
Foundation and concealer: less is more
Foundation is often the first product to suffer in the heat. Tommy Pierre insists on this point: the thinner the layer, the longer the hold. It’s much better to build up coverage gradually than to apply a generous amount from the outset.
To avoid the mask effect, he recommends correcting only the areas that need it, with a fine brush or simply a finger. Similarly, for concealer, he abandons the large triangle under the eyes in favor of a small amount applied only to shadowy areas.
This precise gesture prevents the product from migrating with perspiration, which is one of the most common problems in hot weather.
Powder, blush, bronzer and setting spray: long-lasting allies
When powdering, Tommy Pierre targets specific areas: the sides of the nose, forehead and chin. He doesn’t cover the whole face, as too thick a veil of powder ends up clumping with perspiration.
As for blushes and bronzers, he advises against using cream textures in summer. Powder formulas are much more resistant to heat, and remain stable on the skin when temperatures climb above 30 or 35 degrees.
Her finishing tip: spray a little setting spray onto a puff, then apply a thin layer of powder to shine areas. This technique maintains a fresh, matte complexion, even on the hottest days of summer 2026.
With this approach, the makeup artist proves that a well-groomed look can withstand the heatwave, as long as you adjust your gestures and focus on lightness rather than quantity.
