A Makeup Artist’s Genius Mascara Hack Will Help You Avoid Racoon Eyes All Summer Long

Photo: Getty Images/Zave Smith
Just when you thought allergy season was over and you could finally (finally!) step outside in mascara without having to worry about raccoon rings under your eyes... summer weather set in. Between the humidity and the face sweat that are pretty much unavoidable during this time of year, your eye makeup doesn't stand a chance of lasting for more than 10 minutes after you step outside. And don't even get me started on days when you're planning on heading to the pool or the beach.

Thankfully, makeup artist Misha Shahzada has a genius hack to ensure that everything stays put, no matter how sweaty and gross your face gets in this heat. "In the humid summer months, I always avoid applying mascara to the lower lashes, and if applying liner too, the lower lid," says Shahzada. "It's best to keep the liner on the water line —only using waterproof liner, of course—which will help you avoid a smudgy mess." And obviously, you'll want to use a waterproof mascara, like Crunchi Lashes For Days ($28).

On extra-humid days, prep your lids with an eyeshadow primer—Shahzada is a fan of Marc Jacobs Undercover ($39)–before applying mascara and eyeshadow. The result? No drippy, droopy makeup in sight.

A few other ways to make your entire face of makeup survive even the hottest days of summer: Start with a primer, like Beauty Blender Selfie Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 38 Dry Oil Primer ($32), which comes with a layer of sun protection, then follow it up with a light coverage foundation. My personal favorite? Kosas Tinted Facial Oil ($42)(Seriously—I literally wrote a love letter dedicated to how head-over-heels I am with this stuff), which will even out skin tone but won't get cakey in the heat. And finally, finish things off with a setting spray, like Supergoop Defense Refresh Setting Mist ($28), which is made with—you guessed it!—SPF.

A look with sweat and makeup protection? Summer, here you come.

Now that your makeup is on lock, here's how to deal with your hair and skin in this humidity. 

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