When temperatures rise and the humidity feels relentless, keeping your makeup in place becomes a real challenge—especially if you’re over 50 with skin that’s changing year by year. But as Dawn Pfingsten from Just Doing My Best shares, it’s not only possible to have long-lasting, beautiful makeup in the summer heat—it’s actually easier than most women think.
Dawn, 57, proudly embraces her oily skin and life in the Southern heat, where humidity levels can easily hit 80–85% from June through September. Her goal? Helping women over 40, 50, and beyond look and feel beautiful without spending a fortune. In one of her latest videos, she breaks down her sweatproof makeup strategy in a few simple steps—and introduces a game-changing tip that’s perfect for outdoor weddings, summer concerts, or any event where your makeup needs to go the distance.
The Foundation of Long-Lasting Makeup: Setting Spray
Before reaching for any foundation, concealer, or powder, Dawn stresses the importance of starting with a clean setting spray. Yes—before your makeup.
Think of it as priming your canvas. A good setting spray preps your skin, helps makeup adhere better, and keeps it from sliding off when you’re sweating or dealing with summer humidity. Dawn recommends starting with a cleaner, hydrating spray—especially for more mature skin. Her go-to picks include:
- ColourPop Pretty Fresh Setting Spray – Affordable, lightweight, and packed with skin-friendly ingredients like peptides and niacinamide to hydrate and plump.
- Face Hack by Frack Beauty – A clean and gentle option that works especially well for sensitive skin.
If you’re heading into a long day outdoors or live in a hot climate, don’t skip this step. Spritz your face with one of these setting sprays before any makeup application for a longer-lasting finish.
Dawn’s Game-Changing “Sandwich” Method
Here’s the tip that really sets her approach apart. After applying your cream makeup—foundation, concealer, cream blush, etc.—you’ll want to “lock it in” with a technique Dawn calls the sandwich method.
It’s simple:
- Grab a damp makeup sponge.
- Spray the sponge with a stronger, longer-wear setting spray.
- Milani Make It Last Original – Affordable and alcohol-based, making it ideal for oily skin.
- Tirtir Mask Fit Makeup Fixer – A Korean skincare favorite that’s waterproof, transfer-proof, and incredibly durable (perfect for big events).
- Lightly bounce the sponge all over your face.
This technique not only sets the makeup but also blends any excess product, giving you a smooth, flawless finish that resists melting and fading throughout the day.
Pro Tips for Staying Power
- Skip the mascara—at first. Dawn waits until the end of her routine to apply mascara. Spraying over your lashes can make them stick together, so it’s best to do mascara after your final setting spray.
- Use a tubing mascara. Unlike traditional waterproof mascaras that can be drying and tough to remove, tubing mascaras stay in place all day but wash off easily with soap and water. They’re a gentle, heat-hardy option for summer.
- Set your lip liner. Apply your lip liner before your final spray to help it stay put longer. Dawn’s current favorite gloss? Milani Keep It Full Glossy Plumping Balm in shades like Ribbon and Ballet—perfect for a soft, polished summer look.
Which Spray Is Best for You?
Dawn emphasizes that Tirtir Mask Fit Makeup Fixer is ideal for all-day wear, especially at events. However, it’s a heavy-duty formula that may feel too intense for daily use. For regular wear, especially for those with oily or mature skin, she leans toward one of the other three: ColourPop, Frack Beauty, or Milani, depending on your budget and skin type.
Make The Most Out of Summer Make-Up
Makeup that melts away in the summer sun doesn’t have to be your reality. With the right prep, a smart setting spray strategy, and a few expert techniques, your look can stay fresh from morning coffee to evening fireworks.
Dawn’s practical advice isn’t about perfection—it’s about feeling confident, showing up for yourself, and doing your best at any age. Want to see the products she recommends? You can find them all and more tips on her website: JustDoingMyBest.com and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
Because makeup shouldn’t just work in the air conditioning—it should work in real life, too.
