It Hasn’t Stopped Raining. Here’s How to Stop Your Makeup Melting in it
Main image – Ajschokora/Stocksy
Not sure if anyone has noticed, but…it’s raining. A lot.
In fact, I heard on the news that, at the time of writing, there hasn’t been a single day this year when it hasn’t rained somewhere in England. Let that ‘sink’ in…
So while we all shake off our wellies and pray for a miracle, let’s discuss how to keep makeup in place during drizzly, blustery commutes and the seemingly never-ending tale of… winter.
Luckily, as a beauty editor of more than 18 years, it’s fair to say that I’ve tried more than my share of waterproof/weatherproof/budge-proof products. So, from makeup formulas to sturdy primers, here I share my favourite products to ditch that 2026 ‘damp and dishevelled’ makeup look and rock a presentable, long-lasting one instead.
After all, just because the weather’s malfunctioning, it doesn’t mean your makeup should too.
1. Unwavering skin
Dry winds, light rain showers and general winter ‘meh’ can make even the most promising of bases lose their shine. Enter e.l.f Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide (£11/$11) which, quite frankly, knocks all other primers I’ve tried out of the park. Its gel formula is slightly tacky on application, but whatever you apply over the top will stay all day and hold its glow. Plus it contains niacinamide for an extra bit of winter-skin TLC.
Image – Dior
Suffer from extra redness in the winter? Erborian CC Red Correct (£38/$46) works in real time to correct redness caused by cold winds and extreme temperature changes, all whilst also nourishing the skin. Or, if you’ve got oily skin and your makeup slides off at just a hint of running for a bus in wintery conditions, opt for a foundation stick like Dior Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick (£48/$57). It’s non-greasy and is thick enough to stay put but not cakey.
Combined with the e.l.f Power Grip Primer, it’ll be on until told otherwise.
Think of long-lasting face makeup as if it were a sandwich – your primer is the under-bread, your base, bronzer, highlighter and/or blush are the fillings and, next up, a setting spray is the bread on top.
Tropic Finishing Touch Makeup Setting Spray (£34) has loads of skincare benefits and promises to last for up to 16 hours. And Vieve Invisiveil Setting Spray (£29/$34) guarantees makeup perfection all day long. It’s my go-to for when I know I won’t have time for makeup touch ups.
2. Long-lasting lips
There’s no point in applying the perfect lip only for it to wear off when you finally reach the station, having battled through gale-force winds to get there. Invest in a product that’s actually going to stay put like Wonderskin Wonder Blading All-Day Lip Stain (£27/22). It lasts almost all day without needing to reapply. Yes really.
And Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil (£22/$24) makes for a fabulous, moisturising base colour – apply all over your lips, blot with a tissue, et voila! Whatever you apply over the top may wear off, but the lip oil shade will be there until bedtime.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush (£22/$25) is marketed mainly as a liquid blush but I love wearing it on my lips too. Much like with the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, it leaves a really lovely stain when blotted. So much so, that when I wear it on a night out, my lips still have a rosy finish to them the next morning.
3. Budge-free brows
There’s nothing worse than getting caught outside in dreary weather and arriving to work with only one remaining eyebrow. You need a brow product that is not only easy to use and gives good results but stays on all day too, whatever the weather.
Image – Refy
We love Refy Brow Sculpt (£20/$26) which is like cement, but in a good way – your brows will go nowhere until you choose to take them off. Browaid’s Browtox Lift & Lock (£19.50/$23) is also excellent at locking brows firmly in place.
And for brow colour, Wonderskin Wonder Blading Brow Stain & Go Masque (£19/$22) is easier to apply than an at-home tint plus it lasts for a whole two days.
4. Durable eyes
An eyeshadow primer is a non-negotiable for all seasons. Whether you’re sweating in the summer or dodging rain showers in the winter, it will literally grab onto your eyeshadow.
My favourite is Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (£22.50/$25) which, once you’ve left it to dry on your eyelids for 30 seconds, is a fail-safe primer for the eyes, particularly for those whose eyelids sag.
A waterproof mascara is also a must during the winter. And not just for those drizzly days either – for when it’s so cold, the water in your eyes decides to run a marathon.
Image – Estee Lauder
The best waterproof mascara I’ve ever tried is Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Waterproof Mascara (£31/$35). I’ve been known to shower in it and the mascara hasn’t budged.
Another good recommendation is L’Oreal Paris Volume Million Lash Waterproof Mascara (£11.99/$11.99) which is more budget friendly and fans lashes out really well.
5. Faithful face finishers
One single raindrop will create an unsightly line down your face if you’re wearing powder so, skip the powders and go for liquids and creams in gnarly weather.
The Refy Cream Blush (£18/$22) sinks into the skin for the long haul (and comes in the loveliest of shades), while Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush (£20.40/$25) means business when it comes to clinging (comfortably) to the skin.
The takeaway
It might be raining outside but now your makeup is officially looking on point. Oil/cream formulas are best for longevity whilst powders are a no-no. Don’t forget the ‘sandwich’ theory to ensure your face makeup doesn’t budge and invest in a really good waterproof mascara to avoid those dreaded rain-induced panda eyes.
Get Glowing!
