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How to apply makeup that can withstand the heat

Layer products to make them last. Also, setting sprays are your friend.

Eau Thermale Avène Thermal Spring Water and the Essence All About Matt! Fixing Compact Powder.
Eau Thermale Avène Thermal Spring Water and the Essence All About Matt! Fixing Compact Powder.Read moreALISON SMITH / Staff

I was on my way to work one day during last week's heat wave when the conductor announced that there was a disabled train stuck in the tunnel in front of us and that anyone who didn't want to wait "a good long while" might want to consider getting off at 30th Street Station and seek other methods of transportation.

It was, as previously stated, very, very hot outside, and the air-conditioning was working surprisingly well on my train, so I was pretty tempted to stay put and read a little more of my book. But I had a meeting first thing, so I stepped off into the heat.

I thought I might get on the El, but it seems everyone had the same thought. So I thought perhaps I'd get a cab, but everyone who wasn't taking the El was trying to get a cab.

I started walking. (Did I mention that it was hot?)

I was a sweaty mess by the time I arrived at work. But my makeup? It was still in place and still looked good.

Here's how to apply makeup that can withstand the heat.

Start with a primer. I'm loving the Milk Makeup Blur Stick, $36 at Sephora, which serves up the wondrous one-two punch of magically making all of my wrinkles less noticeable and making my makeup last longer, even in the heat.

Layer products to make them last. I love starting with a cream blush (try the Stila Convertible Color in Petunia, $25 at Sephora) and setting it with a powder blush (try the Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush in Pearlescent Pink, $2.99 at drugstores). Not only will the color be more intense, it will last all day. You can do the same with bronzer: Layer Benefit Cosmetics Dew the Hoola Soft Matte Liquid Bronzer, $28 at Sephora, under Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer, $29 at Sephora, for a faux glow that will last until long after the sun goes down.

Setting spray, setting spray, setting spray. No, seriously, these days I'm using three setting sprays. I start with e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set, $3 at drugstores, which moisturizes and helps flatten all the layers of makeup for a more realistic look. Once that has dried, I spray on NYX Professional Makeup Matte Finish Makeup Setting Spray, $7.99 at drugstores, which helps extend the life of your look and keeps things from getting shiny. Last, I spray on Milk Makeup Blur Spray, $38 at Sephora, which mattifies, sets my makeup look, and reduces the look of pores.

While I'm on the go in the heat, I like to keep two products on hand: Eau Thermale Avène Thermal Spring Water, $9 on Amazon, and Essence All About Matt! Fixing Compact Powder, $3.99 at Ulta. The Eau Thermale sprays the finest of mists and refreshes and cools without disturbing the makeup below. And on the off chance that I do get shiny, the powder instantly fixes that.

Alison Smith loves summer weather and isn't about to let the heat interfere with a good makeup day. Got a burning beauty question? Email asmith@philly.com.