Planning a beach trip? Don’t let the sun and salty air mess with your beauty routine! I’m sharing the best beach makeup for vacation, along with tips and tricks to avoid everything from melting off. Learn how to beat humidity, get a healthy glow, and keep your routine simple so you can enjoy your vacation. As a bonus, I’ll also teach you easy application techniques and how to travel with makeup.
[UPDATED APRIL 2022]
Disclosure: Any tips or products shared are things I truly believe in. If you take action (ie make a purchase) after clicking one of the affiliate links, I’ll earn some money which helps me continue creating travel content for you. Thank you for your support!
Beach trips are my #1 favorite type of vacation. Ahhhh! It’s the ultimate relaxation. Unless… you’re also dealing with:
foundation melting off your face
mascara running down your cheeks
eyeliner running and burning in your eyes
If you’re wondering how to do beach makeup for vacation and what products to bring with you, let me help! Here’s what we’ll cover in this post:
- water and humidity-proof products (LOTS of options)
- easy application tips
- how to travel with makeup and avoid spills
- Your biggest questions answered (be sure to read to the bottom!)
Beach Makeup For Vacation: Why It Matters
It might be tempting to use your normal makeup on your vacation and not change a thing.
But beachy, coastal areas are typically hot and humid, and it’s windy near the water. So you’ll want to take that into consideration when planning what to pack. A little extra effort will make a big impact when it comes to planning out your beach makeup for vacation.
So… can you wear makeup at the beach? Is that even possible??? Yes! You don’t have to be a victim of the heat and humidity.
Working in the beauty industry for over 8 years, I’ve picked up a TON of helpful info. All you need are the right products and a few easy tips. Let’s get into it…
Beach Makeup For Vacation: The Must Haves
1. Moisturizer With SPF
It’s a no-brainer that you need SPF on a beach trip. Protect your skin girlfriend! Everyone wants to have a tan, but it’s easy to misjudge how much sun exposure you’re getting. Start your beach makeup routine with an SPF moisturizer – and if you’re skeptical you’ll ever find a sunscreen you actually like, I highly recommend checking out the limitless options from Supergoop. I promise you will be amazed at all the options. Two that have been go-tos for me over the years are their Play! Everyday sunscreen and Glowscreen. Looking for a full list of options? Check out my post the 16 Best Biodegradable and Reef Safe Sunscreens.
2. Gripping Makeup Primer
First things first, your primer is literally the foundation of your beach makeup and will help it last! You definitely want to look for something “gripping” that will adhere to your makeup like velcro. I love the Milk Hydro Grip because it’s oil-free, locks in makeup for 12 hours, and is hydrating and smoothing! It’s a wonderful primer and has even won the Allure Best of Beauty Award (for good reason). It gives you the prettiest healthy glow and works for all skin types. The packaging is airless, which is great for traveling and doesn’t spill. This one checks all the boxes for me.
3. Sweat and Humidity-Resistant Foundation
If you want to wear foundation as part of your beach makeup for vacation routine, there are definitely products out there that are formulated to withstand heat and moisture. Two I love personally and have seen work for tons of people are the Fenty Pro Filt’r and the Urban Decay All Nighter liquid foundations. The Fenty has a climate adaptive technology (so cool, right?) and the Urban Decay is totally waterproof. Both of these come in tons of shades, are full coverage, and are high perfomers for your beach day.
4. Tinted Moisturizer
If a full-coverage foundation isn’t your style for a beach day, a tinted moisturizer is a great option. Sometimes it’s nice to wear something more breathable and lightweight when it’s hot and sticky outside. A few formulas I love and highly recommend are the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue and Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint. Both of these look super natural, have SPF 30, and hydrate your skin with a healthy glow. In my book, these are beach makeup perfection! While not waterproof, they are easy to reapply as needed.
5. Waterproof Concealer
If you want to feel like you’re wearing nothing (but also have a little bit of coverage on your face), a waterproof concealer is the way to go. You can use it only where needed, and it’s the lightest-feeling option on your skin. Perfect for a beach day! If you want something truly indestructible, I would suggest the Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Waterproof concealer or Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Concealer. Both of these work surprisingly well, are long-lasting, and portable/easy to travel with.
6. Multi-tasking Lip & Cheek Stain
Beach makeup = simple makeup! If you want to avoid wearing anything heavy and like the idea of multi-tasking products, try a lip and cheek stain. This one from Milk Makeup is a quick and easy way to add color to your lips and cheeks (you can even pop a little on your eyelids!) To help it last even longer at the beach, layer a powder on top of the cream. I always travel with solid/stick makeup because it’s less messy, and the product itself will be more hydrating than a powder. And since the sun is drying, that’s a good thing! Here are a few other of my favorites: stick contour and luminizer – they’re great for beach makeup.
7. Waterproof Brow Product
You don’t want to take a dip in the ocean and come up without your eyebrows! Not all brow products are waterproof, but if there’s one that can stay on at the beach, it’s the Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade. This stuff is amazing! If you haven’t tried it before, it’s waterproof, ideal for humid climates, and a little bit goes a long way. I have showered with it on, done sweaty cardio sessions, worn it on a boat, at the beach… and the list goes on. It’s definitely a product you can count on to last for a long time despite the heat, sun, and salty air.
8. Waterproof or Long-Lasting Mascara
A long-lasting mascara is a must around water and humidity. Paired with a lash curler, it makes your eyes look bigger and more awake. Plus, you feel put together without much effort and won’t have that “raccoon eye” look. My top picks for a tropical vacation are Tarte Surfer Curl, Milk Makeup Kush Waterproof, and Ilia Limitless Lash. Wondering how to get them off at the end of the day? Saturate cotton pads with eye makeup remover and press onto your lash line for 60 seconds before gently swiping downwards.
9. Eyeliner That Lasts
If you want to wear eyeliner as part of your beach makeup for vacation, make sure you have a formula that lasts! Not all eyeliners are created equal, but here are a few that have proven to be totally waterproof and life-proof. I highly recommend the Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Eyeliner and Huda Beauty Life Liner. Just be sure to pack something to remove them at the end of the day so you aren’t tugging and pulling at your lids. I’ve been using the Sephora Collection Waterproof Eye Makeup remover for 5+ years and swear by it.
10. Tinted Lip Balm
Being exposed to sun and heat can dry out your lips, so a tinted lip balm is the perfect go-to. If you’re looking for something more lightweight and less messy than a traditional lipstick, you’ll love these! A few ingredients to look for are natural butters and oils (shea butter, coconut oil, etc.) and hyaluronic acid. Bonus points if you find one with SPF! Fresh Sugar Lip Balms are a go-to for me, and I also love the Tarte Jelly Glaze. Both of these formulas are juicy, hydrating and have a great flavor while also keep your lips looking hydrated and healthy.
11. Longwear Lipstick
If a lip balm isn’t really your style and you’re looking for more saturated color that lasts, I’ve got you covered! I suggest looking for a long-lasting liquid lipstick or stain. These formulas are the most resistant to smudging and smearing. For liquid lipstick, check out the Too Faced Melted and Smashbox Always On Longwear lipsticks. For a lighter feel (that really stays on), a stain like the Benefit Benetint is a great option.
12. Makeup Setting Spray
If there’s one item you buy for your trip, invest in a setting spray! Like hairspray for your face, setting sprays make your face sweat and budge-proof. Many even control oil! Apply at the very end of your beauty routine to lock in your look. They’re a game-changer! To apply, hold the bottle about 6-9 inches from your face, shut your eyes, and mist. Once it dries, you’re good to go. My top picks are Urban Decay All Nighter, Milk Makeup Hydro Grip and Rare Beauty Always An Optimist. It’s unbelievable how a good setting spray can transform the longevity of your makeup at the beach.
Beach Makeup For Vacation: Tips
Now that you have a list of essentials, let’s talk application technique. How you apply the products does make a difference, and can determine how long everything lasts on your face. Here are a few quick tips for beach makeup for vacation:
- Apply makeup primer using a patting motion (instead of swirling it around or rubbing it in)
- When shopping for beach makeup for vacation (and specifically waterproof products), embrace silicone! This ingredient is key in many formulas to give it that waterproof quality
- If you’re planning to get a tan and not sure your makeup will be dark enough, bring along a liquid bronzer like the Drunk Elephant D Bronzi. You can mix in to adjust your foundation to match! Looking for more info on tanning? Read more in my post How To Get A Tan: Everything You Need For Your Beach Vacay.
- Remember to hold setting sprays about 8-12 inches from your face when applying
- If you have lash extensions, avoid submerging into the water (or wear googles or a mask if you do!)
Beach Makeup For Vacation: FAQs
Should you wear makeup to the beach?
It’s personal preference! Just be sure to adapt your routine and use products that are waterproof (or water-resistant) and long-wearing.
Can you swim with makeup on?
You can, but even the best makeup often can’t withstand salt water! A few options would be to keep your head above water or just embrace the no-makeup/minimal makeup look.
What beauty products can I take on a plane?
- In your checked bags, you can pretty much take anything! My tip is to buy spill-proof bottles to save yourself from any messy mishaps.
- Follow the TSA “3-1-1” rule (liquids, gels and aerosols must be in 3.4 ounce or smaller containers that fit in a clear, 1 quart bag, with only 1 bag per passenger)
- Foundation, concealer, liquid eyeliner, nail polish, moisturizer, perfume and shampoo are all considered liquid for TSA purposes
How should I pack makeup for traveling?
A good rule of thumb is to “insulate” your beauty products. Wrap your compacts or palettes in a t-shirt for example. Or put your shampoo bottle (sealed of course!) into a shoe. You can also sandwich your beauty items in the middle of your luggage for added protection.
For more info on what to pack for a beach trip, read more in my post What To Pack For Florida: Essentials You’ll Need.
How can I make more room in my luggage?
Don’t have mini sizes of your beach makeup? No worries! I would recommend buying reusable travel-sized bottles for a quick fix. And remember, you don’t have to bring every piece of makeup you own! Look for multi-tasking or multi-purpose items to save space.
Beach Makeup For Vacation
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best beach vacation beauty essentials! If you’re craving more, here are a few similar posts I know you’ll like:
