Waterproof Makeup: Longwear Makeup You Could Swim In!

Discover how to make makeup waterproof and pass the dunk test with my waterproof makeup must-haves.

Darlings, waterproof makeup is the secret to looking flawless while you’re swimming, sweating, or getting caught in the rain! We’ve all experienced products that don’t hold up in wet weather, whether that’s a mascara that trickles down under the eyes, foundations that are easily splashed away, or brow pencils that smear and disappear. Make your makeup waterproof, darlings… The longevity and performance will blow your mind!

What is Waterproof Makeup & How Waterproof Is It Really?

Waterproof makeup is developed to withstand contact with water, whether that’s a drizzling of rain, a splash in the pool, or for high-performance formulas, being fully submerged in water! A lot of different makeup formulas from foundations and setting sprays to lip liners, eyeliners and mascaras can be described as waterproof, and all of them are designed to wear flawlessly when exposed to water. Waterproof makeup is designed for longevity, darlings, and my waterproof makeup must-haves like AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray are the secret to makeup that stays all day, rain or shine! Excessive contact with the elements will eventually cause all makeup to fade or dissipate, but a good waterproof makeup formula will stand up to the challenge far better than a water-resistant or non-waterproof option.

Bella Calm Bliss

Shop AIRbrush Flawless waterproof setting spray

What’s the Difference Between Water-Resistant and Waterproof Makeup?

Naturally, not all waterproof makeup is created equally. Water-resistant and waterproof makeup are essentially from the same category – both are designed to resist water – however, water-resistant makeup will do so to a lesser degree than a formula that’s described as entirely waterproof. If a formula is described as water-resistant, it may hold up against a quick rain shower or a small splash of water, whereas waterproof formulas are formulated to be longer wearing and even hardier against water.

How Do Waterproof Makeup Products Work?

The secret to waterproofing a makeup formula is infusing it with film-forming ingredients that create a water-wicking barrier when applied. Wearing waterproof makeup is like arming your makeup with an in-built shield against water. Waterproof makeup formulas prevent droplets from penetrating makeup and therefore protect against smearing, sliding and separating on the face. Wear waterproof makeup products and your look will have a magic barrier defending from water that may otherwise disrupt your makeup.

How To Make Your Foundation Waterproof

Darlings, foundation is the key to beauty confidence! Whether you are at Pilates or Paris Fashion Week, you should always be able to feel beauty confident in your own skin. On beach days or swim sessions where you know water poses a risk to your foundation or for those unexpected downpours as you step out of the taxi, waterproofing your foundation is a magic makeup step that’s non-negotiable in my makeup routine. Discover how to make your foundation waterproof with my AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray:

  1. Magic Cream application

    1. Prep + Prime

    Before applying any makeup, prepping and priming your skin will help with overall longevity. Start by massaging a rich moisturiser like Charlotte’s Magic Cream into your skin to create a hydrated, smooth-looking canvas for makeup, then apply a makeup primer like my Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer SPF50 to prime skin for makeup and create a super-flattering blurred finish. Then, mist a waterproof setting spray formula like AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray over your face to weightlessly prime skin for makeup.

    Discover more about makeup primer

  2. Unreal Skin application

    2. Blend + Layer

    Whether you prefer a full-coverage foundation like AIRbrush Flawless Foundation or a light-coverage option like Unreal Skin Foundation Stick, pair your foundation with a waterproof setting spray to give it long-lasting, waterproof hold. I like to work in light layers when applying foundation so I can customise the coverage and create a seamless-looking blend. If you want your foundation to be waterproof and to last as long as possible, I recommend applying a small amount of foundation and blending with the Hollywood Complexion Brush, then setting with setting spray to form a waterproof film between your layers of foundation. This way, you are creating a flawless mesh that individually waterproofs each layer of foundation.

    Discover my guide to foundation finishes

  3. Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray

    3. Set, Lock In + Waterproof

    Once your base looks airbrushed and flawless thanks to a soft-focus veil of AIRbrush Flawless Finish powder, it’s time to lock in your look with waterproof setting spray. Spray AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray over your face to help liquids and powders meld into your skin while also creating a waterproofing film that allows makeup to party all night with no water-damage in sight! My legendary formula is developed with Flawless Film Formers that act as an invisible shield, giving skin a flawless-looking waterproof finish that sets makeup into place for up to 16 hours!*

    Discover the differences between setting powder and setting spray

How can I waterproof my makeup for swimming?

Swimming can be hazardous for makeup that isn’t sufficiently waterproofed, darlings. To help prevent crashing waves or poolside splashes from disrupting your makeup, reach for waterproof makeup formulas that are up to the challenge. Create a subtle, minimal makeup look for the pool by adding a touch of waterproof mascara and defining your brows with a waterproof eyebrow pencil, or for full, pool party glam, reach for waterproof eyeliner and lip liner to dial up your look and waterproof your foundation with AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray. These waterproof makeup essentials will help your magical, mermaid makeup to last longer and survive a dip in the pool.

Discover Charlotte’s Waterproof Makeup Must-Haves

  1. Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is Charlotte's weightless, makeup-fixing mist that lets you party all night and stay all day

    AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray: Waterproof Setting Spray

    If you want your makeup to party all night and stay all day even when exposed to water, you need my AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray. My waterproof setting spray is the secret to long-lasting, flawless-looking makeup whether you’re caught in wet weather or posing at the pool. The formula is infused with Flawless Film Formers that create a magic mesh on top of makeup, helping to prevent water from penetrating your makeup look. Securing your makeup look with my legendary setting spray is like spraying on an invisible shield that makes your foundation and makeup, waterproof!

    Locks makeup into place for up to 16 hours*

    Shop AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray

  2. Lip Cheat Lip Liner in tawny rose shade Hot Gossip

    Lip Cheat: Waterproof Lip Liner

    Lip products are some of the first to fade, darlings, but you can extend the life of your signature lip combo with a waterproof lip liner like my Lip Cheat lip pencils. Formulated to last up to 6 hours without smearing, smudging or budging*, my Lip Cheats are the perfect waterproof base for lip gloss and lipstick to apply onto. Once the formula sets, your lip liner will hold up through drinking, dancing, and even dunking your face in water! I like to softly outline lips with Lip Cheat first for a reshaping and resizing effect, then I fill in the entire top and bottom lip for foolproof, waterproof lip colour that lasts!

    Lasts up to 6 HOURS with NO SMUDGING!*

    Shop Lip Cheat

  3. Brow Fix is Charlotte's clear sculpting gel for fixing brow hairs in place

    Brow Lift, Brow Cheat & Brow Fix: Waterproof Eyebrow Makeup

    To create super-sculpted, supermodel brows, reach for my waterproof eyebrow makeup essentials. I created my Brow Lift eyebrow pencil, Brow Cheat precision pencil and Brow Fix clear brow gel as waterproof formulas that lock in your brow look and deliver a long-lasting, sculpted-looking finish. Formulated to set down after 5 minutes and become waterproof, my eyebrow makeup system lets you define and fill in your brows to create a super-flattering, precisely arched brow shape that wicks away water and stays looking snatched!

    Waterproof after 5 minutes*

    Shop eyebrow makeup

  4. Rock N Kohl powder-kohl eyeliner pencil in Barbarella Brown

    Rock N Kohl Quick Kajal Eyeliner Pencil: Waterproof Eyeliner

    Tired of your eyeliner running and smudging, darlings? Using a waterproof eyeliner formula like my Rock N Kohl Quick Kajal Eyeliner Pencil could change the game for your eye makeup! Formulated to be smudge-proof for up to 28 hours** and waterproof, this new, enhanced kajal eyeliner has exceptional longevity in the waterline and along your lash line. I wanted to create a formula that gives you time to play and blends like a dream but then sets down and stays all day. If you have watery eyes, darlings, Rock N Kohl is the liner you’ve been looking for!

    Smudge-proof for up to 28 hours** + waterproof!

    Shop Rock N Kohl Quick Kajal Eyeliner Pencil

  5. The Feline Flick liquid eyeliner with a precise pen tip perfect for winged eyeliner

    The Feline Flick: Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

    Creating the perfect feline flick is always so satisfying, and the last thing you want is your hard work to go to waste! Protect your eyeliner look from fading and smudging by using a waterproof eyeliner formula with high performance and longevity. My Feline Flick eyeliner pen is a lacquered liquid eyeliner formula that makes it easier than ever to sketch out a graphic, lift-effect winged eyeliner look. The waterproof formula sets down to provide up to 12-hour wear***, helping your eyeliner to last longer and become hardy against water.

    Up to 12-HOUR WEAR!***

    Shop Feline Flick Liquid Eyeliner

What’s the best way to remove waterproof makeup?

Waterproof makeup is designed to not break down when coming into contact with water, so it can be more difficult to remove when washing your face with water and water-based cleansers alone. To effortlessly remove waterproof makeup, I recommend double cleansing using a makeup remover like Take It All Off or an oil-based cleanser that melts away longwearing, waterproof formulas, then performing a second cleanse with Charlotte’s Magic Hydration Revival Cleanser to give your complexion a refreshed and revived, makeup-free appearance.

Discover more about how to remove makeup

Darlings, now that you know how to make your makeup waterproof, you can rest assured that your makeup will look flawless on a wet weekend or a naughty night swim!

And darlings, if you want to put my waterproof makeup to the test… Try your own dunk test! Tag me on Instagram @CharlotteTilbury – I’d love to see your AIRbrush Flawless waterproof makeup looks in action!

Discover my guide to beach day makeup

Discover sweatproof and humidity-proof makeup

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*Tested on 30 people

**Lasts up to 28 hours on the eyelid and up to 10 hours on the waterline. Tested on 33 people

***Tested on 33 people

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Author Details

Charlotte Tilbury

Founder, President, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty

With over 30 years experience, Charlotte Tilbury MBE is the world's number 1 makeup artist and British beauty entrepreneur. Charlotte established Charlotte Tilbury Beauty in 2013, which is now a record-breaking beauty brand that has won over 400 awards.

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