After yesterday’s post about the importance of good face primer, I received an email from a reader asking how to keep makeup on in humid, wet weather. 

Dear Belle,

I use primer everyday, but by the afternoon the humid Southern weather has created a layer of moisture on my cheeks.  I blot (of course), but it just removes the now liquidy makeup.  Any thoughts on how I can keep my makeup in place?

Casey

Back in my pageant days when dinosaurs roamed the earth and women still dressed up to go to the grocery store, I used a product called Model in a Bottle ($21) to shellac the makeup to my face. 

Just apply your makeup like normal, wait a few moments, and then spritz with 3-4 sprays of the product.  The light mist will set your makeup and give your face an enviable matte finish.  It’s probably the best way to keep your makeup from running away from you.

A small word of caution, however.  If you don’t like lavender scented products, you’ll want to avoid Model in a Bottle.  While the scent is by no means overpowering, I think the proximity to your nose makes the smell linger longer than lavender haters will like. 

Also, this should go without saying, but close your eyes before you spray.  You don’t want to risk permanent damage to your vision because you spritzed chemical into your eyes.  (You’d be surprised how many times this happened backstage at the pageant.  Then again, maybe not.)