Expert tips on creating a melt-proof, shine-free makeup look for summer

You know how your makeup looks perfect when you leave the house, but takes a turn for the worse once you step out in the Southeast Missouri heat and humidity? We've got a solution (or at least, we know people who do). Anne Hudson, a Cape Girardeau makeup artist, and Connie Dement, senior education consultant manager at Sephora, shared their best tips for staying fresh and pretty all summer long:

Preparation

Your face provides the best palette for makeup when it's properly cleansed, exfoliated and moisturized, says Hudson. In the summer, look for a deep-cleansing foam or a cleanser with gentle exfoliating beads, which will help astringe oil and slough away dead skin cells -- Dement's favorites are Philosophy's Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash and Shiseido Ibuki Purifying Cleanser.

You also need to moisturize in the summer, even if you have oily skin: "If you don't moisturize, it tricks your skin into making more oil" to make up for lost moisture, Dement explains. In fact, you can even use a beauty oil to prevent more oil from forming -- try a few drops of Josie Maran Argan Oil on your face, or Dr. Jart Ceramidin Liquid, a moisturizing serum.

"Moisture is absolutely crucial in summer to keep skin looking healthy," adds Hudson. "Moisturizing is not just about keeping moisture in, but keeping skin healthy, fresh, young and vibrant."

If you're not already using an SPF, be sure to use one in summer -- at least 15 SPF, says Hudson.

Technique

"The key during summer is less is more," says Hudson. "You don't want to have tons of makeup on your face because it doesn't look healthy, and it can create other problems on your skin when you're outside sweating in the sun."

Instead of a heavy, full-coverage foundation, switch to a lightweight BB cream, CC cream or tinted moisturizer, which will give some coverage without the weight of a foundation. BB and CC creams have additional benefits like sunscreen and anti-aging and mattifying qualities. Mineral powder foundations are another lightweight option for summer.

As for eyes, you may want to switch to a waterproof or smudgeproof mascara for summer. One of Dement's favorite summer items is Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat -- with this product, you can use the mascara you normally use, then add a waterproof topcoat to give it more staying power.

To avoid those annoying creases in your eye shadow during a long day, sweep a primer over your lids before applying eye shadow. Urban Decay's Potion Primer is "superb" for keeping eye makeup in place all day, as is Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Eye Base, says Hudson.

For lips, switch out heavy or matte lipsticks for a lightweight lip balm or gloss -- bonus points if it has SPF. Dement says Tarte Lip Tints and Bite Beauty Lush Lip Tints are always big sellers at Sephora in summer.

Touch-ups

Setting sprays can keep you looking nice and fresh throughout the day, and finishing powders will keep your face looking soft and not so shiny, says Hudson. For touch-ups, she recommends using blotting powders and blotting papers as needed.

"A blotting powder will absorb oil and shine," she says. "You don't want to use really heavy, cakey powders in the summer. Instead of an allover fresh look, they end up looking cakey and sitting on top of what you've already applied."