It’s the middle of September, but it still feels like July here in New Orleans. As someone who wears a full face of makeup every day, this weather is less than ideal, and the humidity is the cherry on top. Whether I’m cheering on the Green Wave football team, walking through A-quad to class, or meeting my friends for Beat-The-Clock night at The Boot, you’ll always catch me in full glam. While it’s always an option to give in to the heat and go makeup-free, full glam makes me feel confident and ready to conquer the day.
Here are five things I use to lock in my makeup for the day:
1. EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Broad Spectrum SPF 46
The most important step in any makeup routine starts before you even pull out the beauty blender. Protecting your face from the Louisiana sun is absolutely essential, no matter the time of year. I used to hate applying sunscreen to my face, because I always thought it would ruin the base of my makeup. Then I tried the EltaMD SPF 46. The tinted sunscreen leaves a sheer coverage that blends perfectly with any skin tone and contains niacinamide, which helps even out discoloration. The oil-free formula is specifically designed for acne-prone skin, and mixes nicely with an oil-free foundation for a sun-safe finish. The 1.7 oz bottle sits at $47 or $42.30 if you choose to subscribe and save.
2. COSRX Ceramide Skin Barrier Moisturizer
If I’m putting on a full face of makeup, the next step in my skincare routine after sunscreen is a lightweight, buildable moisturizer. The Ceramide Skin Barrier Moisturizer from COSRX feels so refreshing on the skin and always leaves a natural glow peeking through my makeup. Made for dry and sensitive skin, this formula leaves skin prepped and ready for glam without feeling too heavy. This moisturizer is not only perfect for daytime looks, but also works well as a night cream. The 2.70fl oz bottle is a reasonable $23 compared to rival products on the market.
3. Kylie Cosmetics Supple Glaze Hydrating Primer
Ever since I tried the Supple Glaze Hydrating Primer, I haven’t been able to skip this step in my makeup routine. As a winner of Allure’s Best of Beauty Awards 2026, the lightweight formula smoothes the skin and leaves your face ready for full glam. Since it’s a water-based product it leaves my makeup feeling hydrated, and blends well with my other skincare products before I apply foundation. The 1fl oz bottle can also be worn alone if you’re looking for a shine-controlled, fresh face.
4. Laura Mercier Ultra-Blur Talc-Free Longwearing Translucent Loose Setting Powder
After trying dozens of setting powders over the years, the Laura Mercier setting powder will always be my holy grail. My full beat stays in place from 9 AM in my journalism class to 2 AM at the sweaty Tulane frat parties. This loose long-wear setting powder is also a 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner! I use the shade Translucent, but if your skin has more of a red undertone, I recommend trying out the shade Mint! The light green may seem intimidating, but this lightweight powder will color-correct redness and leave your skin neutralized. Priced at $26 for the mini size and $48 for the standard size, this powder blurs your skin for up to 16 hours.
5. One Size On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray
My favorite step at the end of my makeup routine is setting it in place with my favorite setting spray. After trying what feels like a hundred different kinds, I can promise you that nothing comes close to the On ‘Til Dawn setting spray. Developed by makeup artist Patrick Starr, the setting spray keeps your full beat locked in for 16 hours straight. Whether it’s sweating in the Reilly Center or getting caught in a New Orleans rain shower, this product has never failed me. Formulated with green tea extract, the facial mist is statistically the #1 makeup product in the US.* This viral mist comes in a full-size $34 version and a travel-size $18 bottle.
