Can we talk about summer for a second? Because between the heat, the humidity, the pool days, and honestly just sweating more in general, I get so many questions this time of year about whether treatments are going to hold up. Lash lifts, eyebrow lamination, microblading, ombre brows, permanent eyeliner… the investment is real, and the last thing you want is to watch it fade faster than it should because of a few pool days. So let me give you my honest, practical tips on how to protect your lash lift in summer, and everything else while we’re at it.
How to Protect Your Lash Lift and Tint in Summer
Let’s start here because this is probably the question I get most often once the weather warms up. The short answer is that chlorine and salt water are not your lashes’ best friends, but they’re also not going to ruin your results if you’re a little mindful about it.
The single best thing you can do is rinse your lashes with fresh water immediately after swimming. This removes chlorine or salt residue before it has a chance to sit on your lashes for hours, which is when the real damage can happen. A quick rinse at the outdoor shower before you grab your towel is genuinely one of the easiest habits you can build this summer.
The other one is this: try not to rub your eyes after a swim. I know that’s easier said than done when chlorine is stinging, but rubbing creates friction on the lashes that can disrupt the lift over time. A gentle pat dry is all you need. It sounds small but it makes a real difference in how long your lash lift and lash tint stay looking their best.
One more thing worth mentioning: oil-based products around the eye area can break down the lash lift solution over time, so if you’re wearing sunscreen on your face this summer, and you absolutely should be, just be mindful of keeping oily formulas away from your lash line. A lightweight, non-oily SPF around the eye area is your best bet.
Summer Eyebrow Lamination Care: What You Need to Know
Eyebrow lamination and summer humidity is a combination that I want to address directly, because humidity is actually one of the trickier factors for this treatment. Moisture in the air can soften that lifted, groomed shape over time, which is why a little extra attention during the warmer months goes a long way.
The main thing I tell clients is to avoid touching or brushing your brows throughout the day as much as possible. Your hands transfer oils and moisture onto the brow hairs, and in a humid environment that adds up quickly. If you’re someone who sweats during workouts or outdoor activities, a quick brush back into place once you’re done is usually all it takes to keep things looking neat.
Keeping a small spoolie in your bag during the summer months is genuinely one of my top tips for eyebrow lamination maintenance. Thirty seconds of brushing your brows back into shape after a sweaty spin class or a day at the beach is the difference between looking polished and looking like your brows have had their own adventure.
It is also worth noting that if your brows are looking a little less defined in terms of color as the season goes on, an eyebrow tint or an eyebrow color boost is a quick and easy refresh. Summer sun and outdoor time can gently fade brow tint faster than you’d expect, and coming in for a color boost before it’s fully gone always gives more seamless, natural-looking results than waiting until it’s completely washed out.
How to Protect Permanent Makeup in Summer
This is the section I really want people to read carefully, because permanent makeup and summer have a specific relationship that I don’t think gets talked about enough. Here’s the honest truth: sun exposure is actually the biggest threat to your permanent makeup in summer, more than sweat, more than swimming, more than anything else.
UV rays accelerate pigment fading significantly. This applies to microblading,ombre powder brows, permanent eyeliner, and lip blush. The pigment sits in the upper layers of the skin, and repeated UV exposure breaks it down faster than your skin’s natural cell turnover would on its own. Keeping your permanent makeup protected with a physical SPF is honestly one of the most important things you can do to protect your investment all season long.
I want to be specific here: a physical or mineral sunscreen, meaning one with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients, sits on top of the skin and reflects UV rays rather than absorbing them. This is generally considered gentler on areas where pigment has been placed. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily, and that guidance absolutely extends to the brow and eye area where most permanent makeup lives.
Prolonged water exposure is the other factor worth being mindful of. A quick swim is generally fine, but if you’re spending hours in the pool or ocean, that extended time in the water can gradually soften pigment over time. It won’t ruin your permanent makeup in a single afternoon, but it is worth being aware of over the course of a whole summer season.
If anything starts looking like it’s fading faster than expected, please don’t wait until it’s fully gone to come in. A touch-up or color boost when there’s still some pigment present always gives better, more seamless results than starting essentially from scratch. Your eyebrow shaping appointment is also a great time to check in on how things are holding up and talk through whether a refresh makes sense.
A Few General Summer Treatment Tips
Before I wrap up I want to leave you with a few habits that apply across all of these treatments, because they’re simple and they genuinely make a difference.
Pat, don’t rub, any time your face gets wet this summer. Whether it’s after a swim, after washing your face, or after a sweaty workout, patting dry instead of rubbing is gentler on every treatment you have. Keep your skincare routine simple and gentle during the summer months in general, because heat and sun already put your skin through a lot and less is more when it comes to friction and active ingredients on treated areas.
And stay consistent with your SPF. The American Academy of Dermatology is clear that daily sun protection is the single most effective thing you can do for your skin long term, and it happens to be the single best thing you can do to protect your beauty investment at the same time. Two birds, one very good habit.
Summer Should Be Fun, Not Something You’re Managing Around
Here’s the thing: with a few small, simple habits, you really can enjoy every pool day, every beach trip, and every sweaty summer adventure without sacrificing your treatments. None of this is complicated. It’s just a matter of knowing what to pay attention to and building a couple of easy habits into your routine.
If anything is looking like it needs a refresh before your next trip or big summer event, we are here for you. Book your appointment and let’s make sure you’re going into the rest of the season looking and feeling your best. 🤍
