"Freeze your foundation" – the most surprising tips from Bobbi Brown's makeup artist

Idan Bar Shalit doesn’t believe in shortcuts, but he does believe in smart tricks that make the difference between makeup that melts after an hour and makeup that stays flawless all day. His first tip sounds simple but is genius: Mix a few drops of serum with your foundation. “Especially serum with hyaluronic acid,” he explains, “it thins the foundation, provides lighter coverage, and adds moisture and glow to skin that dries out from the sun and air conditioning.”

His second tip is even more surprising: Keep your moisturizer and serum in the fridge. “It shrinks pores, calms redness, and cools us down a bit on hot summer days,” he says. Sounds like a home spa, but it’s actually pure science—the cold contracts the pores and creates a smoother base for foundation.

His third trick solves a problem we all know: Mascara that smudges on humid days. Instead of fussing with waterproof mascara, Idan recommends something entirely different: “Dab a long-wear eyeshadow along the upper lash line with a small brush—it gives a perfect look without the risk of smudging.” It may look like an extra step, but it actually saves time and stress.

The fourth tip focuses on body glow: “Glossy lips and radiant skin pair beautifully with a touch of shimmer on the shoulders or collarbones,” he explains. You can use a moisturizer enriched with crushed pearls or simply a powder shimmer. It elevates the whole look to something more festive and polished.

The fifth tip is about blush durability: “For all-day blush, start with a cream blush and layer powder blush over it—that way it lasts and lasts and lasts.” It may sound like double the work, but the result is blush that doesn’t budge even after a full day in the heat.

Anyone living in Israel knows that our summer is no joke. “Here in Israel’s hot and humid summer, it’s important to understand that skin and makeup behave differently,” Idan explains. “The air is saturated with humidity, sweat, the constant transition from air-conditioned places to scorching sun—all of these don’t do makeup any favors.”

His first solution is to pre-empt the humidity. “The humidity in Israel can cause makeup to slide or break down. A great solution is to use a primer that already contains moisture—this way, our skin stays hydrated and the primer helps the makeup stay put.” It’s like giving your skin what it needs before it starts to rebel.

When it comes to the beach, Idan is serious: “Yes, there are ways to wear makeup even when you go in the water—with waterproof cream eyeshadows that are easy to apply with your fingers and don’t look too heavy.” He recommends choosing shades that match your skin tone and look natural and effortless.

For oily skin, he has a special fix: “For clients with oily skin, I recommend lightly applying some powder to the T-zone before putting on foundation. That way, the makeup lasts longer and shine is controlled.” It’s the opposite of what we thought we knew—but it works.

Idan sees three major trends coming this summer. The first is shiny pastels with a new twist: “Pastels are back—but not in the matte finish of the past. Now it’s all about glossy, shiny, or creamy finishes. Lavender purple, peach, cool pink—on the lips or even the cheeks—give a youthful and radiant look, even with a minimalist vibe.”

The second trend focuses on radiant skin that looks like real skin, not like foundation: “Instead of overly shiny ‘glow,’ we’re seeing a return to natural skin with soft, almost invisible illumination. The products are tints, tinted serums, and creams with a satin finish that give a look of ‘light from within.’”

The third trend is the use of multi-tasking products: “The trend is to reduce the number of products in your makeup bag—like a lipstick that’s also a blush, or a tinted moisturizer that provides both hydration and an even skin tone. It’s perfect for the Israeli lifestyle—light, fast, on the go.”

“Powder before foundation,” Idan says with full confidence, “is the tip that always surprises.” He explains that contrary to what we think, a light layer of powder before foundation can create a more stable and long-lasting base. “And if you’re looking for a radiant, unforgettable look, you can apply highlighter before foundation—the whole foundation looks lit from within.” It sounds the opposite of everything we’ve been taught, but Idan explains that the light powder “grabs” the foundation and helps it stick better to the skin. The highlighter under the foundation creates a deep glow that shines through the makeup and looks much more natural than highlighter applied on top.

“A cheek and lip tint—like Photo Rouge style,” Idan says without hesitation. “It upgrades any look instantly.” He explains that a good tint can do the work of three different products—blush, lipstick, and a touch of color for the cheeks—and it stays on the skin even after everything else melts away.

This product is exactly what the Israeli summer demands: Something that works quickly, looks natural, and doesn’t break down in the heat. “You can take it to the beach, on a hike, to work—it works anywhere and in any situation,” he adds.

What runs through all of Idan Bar Shalit’s tips is the idea that summer makeup should work with nature, not against it. Instead of fighting humidity and heat, he suggests using them to enhance your look. Instead of heavy layers of foundation, he prefers lightweight textures that blend into the skin.

“The key is not just choosing long-lasting products but choosing textures that melt into the skin,” he concludes. “Tinted moisturizers, cream blushes, and gentle tints do wonders in the summer—and they look like natural skin, not a layer of makeup.”

This summer, instead of fighting the Israeli climate, maybe it’s time we learn to work with it. And with Idan Bar Shalit’s tricks, it becomes a lot easier—and more fun.