"It's hotter in Toronto than in Bangledesh right now, and it's high summer there," commented the nice driver of the cab I hopped into earlier today (frozen stuff; no choice but to cab home). "My wife had a big meeting at work, but she didn't know if she should wear makeup today -- she takes the subway," he added. So what did I do? I wrote down a basic, a hot-weather makeup prescription for Mr. Driver's wife, Charmin. It might work for you, too – maybe tomorrow:

1) Primer -- a lightweight formula so skin won't feel suffocated. Cover FX Illuminating Primer ($44 CAd at sephora.com) brightens dull skin; Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment ($44 CAd at sephora.com) tempers shine, and contains willow bark extract and salicylic acid to help clear congested skin.

2) Concealer – a high-pigment, long-lasting formula that covers with only a little bit of product. UPDATE: This Cover FX concealer has been discontinued, but worry not – Tarte's 2016 Rainforest of the Sea Aquacealer Concealer ($31 CAd at sephora.com) is a good, full-coverage option. Also brilliant for its stay-put ability is Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer Kit ($35 USd at nordstrom.com), a corrector/concealer duo that allows you to customize the shade.

3) Eye liner -- waterproof. If you have thick, dark lashes, you can skip liner (just know that I'm super jealous). Otherwise, try YSL Dessign du Regard Waterproof Eye Pencil ($33 CAd at sephora.com), or Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner ($19 CAd at sephora.com), which comes in a great range of shades including Blue Ribbon (navy shimmer) and Peacock (turquoise shimmer). If you like liquid, try Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner Waterproof Liquid Liner ($28 CAd at sephora.com), which has an excellent fine tip for precision application. (Oh, five more great pencil liners here.)

4) Mascara -- tube-technology. I continue to rave about Clinique Lash Power ($23 CAd at sephora.com); Lise Watier 24 Hrs Glam Mascara ($25 at lisewatier.com) is another good tube-technology formula, impervious to oily and/or sweaty lids.

5) Blush -- cheek stain. Not only can you use cheek stain on lips too, it's weightless on skin and meltproof. Favourites include Benefit Cha Cha Tint or Benetint ($39 CAd each at sephora.com). UPDATE: The Body Shop Tailored Cheek Tint has been discontinued, but oh my, have you seen the new Lip & Cheek Stain ($16 CAd at thebodyshop.com) in nine amazing shades?

6) Powder -- translucent. Tried and true, won't cake up and won't give you white-powder-face in photos: Cover FX Blotting Powder ($28 CAd at sephora.com) and MAC Blot Powder Pressed ($26 USd at nordstrom.com). "Powder only forehead, nose and chin," says celeb makeup artist David Goveia, so you don't look like you're wearing a matte mask.

7) Lips -- gloss. Honestly, gloss is just easy to slick on without looking. Even I don't want to mess with lipstick in this heat (plus, I don't want it to melt in my purse). Rimmel Stay Glossy 3D Lip Gloss ($4.99 USd at ulta.com) is fun, inexpensive, and promises to stay put for up to six hours.

8) Fixing spray -- really. I expected Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix  Setting Spray ($36 CAd at sephora.com) to feel like a spray-on coat of silicone, but it doesn't. It feels like... nothing, and it helped my face hold up to today's hella humidity. Urban Decay has similar spray (two, actually) in a purse size ($17 CAd at sephora.com).

There are waterproof eye shadows and bronzers and highlighters etc., but in temperatures like this, the less stuff on your face the better.

What's your favourite melty-weather makeup item or technique?

The Canadians? Cover FX and Lise Watier; David Goveia is a Toronto-based hair and makeup artist (who has worked with Kiera Knightly, Christina Ricci, and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen).