How to Beat the Heat by Looking Cool

Look Cool And Beat The Heat

By Anna Hessel

In these “dog days” of August during this nationwide heatwave, it’s hard to not look wilted. The state of Arizona has had over a month of 110 degree days. So how to stay looking attractive and well groomed during humidity and extremely hot temperatures? Here are some helpful hints and tips:

1. Stay hydrated. Drink liquids, especially water, and minimize alcohol, which is drying, and caffeine, either in energy drinks, colas, or coffee, since it rushes fluids through and out of your body.
2. Use a clarifying shampoo, don’t over condition hair, and use a light volumizing mousse. Carry dry shampoo in your bag for touch ups.
3. Use a toner before applying base or foundation.
4. Use powder lightly to set make up, and consider a setting spray or perfecting primer base under foundation, etc.
5. Use water proof mascara and liners on your eyes, and keep shadow simple to avoid creasing.
6. Use moisturizing lip balm, lipstick, or gloss.
7. Less is more when it comes to accessories in the summer months. Metal jewelry can get hot and uncomfortable against the skin. Putting metal jewelry in the fridge before putting it on, however, can help cool you down, especially bracelets or necklaces.
8. Keeping toners, lotions, lipsticks, and sunburn creams in the refrigerator area is a great way to feel cooler and avoid products melting.
9. Remember to wear sunscreen. A BB or CC cream with SPF is a great alternative to a heavy foundation or concealer during these dog days of August.
10. Reapply deodorant/antiperspirant often – carry a small or travel size in your purse or pocket to make keeping up easier.
11. Choose light airy fragrances – try all over body sprays.
12. Moisturizing is important. Avoid ones with heavy oils, particularly mineral oil, but opt for a gel or water based lotion. Moisturizers should help maintain water content of your skin, not make you feel sticky.
13. Wear loose but not baggy clothes that flow away from the body. Cotton, linen, and sheer fabrics in light colors are best to beat the heat. Materials made to wick away water can help keep sweating wetting to a minimum.
14. Wear sandals or flip flops to avoid wearing socks. Of course, never ever wear socks with sandals – that’s not an attractive look on anyone, including grandpa.
15. Heavy large totes and purses can weigh you down in the heat, as can cross body bags, which could block heat from escaping where they rest against the skin. Choose smaller options when you can.
16. A dip in the pool or some aqua-cize is a great way to exercise during the high heat.
17. You are what you eat and in summer salads, fruits and lighter fare will keep you full and refreshed.
18. Avoid staying in a wet swimsuit en route home from the pool – or any where for that matter-it can be detrimental to your intimate health.
19. We all now know the dangers of talc in powders but corn starch or baking soda can be used to stay fresh.
20. Baking soda baths and moisturizing bubble baths in moderation go a long way to staying refreshed.
21. Increase your daily shower or bathing to more often, just blotting dry enough to not drip on the floor. Nothing feels better than clean skin. But keep the water temperature to lukewarm or tepid – all cold water might send your body into warm up mode.
22. Try a refreshing gel mask – watermelon is my favorite. Use an eye mask from the freezer also. I actually have gel filled plastic eye rounds with a watermelon motif on them for tired peepers.
23. Make your own beauty scrubs and masks. Recipes can be found online and at the end of this article.
24. Attractive hats can be worn to shade from the sun.
25. Carry a cold washcloth in a ziplock bag to cool down your neck and wrists.
26. Remember that heat opens pores, so astringents, deodorants, and perfumes can sting and burn when applied, so use caution.

Recipes for easy homemade skin care products:

Exfoliating scrub for dry, crepe skin or cellulite: mix equal parts sugar, table salt with enough olive oil to create a firm grainy texture that is still loose enough to rub over skin. Great for feet, hands, and lips also. Keep in the refrigerator.

Moisturizing face mask: mash an avocado with a small amount of olive oil or water. This can also be done with an over ripe banana, no need for oil or water in that case. Leave on for ten to twenty minutes, and rinse with cool water.

Outdated yogurt makes a great facemask but please not too outdated – do not use if it smells rancid or otherwise off. Apply to the face, avoiding the lips and eye area. Rinse off after ten to fifteen minutes.

In addition to enhancing drinking water, cucumber, lemons, limes, and orange juice are great additions to bathwater or for a refreshing face rinse, added to water.

The age old boobs in ice water trick, women of a certain age can attest to, still applies. Soak them for as long as you can, about three to five minutes.

Cucumber slices on the eyes while laying down still depuff and cool off.

Stay refreshed and be fabulous all summer long…look cool, be cool.