Instant summer body confidence
Two months of heat and humidity and the “can’t wait
for summer” excitement we had in May easily transforms into “it’s too hot out” crabbiness. And it doesn’t just affect our mood.
Sidestep sweat stains
When temperatures soar, it seems no matter how much antiperspirant we apply, we’re still left with sweat stains on our clothes. The secret dermatologists tell their patients? Use an antiperspirant that contains 15% aluminum chloride (like Dr. Sweat Clinical Strength Antiperspirant Deodorant Pads, Amazon.com) just once a week. “The compound absorbs into skin and forms a ‘plug’ in glands to limit perspiration, and the higher concentration ensures sweat won’t seep through,” says New York City dermatologist Marina Peredo, M.D. Use just once a week (at night, when sweat glands are less active, giving ingredients more time to penetrate), and you’ll be sweat-free for seven days!
On-the-go fix: Toss deodorizing wipes like Dove Deodorant Wipes Cucumber and Green Tea (CVS.com) in your bag and swipe on if you feel sweaty or smelly for fresh in a flash.
Tame frizzy hair
Too much time in the sun can leave our locks superdry, causing them to self-hydrate by grabbing moisture from humid air. This then swells strands for a frizzy mess, says hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein, who’s worked with Sofía Vergara and Kate Bosworth. Her solution: Use the heat to your advantage by doing an argan oil treatment before going outside. The fatty acid–packed oil rehydrates parched hair so it won’t seek out strandswelling moisture, and the sun’s warmth opens hair’s cuticle, allowing the oil’s nourishing compounds to penetrate better. To do: Rub a nickel-size amount of argan oil (like SheaMoisture 100% Pure Argan Oil, Target.com) on hair from the ears down, place hair in a bun and enjoy some time in the sun. Repeat twice a week for soft, frizz-free tresses within two weeks.
On-the-go fix: Place some dryer sheets in your bag and rub one on frizzy hair. Its surfactants and oils coat strands, lightly weighing hair down to smooth it fast.
All that time under the sun and in hot, humid air takes a toll on our skin, hair and clothes too! So we asked top beauty and fashion pros for their simple solutions to preventing (and reversing!) bothers for a sunnier you the rest of the season
Keep clothing wrinkle-free
We rely on breezy silk, linen and cotton fabrics to keep us cool on extra-hot days—it’s too bad these lightweight materials tend to wrinkle so easily. To prevent creases from forming, spritz clothes with a de-wrinkling spray like Downy Wrinkle Releaser Spray (Walgreens.com) before heading out, says celebrity stylist Samantha Brown, who’s worked with stars like Candice Bergen and Jennifer Nettles. Dimethicone, a silicone-based compound in the spritz, relaxes fabric fibers to smooth wrinkles and creates a barrier over clothing so it’s less likely to become creased. Simply mist (to dampen, not soak) onto fabric and give it about 5 minutes to dry.
On-the-go fix: For some added wrinkle-free insurance while you’re out, tote along the brand’s travel-size bottle and use it for touch-ups as needed.