Staying Hot In Heat
Summer is finally here, and many have found themselves on holiday or caught in local heat waves. Where I’m from, it has been unusually hot, making it difficult to go about my everyday routine. I find that this is the case especially when I have to go into work on the train, and all the effort I took into getting ready in the morning was a waste. Therefore, over the past couple of sauna-like days, I have
devised a list of how to stay hot in the heat!
Hydration
The obvious one, of course, is remaining hydrated throughout the day. With the temperatures rising and our schedules only getting busier, it is easy to forget to drink enough water during the day. I aim for at least 2 litres of water every day, as well as a vitamin water to ensure my body is getting enough nutrients. I also ensure I pack my water bottle with ice to motivate me to drink more, as it cools me down. This season is the time for investing in stainless steal water bottles. I purchased a Frank Green water bottle that keeps my water cold all day. Other brands like Stanley and Hydroflask are also great at ensuring the ice takes hours to melt.
Lighter Eating
There is nothing worse than feeling overly full on a hot day. When the weather is warm, I try to stick to smaller meals that won’t full me up too much more frequently in the day. Therefore, instead of eating three big meals, I try to have 5 lighter meals so that I don’t feel bloated and overindulged. Some of the things I have been eating recently are kale salads, super smoothies, salmon and scrambled eggs etc. There is always great inspiration online.
Bare face
This is no time for foundation! With this heat, any heavy, full-coverage makeup will end up melting off your face and becoming patchy. Try sticking to powder products and wearing as little makeup as you feel necessary. In summer, I normally stick to light bronzer, bow gel, blush and mascara. And if you want to wear your usual full coverage, ensure that you invest in a quality setting spray to avoid resembling your ice cream cone!
SPF
I know we have heard it all before, but seriously, with the UV this high, we cannot afford to risk our skin. Ensure that you have incorporated SPF into your skincare routine and top up throughout the day if necessary. I have also invested in a hat when I am lying in the sun for too long to make sure that my face is fully protected. Finally, you cannot forget those sunnies! The sun and our skin are not friends. High UV can cause wrinkles and markings, which can lead to much worse conditions. Make sure you are protected this summer because your tan will fade, but the wrinkles will stay forever!
Facemasks
While sweat is good for clearing our pores, sweating for too long and not rinsing our faces can lead to breakouts and irritation. During these hot times, I always get home and rinse my face off and do a cooling sheet mask to refresh my skin and avoid an uncomfortable break out. However, doing a face mask every day is not beneficial. During the summer, try doing facemasks 2-4 times a week, but ensure that you are cleansing your face every night to get rid of the sweat residue.
Styling your hair
Honestly, in this heat, I have no patience for straighteners and hairdryers. I usually hop out the shower, give my hair some treatment and let it dry naturally. For me, this is hard because my hair doubles in volume in the heat, making it hard to maintain. If you relate to this, it is probably best to invest in a light hair oil to control the frizz. I also try to keep my hair up to feel cooler. Even if it is a messy bun or pony, it adds to that cool girl summer look.
Morning and Evening Activities
It is so much cooler before mid-morning sun hits its peak. As it started to get hot, I found it harder and harder to do my daily exercise. Even though my gym has air conditioning, I found it hard to even simply get there, as movement of any kind just made me break out in a sweat. However, I started going on long walks just as the sun was about it set, which made me feel so much better. Not only did it allow me to walk off my dinner, it also enabled me to get my steps up for the day and not feel bad about the fact that I had simply just lain in the sun all day. Additionally, I have found that an early morning run can make you feel so much more productive. Doing exercise in the morning can really help you get in a good headspace for the day.
This summer is all about feeling hot and the best way to look good is to feel good. Ensure that you are looking after yourself this summer and doing what makes you feel the most confident!