It’s so hot that my hydrangeas are fainting in the backyard. The town seems almost vacant between the hours of noon and 4 p.m. every day. It looks like a ghost town, and I’m convinced everyone has just melted. Perhaps the smart ones are at the beach, the pool, or in Alaska.
Not me. I’m just peeling off layers of clothing hour by hour, sweating profusely in the 100-plus heat of the South, in between throwing the sprinkler on those hydrangeas and trying to convince my nervous Stella Poodle that this, too, shall pass.
It’s surefire hot! All the heat can wreak havoc on a lady’s glamour, so here are a few tips for sweltering stylishly. First, drink a lot of water throughout the day to keep hydrated. Also, don’t forget to hydrate the face, neck and hands. In fact, one of my mama’s tips is to store a cold washcloth straight from the freezer in a sandwich bag and then slip it into your favorite tote. It helps her keep her cool on hot car trips.
Of course, nowadays nothing beats the cooling effects of cucumber-infused moist wipes that come prepackaged and ready to travel with you. Most cosmetics companies now have their own versions of a facial spritz that just goes right on top of makeup for a refreshing, hydrating mini-facial on the go.
Next, on hot days reach for a tinted foundation instead of the usual heavier one. Some come with added SPF and antioxidants because, let’s face it, cutting down a few steps in the summer time is fabulous.
Another trick is to use an exfoliating scrub/cleanser combo at least twice a week in July and August to make sure you get all the crud out of your pores — sweat, makeup, more sweat. It might not be pretty to talk about, but we all know it’s true.
Follow with a cucumber-scented moisturizer for daytime such as Estee Lauder’s Daywear. At night, slather on a rich night cream and try one of those cooling eye masks kept in the fridge until you need it. Can we say amazing?
The hair should not be forsaken to the heat of summer either. Wear a hat whenever possible. Some hair-care companies now make sunscreen for the hair, believe it or not, and don’t always rinse that conditioner out of your hair. Why not give your hair a final cool rinse, which closes down the cuticle layer, trapping in the moisturizing ingredients from your conditioner and making the hair super shiny to boot.
Finally, get a good trim every few weeks along with a luxurious in-salon deep penetrating hair mask for no other reason than that you’re worth it.
I’m about to make myself a huge pitcher of iced cold water and maybe throw a few cucumber slices over my eyes under a shade in the yard. Now, if I could just convince Stella Poodle that fall will someday come again.
Former Columbus resident David Creel owns Beautiful With David salon in Jackson. Contact him at [email protected].
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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