The latest trends, techniques, and insider secrets—revealed.

The Heat Is On
Melting makeup? Frizzy hair? The agony of ingrowns in unmentionable places? Check out our complete guide to beating the heat.
By Erin Roop

For most women, the arrival of summer is something of a double-edged sword. There are, of course, the familiar warm-weather perks (leisurely days spent lounging poolside while cute waiters shower you with drinks and attention), along with a few dreaded downsides (renegade makeup, your new frizz-fabulous ’do, and the tortures of bikini-line hair removal). In an effort to make the dog days of summer a bit more carefree, we grilled the experts—leading makeup artists, hairstylists, and skin-care gurus—for their tips on how to look cool when temperatures rise. So kick back, sip that mai tai, and learn their secrets for beating the heat.

Best Face Forward
It’s a given that every summer goddess should invest in a broad-spectrum sunscreen (the higher the SPF, the better). But other skin-care products, such as those containing vitamin A (retinoids), should get a seasonal hiatus. “Vitamin A can make skin more sensitive to the sun’s rays, so for the summer, switch to vitamin C–based SPF products,” suggests Joyce Carboni, aesthetician and founder of the Skinsational Spa in Carlsbad, California. Although vitamin C is not, in itself, a sunscreen, when combined with one, the two pack a powerful punch—serving as a barrier to UV rays and protecting against free-radical damage. In the event that you do forget your sunscreen, you can soothe a sunburn with an inexpensive ingredient that’s right in your fridge. “The fat content of milk soothes the skin and facilitates the healing process,” explains Carboni, who recommends soaking a soft cloth in cool whole milk and pressing it lightly on sunburned areas. Other frugal post-burn wonders include vinegar, witch hazel, and aloe.

Summer sweat can also wreak havoc on skin, and to counteract its effects, Carboni offers another DIY tip: “Make a revitalizing mask by mashing up eight strawberries and folding in three tablespoons of honey. Spread it on your skin, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse. It will help clean pores and absorb excess oils, leaving you with a clear, glowing complexion.” If you do develop a blemish (it’s bound to happen sometime), Meredith Boyd, makeup artist and founder of Mere Cosmetics, recommends “dabbing a bit of Visine on the zit to take the red out before you apply your foundation and concealer.” Losing the battle against shine and melting makeup? Try a multipronged attack of a mattifying primer, an oil-free-foundation, and loose translucent powder. “They’re your best line of defense,” says Boyd, who adds that pressed-powder compacts are “filled with waxes and fillers that encourage shine and frequent touch-ups.” As such, she recommends setting your foundation generously with loose powder and blotting with a tissue during the day: “You’ll never have to pull out that pressed compact again.”

Hassle-Free Hair
No matter what kind of hair you have, the heat of the summer will most likely leave it looking frizzy, limp, or otherwise unacceptable. But fortunately, there are some tricks of the trade to help keep your mane more manageable. “Start the summer with a good cut,” says Carol Hartman, hairstylist and founder of L.A. Styles Hair Care Products. “Whether it’s short or long, it needs to be a cut you can handle.” If your strands get oily or fall flat, “sprinkle a piece of cheesecloth with a little baby powder or dry shampoo, wrap the cloth around your brush, allowing the bristles to poke through, and brush your hair,” Hartman suggests. “The cloth and the powder will instantly absorb the oils and freshen your strands’ appearance.”

To combat the frizzy, “I just stuck my finger in the light socket” look, treat your hair to a generous warm-weather regimen of hydrating conditioners, deeper weekly treatments, anti-frizz products, and light mists of shine spray. To avoid damage after showering (during summer and beyond), gently pat your hair with a towel to absorb water, instead of vigorously rubbing it dry, and always detangle with a wide-tooth comb, as opposed to a brush, which can damage the hair shaft. Wear a bathing cap or coat your hair with conditioner before entering a pool or the ocean to combat chlorine and salt water, respectively, and never wear metal hair pins in pool water (the chemical reaction can leave rust marks on your hair). To protect your strands from the sun and to preserve your color, “mist you hair with a product that contains UV filters,” Hartman says.

Beachworthy Bod
Thinking about getting a bikini wax for your first summer trip to the beach? Let the hair grow out to a quarter-inch first (for most women, it takes two to three weeks); exfoliate and stay out of the sun before and after you wax; and take an aspirin or ibuprofen one hour prior to your appointment. Schedule a wax in the morning when you’ll be freshly showered, as opposed to after a sweaty day spent running around town, and avoid waxing completely until a week after your period has ended. During the waxing process, try to breathe deeply and remain as relaxed as possible (or as relaxed as you can be while somebody rips out the hair from your nether regions). Some women find that applying a bit of Neosporin + Pain Relief Ointment can be helpful in taking the edge off post-wax pain.

To create a faux glow without frying in the sun, self-tanner is a necessity, and airbrush tans offer the most flawless, convincing result. “No one will know the difference,” says Carboni. The color generally lasts about a week, and keeping your skin hydrated post-airbrush will help extend the look’s longevity. For a natural look, limit your feet to a light mist on the tops only (the bottom of feet usually get a lot less sun than the rest of our bodies), or protect them completely (most airbrush salons offer paper boots). And speaking of feet, bear in mind that heat and humidity can lead to swamp-foot (a nasty, embarrassing condition characterized by sweaty soles and squishy sandals). Fortunately, there are discreet peel-and-stick fabric liners designed specifically for stay-dry comfort. The liners come in a variety of colors and fabrics, can be snipped to fit up to a women’s size 11 shoe, and can be easily removed without residue—a simple way to keep both your feet and your shoes fabulous this summer.

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