The dog days of August are upon us and there are some fashionable insider secrets to looking great while keeping cool:
1.
Slip on a "Thermostat" Tank: The newest cooling tanks are infused
with micro-encapsulated "thermocules" which are actually high-tech
particles developed by NASA. These particles absorb and release excess body heat to keep skin cool. The Jockey Staycool Reversible Tank retails at $21; the reversible design allows you to wear the tank as a V-neck or a crew neck.
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| Jockey Staycool Reversible Tank $21 |
2.
Stick on
Under-Bra Coolers: These strips cool for six hours and, because they will
lie close to the heart, your entire body will reap the cool benefits.
The strips attach to your bra. My Breast Friend retails at $10 for
four pairs at
BreastCoolers.com
3. Deflate a puffy
face: Dehydration causes the lymphatic system to become sluggish,
resulting in facial swelling. The remedy? Pop an ice cube in your mouth and
hold it against the roof of your mouth with your tongue for one minute.
Ice triggers these nerves to cause constrictions in the vessels which
reduce swelling from the inside out.
4. Frizzy Hair: Humidity causes the hair cuticle to open unevenly, causing frizz. Remedy: Dampen your hands with cold water and run them over your hair - the cold temperature closes the outer layer of the hair strand, which is comprised of shingle-like scales. Next apply a pea-sized amount of a gylcerin-based pomade such as Redken Water Wax 03 Shine Defining Pomade, Retails for $18. for 1.7 ounces at Ulta stores. Apply from ends to roots.
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| Redken Water Wax 03 Shine Defining Pomade |
5. Suncreen over makeup: We all know that in order to protect the skin we must re-apply sunblock during the course of the day. But to preserve our makeup, try re-applying sunscreen via an Instant Mineral Powder by Phillip Thomas Roth. This product comes in a tube and with a twist, the powder falls onto the brush and glides easily over makeup. The product comes in three formulations, including one for oily skin and retails for about $30 at Sephora.
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| Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral Powder $30 @ Sephora |
6. Sweat stains: Dust on Gold Bond Extra Strength Medicated Body Powder. Dermatologist Francesca Fusco told First for Women magazine, "Baby powder is made with coarse cornstarch but medicated powders absorb moisture with talc, which has a finer grain to prevent clumps." "Plus, unlike cornstarch, talc won't feed yeast or fungus to cause a splotchy infection called 'summer rash."
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| Gold Bond Body Powder $8.99 @ drugstore.com |
7. Caking foundation: Stop makeup meltdown! By switching from cream or liquid formulas (which cake in fine lines when exposed to heat), look for a mineral foundation in powder form. The lightweight powder helps absorb excess sweat and oil and the crushed minerals bind to skin when it is exposed to body heat.
8. Dry Lips: Flaky, parched lips can come out of a fun day at the beach. Remedy: Apply sugar (I usually use brown sugar) with a damp fingertip and gently "brush" for 20 seconds. Wipe lips clean and apply a lip balm. Try Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother Cooling HydraGel. Retails for $6.99 at drugstore.com. It contains SPF 20 as well as a mix of cucumber chamomile and glycerin to keep lips soft.
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| Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother Cooling HydraGel $6.99 @ drugstore.com |
9. Parched hair: The enemy: salt water, chlorine and humidity. The remedy: for daily repair, use a few drops of Argan Oil. Apply through wet or dry hair. Since Argan Oil contains 80 percent fatty acids, it binds frayed ends so hair looks healthier without weighing it down.
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| Josie Maran Argan Oil $48 @ Sephora |
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| Organix Repairing Awapuhi Ginger Instant Recovery Mask $7.99 @ drugstore.com |
Great suggestions!
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