On Trend: Keep cool and carry on

It’s sweltering, y’all. August is easily my least favorite time of year. It’s unbearably bright, and uncomfortably hot. Everyone is sticky and sweaty, and makeup seems to slide right off the face. And it’s not even technically football season yet. Start looking forward to all those hours of tailgating in the humid, stagnant air, folks!

Here are a few tips to make the most of summer’s dead heat by appearing as put together as possible without losing your cool.

Cool down the styling.

Flipping the switch on your blow dryer is the worst way to start your morning in the dead of summer. Instead, let your hair air dry. Hop out of the shower and spray in some sea salt spray for wavy texture, like Bumble & Bumble’s bestseller, or just some tried-and-true leave-in conditioner. Not only will it give your hair a much-needed rest from damaging heat styling, it’ll give you the opportunity to stay cool a little bit longer.

Not up for the beach look? Try a loose ponytail or a fun braid to keep your mane in check.

If you can’t get away with going to work with damp hair, wash it before bed and let it air dry overnight. If absolutely necessary, you can make a couple quick touch ups with a curling iron the next morning. It’s not eliminating the heat all together, but it’s certainly minimizing the time your spending with it.

Keep your makeup low-maintenance.

Let’s be honest. There is no magical solution to keep makeup flawless in 100+ degree weather and humidity. And really, piling on makeup just makes me feel even more disgusting once I leave the house. I’ve found the best option is to keep everything as minimal as possible and find products that have a dual purpose.

Using a tinted moisturizer is a great way to skip a step while giving you a little coverage. If you need something with a little more coverage, I’ve recently become a fan of bareMinerals bareSkin.

Try a blush that can also be used as a lipstick, or vice versa. I really love the Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelée, which goes on easily and feels cool as you apply.

I almost never skip concealer, mascara and eyeliner, and these three brands have great lasting power regardless of the temperature.

What are some of your tips to keep cool and carry on?