Staying Stylish in the Summer Heat

 Long summer days, sun-filled vacations, and relaxing pool days.  Ah, Summer, here you are!

I don't know about you, but the phrase "Lazy days of summer" does not really apply in my life.  Yes, we do not have to get up to get kids off to school, but many times they are still going to camps and we are still working.  The kids don't want to go to bed early anymore because they don't have to get up quite as early and "It's still light out, Mom! I am not ready to go to bed.".  Planning and packing for vacations and making sure no one gets burnt on vacation are all code for:  Life is even busier than usual.

Here in the Carolinas, the sun is hot and the humidity is unreal.  Does anyone else straighten their hair only to find it frizzy 10 minutes after you step outside of the door?  Just me?  I doubt it.

Yet, during summer, people's first impression of us does not take any longer and does not disappear...it still only takes 5 seconds for a first impression to be made and for someone we have never known to decide if they trust us ... by our body language and our outfit.

But, it's H-O-T!  How are you supposed to stay stylish in the heat and still remain comfortable?  Well, my friend, today I am going to help you figure that out!  I am going to share three important areas to think about when it comes to the heat:  Clothing, Makeup, and Hair.  Let's hop to it, starting with your clothing.

Stylish Summer Clothing and Accessory Tips

1. Choose Breathable Fabrics.  Choosing natural fibers is going to be your best bet.  Fabrics like Cotton, Linen, Chambray, Bamboo, Rayon.  While Rayon is not a fully natural fabric, it's lightweight and airy.  It will not wick sweat away, but typically does not stick or cling to the body.  Clingy fabrics are an invitation for visible sweat marks.
2. Loose-fitting Pieces.  Summer is not the time to wear your body-con tops and dresses.  Think airy, floaty and breathable.  Lean into flowy pants, shorts, flowy dresses and skirts and airy tops.  Here is the caveat:  do not pair a flowy top with a flowy bottom.  You need to choose which part of you will wear the flowy piece and stay closer-to-the-body on the other part.  For example:  if you choose to wear flowy linen pants, wear a short-sleeve cotton tee shirt on the top; alternatively you can wear a airy eyelet top front tucked into a pair of shorts.
3. Undergarments matter.  Because you are not wearing body skimming pieces, you can skip the shapewear.  To take it a step further, instead of wearing your usual wired bra, choose a more breathable bralette.  The Harper Wilde Cloud Cotton Triangle Bralette is wireless and breathable.  It has maybe a bit less support, but great breathability for summer.  If you are bigger busted or need a bit more support, try the Harper Wilde Bliss Bralette. If you tend to sweat quite a bit, I have heard from a trusted source that you must try Numi Undershirts. The cropped, short sleeve version is good for all year round and may be able to be worn in place of a bra.  
4. Wear light colors.  Lighter colored garments reflect the sunlight, they do not absorb it, so naturally it will keep you cooler.  This can be your white, cream, beige, yellow, etc.  Just steer clear of darker colors
5. Choose open-toed footwear.  Whether you are wearing flat sandals or heeled sandals, when your feet can breathe, it helps to keep you cool.  There are so many stylish options that can pack a punch to your complete outfit, you can have fun with your shoes!
6. Dresses.  Period. End of Story.  For some reason, dresses get a bad rap of being fussy, but they are the absolute EASIEST way to stay stylish in the heat.  Just make sure to choose flowy styles.  There is built-in air conditioning coming from the bottom of the dress.  If you find a dress that has side slits, even better!  One and Done!
7. Styling - to Tuck or not to Tuck.  When you are dressing yourself, you want to avoid blouses or tops that need a full tuck.  You can do a simple front tuck to visually nip your waist and that type of tuck will also not cause you to sweat more.
8. Scarves.  Lightweight silk scarves can be a gamechanger.  Silk is a natural fiber and very breathable.  You can find silk scarves with gorgeous color and prints.  Scarves are also versatile.  You can add a punch of style with a scarf not just around your neck, but as a belt, as a bracelet, or in your hair.
9. Hats.  There really is nothing that speaks style quite like a great hat.  A straw hat in the summer is a must.  Now, this is not something you can wear on office days, but when you are having an outdoor lunch with your friends or family, it adds a perfect element of style.
10. Sunglasses.  Here is another area you can add a big punch in a small, simple accessory.  Have fun here.  You can either get your Designer Sunnies that you wear all the time (keep them safe in their case) or pick up a fun pair that won't break the bank.  Just make sure that they offer UV protection for your eyes!
11. Jewelry.  This one is important, but HEAR ME when I say to avoid big, chunky pieces in the summer, especially around your neck.  Choose either delicate necklaces and bracelets OR lightweight resin pieces for your necklaces and bracelets.  Because these are lightweight they are a great option and you can find some statement pieces here.  As for your earrings, go ahead and put your hair in a pony and put on your bold, lightweight statement earrings.
12. Cover ups.  Do you have a lightweight swim coverup?  You can wear it over lightweight body-skimming pieces for a fun flare.
13. Top Layer.  If you work in an office or when you go to a restaurant, always have a stylish jacket, cardigan, or sweater with you that compliments your outfit. You may think I'm insane here, but here's the thing:  as the temperatures go UP outside, the temperatures go DOWN inside.  You will want something to cover your arms.

Meltproof Makeup Tips

1. Set your base.  At the start of the day, one of the most important things you can do before applying your makeup and after putting on your moisturizer is to give your makeup a strong base to stick to.  I have combination skin and get oily in my T-Zone, so here is my makeup trick and the products that I personally use.
• First, I spray my face with a Setting Spray.  I know it sounds crazy, but it really works. I learned this from makeup artist Nikkia Joy and it has worked SO WELL for me!  I use NYX Matte Finish Fini Matte.  I make sure to lightly spray all over my face, starting with my T-Zone.  Then, I fan my face so it's dry before my next step.
• Next, I use a Makeup Primer all over my face.  I love Loreal Paris Infallible Pro Matte-Lock Longwear Mattifying Face Primer.  It doesn't take a lot of product and soaks in pretty quickly.  
• The final step before I apply my makeup is to set the primer with another primer.  Again, I know it sounds like a lot, but it works.  And I PROMISE, it does not feel heavy on your skin at all!  I take a fluffy face brush and lightly apply some NYX HD Studio Finishing Powder.  Now, I'm ready for my Makeup
2. If you love a lighter coverage during the summer or prefer a more natural look, It Cosmetics offers a great CC Cream that soaks in beautifully. Make sure to use oil-free foundation if you use it.
3. Use Cream Blush and cream highlighter because it blends better when your skin gets a bit dewy.
4. If you wear eye makeup, definitely use Eye Primer to keep your eye shadow in place.  I love Urban Decay Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer Potion.
5. Once your face makeup is all on, you want to SET the makeup.  The process is similar to the prep step.
• Get a beauty sponge wet and then squeeze all of the excess water out of it.  Using your Finishing Powder, tap some into the lid of the tub.  Dab your wet sponge into the powder lightly and apply all over your face in a dabbing motion.
• Finally, set your makeup with your Setting Spray!
6. Carry a touch-up makeup kit with you, especially if you will be gone morning to night
7. Pick up some makeup blotting sheets and carry them in your handbag.  You may not actually need a touch-up, but just need to lightly blot some oil from sweating during the day.
8. For a pick-me-up, carry a small travel sized hydrating spray.  When you feel hot, it helps give a burst of cool.  I love Mario Badescu Rosewater Spray.

Skip-the-frizz Hair Tips

1. Go natural.  This one is hard for me.  I have naturally curly hair that just gets frizzy.  You know Monica on Friends in Bermuda?  The hair that just kept growing?  Yep, that's me.  One of the best things for your hair in the summer is to use as little hot tools as you can.  The summer heat is drying on the hair, so it's best to just "Let it go" as Elsa would say.
2. If you MUST use hot tools, use a heat protectant spray!  Kerastase is known for their quality product and that goes for their Heat Protectant as well.  Kerastase Chroma Absolu Anti-Frizz Leave-In Treatment.
3. Use good frizz-fighting products.  Here are some of the best rated by Glamour no matter what your styling need is:
• Shampoo:  John Frieda Frizz Ease Replenish and Repair Shampoo
• Conditioner:  Ceremonia Deep Moisture 
• Hair Mask:  SexyHair Healthy Imperfect Fruit Moisturizing Mask
• Hairspray:  Matrix Fixer Hairspray
• Best Styling Cream:  Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother Reparative Styling Creme
• Best Styling Product for Wavy Hair:  Aussie Miracle Waves Frizz-Fighting Spray
• Best Styling Product for Curly or Coily Hair:  Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Styling Cream for Curly & Coily Hair
• Best Frizz Treatment:  Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
• Dry Hair Anti-Frizz Prevention:  Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray
• Best Product for Air Drying:  Living Proof No-Frizz Smooth Styling Cream
• On-the-Go Frizz Touch Ups:  Amika Water Sign Hydrating Hair Oil
4. Wash your hair less often.  I personally have oily hair, so this is hard for me.  I do try to wash every other day.  When I do, I use Dry Shampoo.  The brand I use is Batisste (I love the scented version).  I lift sections of my hair and spray on my scalp, rub it into my scalp and then let it sit for a couple minutes before I brush it through.  Batisste also has options for lighter hair vs. darker hair.
5. Wash your hair using cooler water.  This helps to seal the cuticle which in-turn, helps reduce frizz.
6. Style your hair in an up-do.  Keeping the hair off of your neck can really help keep you cool.  Half-up styles work well too if you just want to keep your hair off of your face.

Stylish Outfit Ideas

Okay, so I'm a Personal Style Coach, so I HAVE to give you some stylish outfit ideas for summer-time. Here are 5 looks to get your creative juices flowing!

                                   

                                  

I hope that this post helps you feel ready to face the summer heat stylishly. If you would love to have someone help you with outfits and ALL of this, so you don't have to think about it, hop on over to my website and see what services I have to offer!  I love helping women feel stylish!

Stylishly Yours,

PS- Love these ideas?  Are there any that you think you are going to give a try this summer?  Comment below and let me know!  Head on over to Facebook or the 'gram to follow what I have going on there, too!