Summer’s here, and you’re all about looking cute in your sundress and easy summer braids. Then along comes a heat wave and sauna-like humidity, and you’ve got raccoon eyes and poof ball hair. No more!
Check out these easy solutions to your top five summer beauty issues—and say hello to a season of pretty.
Breakouts:
They’re more common in the summer thanks to sweat, which can cause blockages in your pores, says Cameron Rokhsar, M.D., a New York-based dermatologist. Stay in the shade when you can, avoid heavy makeup (which can melt and clog pores further), and wipe off sweat when it does form with a towel or cooling facial cleansing wipes.
Dry hair and skin:
Going for a dip is a no-brainer when the mercury rises (especially during a summer pregnancy). But frequent exposure to chlorine or salt water can be drying to both skin and hair, Rokhsar says. To combat parched locks, wash hair immediately with a moisturizing shampoo, followed by a deep-moisturizing conditioner. Follow up with a thick lotion or body oil for your skin, which replenishes dry skin and acts as a sealant to keep moisture locked in.
Frizzy hair:
After your hair dries out from swimming, it’ll try to soak up moisture in the humid air, causing your strands to expand. The result? Dreaded frizz. To keep fuzzies at bay, wash your hair with keratin shampoo and conditioner, which contains protein to help revitalize dry, damaged hair—and stop poof before it starts. Before heading out, minimize damage and fly-aways by spraying in a leave-in conditioner and letting your hair air dry. (If you must blow-dry, use an anti-frizz serum.) Another tip: Look for products that are free of sulfates, a chemical added to many hair products that tend to cause dryness and make frizz worse.
Sweat-sliding makeup:
From melting concealer to freaky raccoon eyes, rising temps can cause some serious makeup malfunctions. Heat-proof your makeup regimen by picking these products:
- Powder blushes and eyeshadows, which stay put longer than oil-based cream versions.
- Waterproof, silicone-based eyeliner and waterproof mascara with ingredients like beeswax, which block moisture.
- Oil-free, silicone-based foundation—it’s smudge-proof.
Not sure if your products meet safe pregnancy beauty standards? Run your routine by your doc before making any changes.
Dry, calloused feet:
Running around barefoot is oh-so-nice, until you end up with dry, cracked skin on the bottom of your feet. To keep your tootsies as soft and smooth as your baby’s bum, soak them in warm water, exfoliate with a salt based scrub, then slather in lotion. Easy (and a little luxurious, too!).
By Nicole Pelletiere
