Carefree and colorful epitomize summer style. So, in the dog days of summer, here are a few suggestions to help you handle the heat index and retain your style quotient.
1. Go natural, or at least fake it. If your hair is naturally curly, experiment with hair products that allow you to get away from the flat iron and blow dryer. You’ll be surprised at what the right cut and curl serum can do. If you don’t have natural curls, you can experiment with French braiding your hair at night and unraveling it in the morning for something soft and easy.
2. Play up your eyes, lips and nails with some of the vibrant colors summer has to offer. Highlight your eyes or your lips, but not both. You don’t have to go with a lip color that enters the room two steps ahead of the rest of your face, but try pumping up the shade you normally wear by going with something two shades darker or brighter in the same family. If the color scares you, go with something matte, not super glossy. Coral shades can be universally flattering. For eyes, think greens and golds for a switch.
3. Jackets need not be deferred. They can be a great way to boost a simple summer frock into office attire. A jacket or long sleeves can also validate a tailored Bermuda short for workday wear. Garment Guard ($10.95 to $14.95) at Nordstrom or garmentguard.com offers a barrier against sweat stains.
4. Upgrade your flip-flops. There’s no excuse to walk around clip-clopping in something that looks like you just stepped out of a communal shower at the gym. ‘Nuf said.
5. Spice it up with a printed dress, flirty ruffled shirt or sweeping skirt. Even if you’re not a print kind of girl, a flower pin in your hair, on your shirt or a headband can also lend an element of fun to your wardrobe.
6. Let blemishes be. If you are prone to breakouts, then just expect that those pesky blemishes will be worse in the summer. Do your diligence of applying drying potions and wait. Some products will take the red out or shorten the duration when used consistently, but the best thing you can do is keep your hands off. To run a course, blemishes can last for three to five days. Yes, soooo frustrating, but your skin will thank you for your patience, and it won’t rebel with something even more heinous, like permanent scarring.