How to Tackle Summer’s Worst Beauty Side Effects

We’ve all suffered through the seemingly inevitable trials of hot weather. Maybe you showered and left for work, only to realize when you got there that your commute got you all smelly and sweaty again; or maybe you have evening plans right after work, with no time for a shower. Long story short, you find yourself in the bathroom doing the time-honored summer beauty ritual of busy women everywhere. One hand rubs hand sanitizer onto your armpits while the other hand mops up forehead sweat from under your flattened bangs with a paper towel, and then the grand finish: a complicated yoga pose under the hand dryer in an attempt to dry everything off (but oh god, the heat of that hand dryer).

Summer fun, am I right?

Seriously though, summer is supposed to be fun and it can be as long as you come prepared. For every annoying summer beauty problem, there’s an awesome beauty product out there that delivers a quick fix–and most of them are portable so you can reach for the solution while on the go. Ever wonder how you’re supposed to reapply sunscreen every two hours without messing up your makeup? There’s a fix for that. Wish you could wear short skirts and shorts in the summer without the dreaded thigh rub? You can! Tired of dealing with sweat stains blossoming under your arms and chest every time you go to a summer wedding or an important meeting? We got you. Noticing that your hair seems to smell entirely like smoke and sweat all summer long? You’re going to love this solution.

So scroll through to see the solutions for every one of your summer beauty woes, and then go enjoy your summer instead of dreading it. Say goodbye to thigh chafing and sweaty bangs for good. Stop worrying about midday odour and accidental sun damage. Wear that short skirt, put on as much makeup as you want, stop showering three times a day, and jump in the pool at that BBQ. Thanks to these genius beauty products, nothing can hold you back from having all the summer fun you want while looking and feeling effortlessly glamorous.

The problem: Body odour and sweat.

summer quick beauty fixes

The solution: DERMAdoctor MED e TATE Antipersperiant Wipes

If you struggle with sweatiness in the summer months (and honestly, who doesn’t?) these wipes are a godsend. Thanks to these genius DERMAdoctor MED e TATE wipes, you basically never have to worry about breaking out in a sweat again. They are powerfully formulated with hyperhidrosis-control medication and without any irritating ingredients like fragrance, oil, or dyes. A single swipe keeps you dry and odor-free for the day.

DERMAdoctor MED e TATE Antipersperiant Wipes, ($48 sephora.com)


The problem: Makeup and sunscreen just don’t last.

summer beauty quick fixes

The solution: Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50

The truth is you should reapply sunscreen every two hours if you’re spending time in direct sunlight. But how to reapply sunscreen without disturbing your makeup? This Supergoop! setting mist brilliantly sets makeup with a matte finish that controls shine all day while delivering sun protection. Best of all, it’s easy to carry with you and spritz on as needed throughout the day (and the rosemary and mint scent make this spray a refreshing midday pick-me-up).

Supergoop! Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50 ($28, sephora.com)


The problem: Sweaty bangs/hair

summer beauty quick fixes

The solution: Drybar Triple Sec 3 in 1

This dry shampoo not only soaks up oil and sweat but also helps to lend some volume and texture to flat, lifeless hair. If you struggle with sweaty bangs clinging to your forehead in the summer, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without this stuff.

Drybar Triple Sec 3 in 1 ($26, sephora.com)

The problem: Thigh friction

summer beauty quick fixes

The solution: Bodyglide Anti-Chafe Balm

Bodyglide isn’t fancy but it has been the trusted anti-chafing product among athletes for ages. It’s non-oily, fragrance-free, feels completely dry and looks invisible. Sweat and water won’t make it budge, so as long as you swipe some of this stuff on your thighs you can run around all summer without worrying about painful chafing.

Bodyglide Anti-Chafe Balm ($5, amazon.com

The problem: Underboob sweat

summer beauty quick fixes

The solution: Lush Silky Underwear Dusting Powder

Described by Lush as a “smooth, sensual jasmine powder,” this dusting powder is the sort of product that you buy to treat yourself and then quickly realize you can’t live without. Cocoa butter makes your skin feel soft and kaolin absorbs any sweat or greasiness–and if you don’t like using talc on your skin, you’ll be happy to see it’s switched out for cornstarch. Finally, the jasmine and vetiver fragrance make this powder a truly luxurious experience.

Lush Silky Underwear Dusting Powder ($8, lushusa.com)

The problem: Sun-damaged scalp/hair

 

summer beauty quick fixes

The solution: Clarins Sunscreen Care Oil Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 30 and Phyto Phytoplage Sublime After Sun Hair & Body Oil

Even if you’re extremely vigilant about sun protection, there’s probably one area that you’re missing. You can get sun damage on your scalp and hair. The best thing you can do is to prevent the damage before it occurs. Wear a big hat in the sun, and the rest of the time make sure to have this Clarins Sunscreen Oil Spray on hand. This dry oil feels weightless and non-greasy while the SPF protects your hair and skin.

If you dropped the ball on sun protection (which can happen to the best of us) and now you’re got some damage to deal with, you need this Phyto After Sun Hair & Body Oil. You can use it as a leave-in treatment before shampooing, as a hydrating product before styling dry hair, or as a post-shower body oil. The natural, botanical oils help to soothe and hydrate hair and skin without causing extra irritation. So if you have brittle ends and a dry, flaking scalp after a long beach weekend, this will help you recover by Monday morning.

Clarins Sunscreen Care Oil Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($36, sephora.com)  and Phyto Phytoplage Sublime After Sun Hair & Body Oil ($40, sephora.com)

The problem: Keratosis pillaris

summer beauty quick fixes

The solution: Paula’s Choice Resist Weightless Body Treatment or Lac-Hydrin Lotion

If you struggle with Keratosis Pillaris–those little white or red bumps–you’ve probably noticed that summer issues like sweating and shaving can make it worse. The best way to treat it is with chemical exfoliation. You can try a BHA product like this Paula’s Choice Resist Weightless Body Treatment, which has 2% salicylic acid to banish bumps. Or you can give AHAs a chance in the form of this Lac-Hydrin 12% lotion, which will also help to treat scaly skin. Your skin may prefer the BHA or the AHA, but the important thing is to use one.

Paula’s Choice Resist Weightless Body Treatment 7oz ($25, paulaschoice.com)

summer beauty quick fixes

Lac-Hydrin Lotion ($12, well.ca)

The problem: Pool hair

summer beauty quick fixes

The solution: L’Oreal Paris Expertise Oleo Therapy Resuce

If you spend a lot of time in the pool you’ve probably noticed that all that chlorine is not doing great things for your hair. To battle dry, greenish hair, use a thick leave-in conditioner as a preventative measure. This deep conditioning mask from L’Oreal is rich and luxurious but affordable (plus it smells great). It will stop chlorine from wrecking havoc on your hair, plus your hair will be smooth and silky when you get out of the pool.

L’Oreal Paris Expertise Oleo Therapy Resuce ($8, amazon.com)

The problem: Smelly hair

summer beauty quick fixes

The solution: Fekkai L’Air de St. Barths Hair Fragrance Mist

Hair tends to pick up a lot of odors in the summer, from smokey BBQs to sweat. This Fekkai hair mist solves the problem of smelly hair while also enhancing shine and controlling frizz. Best of all, the citrus scent will give your hair the alluring summer fragrance that it deserves.

Fekkai L’Air de St. Barths Hair Fragrance Mist 1.7oz ($20, fekkai.com)

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