Heatwave Secrets of Women Who Always Look Cool

Ways to stay fresh even when it is hot, hot, hot

Lois Joy Johnson,

AARP

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Published June 27, 2024

A smiling woman wearing a sun hat and yellow swimsuit at the beach while holding a fan to her face

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Alamy; Getty Images)

Hot enough for you? The temperature’s sizzling, the humidity is soaring and the A/C is cranked up. So how come you’re a hot mess while your best friend, work colleague and that woman behind you in the Starbucks line are all cool as cucumbers? The truth is, preparing for steamy weather is a lot like getting ready for hurricane season. It requires think-ahead strategy, a few new purchases and a willingness to alter your usual routine. Here are six ways to chill now:

1. Plan on a humidity- and heat-resistant hairstyle.

Uma Thurman at Cannes Film Festival 2024; Tracee Ellis Ross attends the FYC event for ABC's "Blackish" at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California; Kristen Wiig arriving at The Inaugural Gotham TV Awards in New York

(Left to right) Uma Thurman, Tracee Ellis Ross and Kristen Wiig

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Photo by Rocco Spaziani/Archivio Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images; Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic; Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images)

It never fails. The combo of heat and moisture in the air are guaranteed to produce a sweaty scalp and hair that’ll go limp, frizzy or out of control the minute you step outdoors. You might be tempted to wear a baseball cap till September or opt for a sledgehammer approach to taming texture with a salon keratin straightening (with a no-formaldehyde formula, of course). But the first lacks style chops and the second (though it does work) is pricey at $200 to $400 and doesn’t always play well with mature hair that’s thinning, dry, damaged or chemically processed. Instead try one of two weatherproof hairstyles and the new category of lightweight frizz-fighters that seal in moisture, seal out humidity better than your old serums. Those with medium-to-long hair can’t lose with a polished ponytail (even a short stubby one!) and a pair of statement earrings or glam sunglasses. Ready for a change? Chopping to a classic (and trending) bob keeps your nape cool and maintenance low (aside from trims). Both styles look great air-dried, wavy, textured or blown sleek. For a smooth, glossy finish, depend on a heat-activated blow-dry spray like Nexxus Epic Shine Anti Humidity Spray ($18, walgreens.com), IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Styling Spray ($34, ulta.com) and Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray ($32, sephora.com) that repels moisture and seals the look till your next shampoo. If you prefer to enhance natural waves on an air-dried bob or ponytail, try a styling cream like Sun Bum Revitalizing Air Dry Cream ($14, cvs.com) with botanical oils — in this case, sunflower seed and banana.

(Left to right) IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Styling Spray; Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray; Sun Bum Revitalizing Air Dry Cream

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Target; Ulta; CVS)

2. Wear looser, lighter clothes.

Hannah Waddingham attends the Women+Film 2024 luncheon; Elizabeth Banks attends the Center For Reproductive Rights Hosts 6th Annual Los Angeles Benefit; Tamron Hall hosting The Tamron Hall Show; Alfre Woodard attends the Legal Defense Fund's 36th National Equal Justice Awards Dinner

(Left to right) Hannah Waddingham, Elizabeth Banks, Tamron Hall and Alfre Woodard

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Photo by Thomas Cooper/Getty Images; Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Center for Reproductive Rights; DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION/Jeff Neira; Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Be realistic. Anything that fits like a glove, has a high neckline, is made of a dense fabric like denim or is overly structured will leave you wilting and wishing for a shower. That’s why women in the know always opt for roomier clothes that flow or at least hang away from the body to allow perspiration to evaporate and keep you cool. Edit fabrics first by choosing lightweight cotton, linen, rayon (also called viscose but made from wood pulp) and modal (a type of rayon) or their blends. Stick to styles that breathe too. On the OK list: breezy sundresses, pumped up midi dresses, and skirts and shirtdresses that billow. Look for sleeves that are wide, fluttery or cut low at the armholes in a dolman style, tunic tops, oversized button-downs, wide-leg pants cropped at the ankles or flared, open necklines like Vs, squares and cleavage-avoiding scoops — and of course off-the-shoulder anything!

3. Have a fresh deodorizing strategy.

(Left to right) Secret Whole Body Deodorant Spray, Peach & Vanilla; Dove Whole Body Deodorant Anti-Friction Stick in Coconut & Vanilla

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: CVS; Target)

Sweat’s not all bad. It’s your body’s natural built-in air conditioning system. However, when intense heat teams up with humidity, evaporation slows and wetness lingers. When that mixes with bacteria in places above and below the belt, you smell funky. Odor happens to all of us to some degree. And deodorants and antiperspirants/deodorants are givens. What you may not know is this summer, sweat has a breakthrough category. New “whole body” aluminum-free formulas are designed not just for the underarms, but to work also for all body hot spots. To solve multiple “stinky” issues and wetness in one application try Secret Whole Body Deodorant Spray, Peach & Vanilla ($15, cvs.com), which is gynecologist and dermatologist tested, Dove Whole Body Deodorant Anti-Friction Stick in Coconut & Vanilla ($12, target.com) which is vegan, dermatologist approved and targets odor and chafing head to toes and Shea Moisture Whole Body Deodorant Stick, Coconut & Hibiscus ($10, walmart.com), a plant-based do-all that’s also gynecologist and dermatologist tested. Let’s note that many brands are eliminating the ingredient aluminum zirconium due to consumer concerns about health issues, though at this date the evidence is still inconclusive. Whichever formula you choose, apply it after bathing at night on clean dry skin and again in the a.m. to reinforce all-day security. And here’s a tip for heavy sweaters (if this is you, you and your clothes know it): Botox injections by a board-certified dermatologist can block nerve impulses and reduce excessive sweating at the underarms, hands or feet. Results take a few days to two weeks to kick in and cost is about $1,000 for both underarms.

4. Create a no-sweat-stain wardrobe plan.

Garcelle Beauvais attends the 55th NAACP Image Awards; Selma Blair and her dog Scout during opening night of Tribeca Film Festival; Regina King at the special screening event for Netflix's A Man in Full

(Left to right) Garcelle Beauvais, Selma Blair and Regina King

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Photo by Robin L Marshall/WireImage; Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP; Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

Despite our best intentions, some super-sticky days and nights defy the perspiration odds. No one anticipates damp armpit marks, clingy wet spots and sweat trails on their clothes, but there is a simple fashion stylist rule that’ll zap your wories: wear specific colors when the temperature soars or you have an important event. Yes, it’s an optical illusion but our favorite neutrals — white and black — and busy prints hide sweat stains best, even to the point where they seem to disappear. You may still feel clammy, but there won’t be obvious discolorations to obsess over. And just in case, take another look at tip number 3.

5. Change your underclothes strategy.

Old Navy Women No-Show Bralette in Black Jack (left) or Velvet Sand (right)

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Old Navy (2))

Finding a supportive bra and perfect panties that look and feel great is always welcome, but finding a duo that will keep you cool and fresh in summer is even more satisfying. The secret is to avoid lace and bulky “big bra” styles that trap heat and fancy panties with binding leg and waist bands. This may require some out-of-the-box seasonal thinking. Look for bras in a soft seamless stretchy fabric with a wide band under the breasts and wide straps to minimize chafing and deep necklines front and back that will work with all your clothing necklines. Many “cool” women swap their usual tee-shirt bra for a sweat-wicking racerback sports bra like the Spanx Longline Medium Impact Sports Bra in Very Black ($68, spanx.com) during a heat wave or decide to go wire-free with a sculpted and supportive bralette like the Old Navy Women No-Show Bralette in Black Jack or Velvet Sand ($15, oldnavy.gap.com), which has the essential wide straps, deep V front and low back. Both pair with equally smooth and fuss-free high-waist microfiber panties like the Gap High Rise No-Show Bikini in True Black ($8, gap.com).

6. Minimize skincare and makeup meltdowns.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Hydrating Moisturizer with SPF30; Smashbox Halo Healthy Glow All-in-One Tinted Moisturizer SPF 25; Ilia Lip Sketch Hydrating Lipstick + Lip Liner Crayon

(Left to right) Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Hydrating Moisturizer with SPF30; Smashbox Halo Healthy Glow All-in-One Tinted Moisturizer SPF 25; Ilia Lip Sketch Hydrating Lipstick + Lip Liner Crayon

Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Target; Ulta; Sephora)

A radiant dewy finish is one thing, a gooey mess is another. The secret is to take a less-is-more approach and balance color, coverage, sun protection and hydration while reducing the number of products you use. Black waterproof mascara and bold black or tortoise eyeglass/sunglass frames are all you really need on the steamiest days. Go minimalist for the rest as well by choosing a few hybrid products that combine steps without buildup. For the simplest solution choose a one-stop tinted oil-free moisturizer with sunscreen like Smashbox Halo Healthy Glow All-in-One Tinted Moisturizer SPF 25 ($41, ulta.com). If you prefer more coverage start with a moisturizer/sunscreen like Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Hydrating Moisturizer with SPF30 ($27, target.com) and add a serum-like tint like Maybelline SuperStay 24H Skin Tint + Vitamin C ($16, walgreens.com), with 18 diverse skin-tone shades and effective blurring power for discolorations. And for a face-brightening finale, choose a soft matte chunky lip pencil like Ilia Lip Sketch Hydrating Lipstick + Lip Liner Crayon ($16, sephora.com) to line and fill. The best shades for a blazing day? The reds! Try Blue Note or Case Study.

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Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.

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