You’ve got the heat-proof clothes, melt-proof makeup, and sweat-proof supplies to guarantee a fresh, summer-ready internship experience. You feel totally prepared—that is, until the sweat starts beading anyway, and as soon as you walk out the door! If the summertime heat is putting up a fight, you’ll have to go deeper than sturdy primers and waterproof mascara to ensure a clean and cool appearance by the time you enter the office. These tips and products will help you stay refreshed no matter what the thermometer reads, so you can say goodbye to sweat stains and not-so-lovely smells!
Try a facial antiperspirant
These little guys are too good to be true. Nothing’s worse than the embarrassment of a noticeably wet upper lip. Facial antiperspirants, such as Neat’s 3B Face Saver Gel ($12.99, Walgreens), keep the beading at bay, slide on smoothly under makeup, and won’t stain. Never fear the sweat ‘stache again!
Put a temporary ban on body hair
We know that shaving is a complete pain and that women everywhere are so over it. But excess hair means excess heat—it’s there to keep you warm! Cleanly shaven underarms will prevent excessive sweating, and staying bare “down there” will prevent odors and sweat from getting trapped and becoming noticeable. Once winter’s back, we promise you can embrace that natural look once more.
Pick a light, cooling deodorant
It goes without saying that deodorant is a must-have. But while you can get away with forgetting it during your rush to class on a brisk fall morning, summertime sweat will be unbearable without it! Dove’s Go Fresh Anti-Perspirant Deodorant in Cool Essentials ($4.79, Walgreens) literally is a cooling essential, using cucumber and green tea scents to keep you totally refreshed and lightly fragranced. Apply before you head out the door, and you’ll stay fresh long enough to get to the office!
Hot showers are actually beneficial
You might think a hot shower is counterintuitive, but cold showers can actually cause you to overheat faster! Cold showers cause your body temperature to rise to compensate for the chill, meaning that once you get out of the water in the morning, you may heat up quickly. Hot showers are extra-cleansing, removing residue and build-up that may be clogging pores and weighing down your skin. Just be sure to moisturize head-to-toe once you get out of the shower—hot water can also be drying.
Cool off on the go
Once you’re out and about for the day, away from pools, showers, and ice-cold water, you may think there’s no way to cool off. But luckily, there are a few options out there that let you stay cool on the fly. Ban’s Total Refresh Cooling Body Cloths ($3.59, Walgreens) instantly hydrate and chill your parched, sweating skin, lowering your skin’s temperature. Even better, the powder finish in these cooling pads sticks to skin and combats sweat after application! You’ll feel like you just hopped through an icy sprinkler, without the obvious hassle of arriving at work dripping wet.
Research some new up-dos
Similar to our shaving tip, keeping your hair up and off of your neck will allow your skin some air to breathe. When a cool breeze blows by, you’ll feel it way better, and hair that’s up won’t get stuck to your face in a sweaty mess. It’s worth the extra time of finding a hair tie, we promise!
Blot excess oil goodbye
While your new cooling pads and refreshing antiperspirants will try their hardest to keep you clean and dry, the sun doesn’t back down easily, and chances are you’ll still need a quick wipe down before heading to your desk. Blotting sheets such as Sephora’s Cooling Mint Blotting Papers ($8, Sephora) will remove any sweat that’s escaped your barriers, and can be used over makeup without the risk of smudging or removal.
While summer heat can be a complete nuisance, rest assured that with the right products and tactics in your beauty tool belt, you can begin any internship workday with a fresh start.