The intense heat of Texas is no secret, but it doesn’t quite hit until you’re committed to spending the next several weeks living in it. Only about half of the SMU student population is from the Lone Star State, so here’s a crash course to surviving the heat of Dallas for everyone just arriving in Dallas.
Sunscreen is super important
You’re going to be soaking up sun, whether intentionally or not, over an extended period of time. You can burn just walking from Crum Commons to Dallas Hall (take it from someone who knows)! Save yourself a little pain and apply sunscreen with your morning routine.
Personally, I’m a big fan of the brand Coola and their Face SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint.
Image courtesy of Birchbox
Not only is it a great sunscreen with a gentle tint to add a little color to your natural skin tone, it’s also a BB Cream with shea butter to moisturize and it doesn’t feel greasy! The entire Coola Unscented line is the least smelly sunscreen I’ve encountered so far, and will really help you under the Texas sun.
Keep aloe handy
We can’t always be reapplying during the day, nor do we always notice we’re burning until it feels tender after the fact. As someone with fair skin, despite my sunscreen application, I know I’m going to burn sometime. For when this does happen, it’s great to have some aloe vera gel to rub gently into your burn.
Keep your makeup light
In this case, less is more, or at least more comfortable. With the oppressive heat of a Dallas summer, and even autumn, layers of makeup will feel that much heavier. I know I hate feeling like my face is melting, and too much makeup in the sun sometimes gives that effect.
Â
Image courtesy of MemeGenerator
Â
Try to find products that give you a lot of coverage without requiring a lot of layers to achieve the look. When I’m keeping things light, I go for Benefit’s Hello! Flawless line, especially the powder.
Setting spray will save the look
Even when keeping makeup light, the sun can still get the best of a fabulous look. Suddenly, that perfect set of wings you created with your eyeliner this morning has transformed into mismatched smudges! A good misting of setting spray at the end of your makeup routine can help keep the underlying makeup from absorbing into your skin or moving. If you’re looking for a suggestion, I’d go for the Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
I know we’ve all heard it a hundred times from our parents, doctors, and every magazine on the market, but they aren’t kidding! The last thing you need to add to your busy schedule is a trip to the Health Center because you’re feeling intense dehydration! It’s much easier to use that time for bathroom breaks with all the water you’re drinking. And as a reward, your skin will thank you with some really great smoothness and clearer complexion!
Feature image courtesy of GuideLive