How do you look presentable in this heat?

[FTBregret]

I don’t have hyperhtdrosis but feel like I’m constantly sweating and looking a mess. I don’t have high standards just want to look clean and tidy. It’s a losing battle

I take two lukewarm showers a day, one right before bed. I apply antiperspirant both times

No makeup in this heat other than brow pencil and la Roche posay uvmune face spf. Set it with translucent powder to mattify, my face still gets shiny

I can’t wear white or light coloured tops as you’ll see sweat marks. Also body sunscreen (tried loads) always tends to stain my white clothing yellow

I like wearing black tops as don’t get any sweat marks but then I tend to get some visible lint on my black tops (even new tops, and I wash clothes inside out with similar colours).

My upper lip sweats a lot so I’m regularly blotting it. I also have a history of eczema on mouth area which can flare it a bit so goes quite red

When applying sufficient amount of body spf on my arms and legs it can separate and become a bit patchy/streaky after I’ve been out and about, random bits can stick to the spf too making me look so unkempt

I ensure to rub the body spf in well (I actually think creams are better than sprays for getting initial even application), but as the day goes on it just looks bad. I am currently using high protection spf by the brand Altruist (one of the highest ppd ratings) yet I still seem to get more sunspots (and likely skin damage)

I have tried lots of diff body SPF, all still do this to me.

& finally I’m naturally a hairy person, I try hard to stay on top of body hair removal but in harsh sunlight it’s so unforgiving and I always tend to miss random spots ffs. I epilate daily but because hairs are dark I feel you can still see tiny dots of roots growing in (too short to remove)

Meanwhile so many other people still manage to look so presentable, no sweaty shininess, very flawless and hairless smooth skin - how??

I could be wearing the most beautiful cool outfit and it would be ruined every time by my big red face and my hair that goes limp bit by bit.

Can i ask what foot gel you use? My feet just feel sore all the time at the minute

I wear long sleeves so only need SPF for my neck and face. I honestly wouldn't worry about it, no one is judging you, most people feel overly warm and a bit of a mess.

Have you ever noticed any of these things on other people? I reckon everyone’s too busy looking at themselves and having the same thoughts about themselves to be judging you.
it’d bloody boiling, give yourself some grace.

as to what helps me,
you should be applying suncream more than once a day, especially if you’re finding you’re getting sunspots, and stay in the shade where you can.
a brightening cream or tinted moisturiser make my ‘no makeup’ skin look a bit nicer and a bit or pinkish highlight on my cheeks.
a lot of my friends have Botox under their arms to prevent the sweat
I just try not to lift my arms up really. Sometimes I wear a cotton vest under my clothes which I know sounds counterproductive but it’s stops the sweat coming through off my body.
can you wear a vest top with a loose flowy (away from the armpits) linen blouse? Gets a bit of air flow but without revealing too much skin if you’re at work/self conscious / dodging the sun

you’ll always look terrible in photographs if you’ve got spf on your face though, it’s the way the camera and the light reacts to it. So again don’t judge yourself too harshly

I’m on holiday somewhere very hot and humid at the moment but seem to be looking OK still I think.

For hair removal I have a professional wax every 3 weeks in summer. That works better for me than DIY options.

Very light make up (if any at all). Usually only a tinted lip balm and have my lashes tinted for some definition. Sometimes use some facial self tan on my face the night before if I’m feeling pasty. With sunglasses on not much of the face is visible anyway. If your face is shiny though try blotting paper.

Hair up in a messy bun or low pony tail to avoid frizz and help keep cool.

For clothes, natural fabrics and nothing too tight. You don’t want anything which is going to wrinkle easily in the heat or stick to the body. Choose the colours which flatter you. All black will probably make you feel even hotter though.

I use a 48 hour anti perspirant applied daily, shower twice a day (first thing in the morning and before I go out for dinner/go to bed). Carry a fan to keep cool and drink lots of water.

I prefer spray sunscreen Factor 50 and try to wear long skirts or trousers so that I’m only really having to protect arms, cleavage and face. Also wear a large brimmed hat to keep the sun off my face.

I’m late 50’s so don’t have natural advantages of youth here btw!

I'm staying in as much as possible.
Showering with natural soap.
Washing hair almost daily, leaving it wet and tying it up. Sometimes I re-wet it during the day
No spf or foundation. Only make-up is lipstick.
Crystal deodorant.
Perfume.
Simple outfits, such as a cotton t-shirt and a long, split skirt.
Comfortable, open sandals.
Jewellery such as ankle chain, bracelets, earrings etc.
No sunglasses.
Sometimes I go crazy and oil my skin with a natural oil with peppermint oil in it - it's cooling.

@BorgQueenIve recently tried probiotic skincare for roseacea and it has made a difference. Although current moisturiser is melting in the heat. But maybe worth a try for you?

I’m presuming you barely sweat because I could never get away with natural deodorant like Wild in this weather 😮

Only thing that stops me sweating is Nivea Pearl & Beauty roll on. I put it on straight out the shower after drying off. I tried everything, including some expensive brands designed for sweaty people but nothing beats it.

I embrace the messy hair look, claw clip or messy bun. Lightest floaty clothes possible. Linen culottes and some floaty light Warehouse tops I got years ago. I stick with suncream, eyebrow pencil and Glossier tinted lip balm, though depends on how much I'll be outside.

Best tip is spring water mist, by Evian or La Roche Posay (Evian is much cheaper). I spritz it to cool down if I have to be out and about. Perfect for the bus, train, or travelling generally. The can keeps the water nice and cold. It's great if you have irritated or red skin as well. I also use it between layers of skincare to lock in moisture. Tap water in a misting bottle just doesn't cut it and I will die on that hill.

Edit to add best thing to feel less sweaty on your armpits is to let your hair grow a bit. I give up on shaving rashes and the upkeep of it all a few years ago. I smell less and feel less sweaty. I didn't expect that, I was expecting the opposite. I know a lot of people still have an issue with body hair on women but I honestly don't give a shit.

I can recommend waxy 96-hour deodorant, e.g. Sure Maximum Protection. After decades of using the aerosol stuff, I concluded that it actually makes me sweat more. It might be that I react badly to the perfumes or other chemicals.

Hair up
Waxed body hair
Nothing on skin except a light facial spf50 on the most exposed and sensitive parts of face
Long loose clothes
Stay out of sun

I am wearing maxi dresses in a shirt style mainly. Viscose seems to be the coolest as even linen is too heavy in 30c+. I am not too worried about spf as I avoid the sun in this weather. I do wear a spf 50 on my face daily though. I am still wearing a light makeup and although I am sweating it doesn’t come off( Boots No7 or Lisa Eldridge foundation).I have a 🪭 in my bag which is great and I regularly run the underside of my wrists under the cold tap which really helps to cool.

Would old fashioned talc help? I’ve been using it in all the sweaty areas!…

I have a long day today - two hours on a train, then a trip out to the Peak District, then a play, then drinks out. As I’m a hugely sweaty person I’m feeling genuinely fortunate that I have exactly the right clothes to cope with the rather scary weather forecast.

For the travel and outdoor part of the day I’ll be wearing a wonderful short sleeved shirt from Margaret Howell MHL. (With another pair of inherited linen trousers.) From the photos you’ll see it’s a woven cotton - almost crunchy, allowing all the air to pass through it. When I bought it a couple of years ago I couldn’t tell just how excellent the fabric was until it arrived.

For the evening I’m taking a several years old Loulou de Saison dress - ankle length knitted ribbed silk and cotton. It’s perfect for summer evenings.

Wild deodorant makes even me, a non sweater, smell within a working day. Crap stuff.

I’m reminded lately of a quote from Jane Austen (in one of her letters IIRC).

‘This heat! It keeps one in a permanent state of inelegance!’

I use full make up as I look ghostly and unwell otherwise.
LRP sunblock spf50, a long-wear light foundation, and Laura Mercier powder. Long wear cream eye shadow, lip gloss or lippie.

Luckily I work from home so don't need office type clothes.

Out and about it's a floaty cotton dress with short sleeves or linen wide legged trousers and a cotton T or blouse.

EVY Suncream is a foam rather than cream and doesn't leave any sticky/slimey residue. They do body and face ones and I am sure they didn't leave yellow marks (sorry cant remember 100%!). Felt quite nice on the skin!

I know you said you're not keen to wear lighter colours, but they will keep you cooler as dark colours attract the sun and will make you feel hotter. I feel like we are all in the same boat - don't be hard on yourself! 💕

The problem I have with lighter colours is that I or my kids always get them messy. Maybe it's a one for when mine are older.

Have you tried Soolantra @BorgQueen? It was a game changer for me.

I found an online shop called oceania legends who make scarves and bandanas from lovely fabrics for £6.99 each , I’ve ordered a white one and a cream one in cotton broderie anglaise to take away, I figure I can wet them in the water fountains and they will look nicer around my neck than cooling towels which are all bright colours and belong in the gym.
I’ve also bought a big, stretchy soft headband / headscarf like you see Spanish and Italian Women wearing at the beach, I found it on Kite clothing. Nothing worse than hair on your neck and forehead in this heat. Keeping it on will be a challenge though, my head is stupidly flat at the back, if I try tying a scarf it just falls off.

I’ve just ordered Soolantra from an online pharmacy - £50!

My GP would only prescribe Rosex, which doesn’t work for me.

Are you using a strong deodorant like Mitchum? Absolute life saver!

Im a fan of covering all skin. If I have a T-shirt on, I carry a cotton shirt I can wear over the top if I need to go outside - this all negates the need for body spf. Means I can wear white t shirts without worrying about sweat patches or yellow suncream marks. Wide leg trousers. My face is another issue. My face is like a tomato in the heat. I wear spf and a green primer and wear sunglasses. Some people just have skin that suits warmer climates!

Haven't RTFRT but agree with @butnotlikethatanymore that broderie anglaise is great for the heat as you can wear a t-shirt or long-sleeved shirt and still feel cool, and the little holes let some air through 😀 I like M&S cotton broderie anglaise - there's loads on Vinted.

My général tips:
-find a facial sunscreen that you like and is relatively mattifying (La Roche Posay always a good place to start)
-tint eyebrows and bit tubing mascara - I love No7 Lash Perfect
-try a silk bonnet at night, especially if you have curly hair, as it helps with frizz (your head might get hot though!)
-Solbari sunhats are great (M&S also has a couple of excellent wide-brim foldable hats this year)
-Cut hair shorter if poss - just seems easier in heat
-generally, don't default to smaller clothes/less clothes - sometimes it's just as cool to wear long sleeves and long trousers/skirts.
-skirts!! Now is the time for long swishy cotton skirts
-rechargeable USB fans that for in your handbag are amazing

• also mini water aerosols e.g. Evian for your handbag - spray on back of neck and wrists

-NEVER leave the house without sunglasses -IMHO, flat tan leather sandals go with most things and look the most chic - personally I avoid Doc sandals or anything clumpy of that ilk - they seem to make my ankles look puffier! -Make Waves deoderant is great