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??

Cover up in loose light cotton or linen (long sleeves, decolletage and collarbone covered). Cooler than the sun on bare skin, and you don't need to bother with SPF.
Long skirts/dresses/sleeves mean no need to remove hair.

Personally I wear mostly black or navy so sweat doesn't show. Loose clothing also helps with this.

A hat when outdoors to keep you cool and shaded and help with the sweaty lip thing.

I wear trainers rather than open toes when it's particularly hot and/or I'll be outdoors a lot; cooler, and I don't have to worry about my feet or toes burning.

Think about using a parasol when out as well as/instead of a hat.

"I am old" - we see this one all the time and I expect the poster to be 100 when usually they're just past 60. You can still use primer!

COOLING FOOT GEL STUFF IS BY GREEN PHARMACY.
https://makeup.uk/product/60727/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17083805956&gbraid=0AAAAABvluwdHcM1npHArlUUuyQwK7hlsk&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjb3SBhDgARIsAMKiWzhCYeJISSBcpyhPh0aoRKao46TJkN8RWL2zlc45LHDszpd_PYeGYQYaAmkSEALw_wcB

basically I think anything with horse chestnut in will help, but the green pharmacy one is cheap and super good. The exact tube I have is called FOOT RELAXING CREAM , which might be OOS, but it has chestnut fruit extract and leaves of red grape.. very very lovely.. this brand is new to me, but I’m going to try more from them, am so impressed so far.

I’ve used Vogels venagel before, which is good. But this is quite a bit nicer and effective and not sticky at all.

I am aware that I can use primer. And fixative! It’s just that I’m not used to it and am bored by the idea of buying tons of things to test. I remember Estée Lauder released a primer when I was in my forties.. I bought it, applied it, and instantly broke out. Silicones! My skin now is very different, but I still have a horrible tendency to get a clogged pore which never wants to leave, or just spots from new products. So while I love the idea of spray fixing my make up onto my face, I’m scared of clogged pores taking up freehold residence.

@Charys The amount of products is overwhelming!

Yep, I love Mitchum roll on!! I’m suprised how natural deodorants are still popular in summer

When I wake up in the morning my underarms are suprisingly dry (& my flat was 32°c at 3am)

It’s just in this heat I sweat in all other places too and can’t apply it everywhere (eczema prone)

I use Mitchum and I bought some of the Sure whole body deodorant in a little tube (the mens' one actually) and apply that every so often under my bra/under my arms. Still sweaty but minty fresh.

Otherwise all bets are off. I have long, thick curly hair so that ends up in a bun.

I think you're overthinking the sunscreen through. You don't need any under your clothes even if thin, and you can push your sleeves up temporarily, apply it, then push them down again when dry to avoid the yellowing. Or apply before you get dressed and then barely go under your sleeve and neckline on reapplication. I've had no issues with the Lidl Sport clear spray.

I think it depends on the material of clothing

Usually thin or light coloured clothing doesn’t fully block UV. I have sensitive eczema and hyperpigmentation prone skin so I probably am more concerned than avg person when it comes to UV exposure tbf

I don't even bother.

Shiny face, sweaty everywhere and my hair looks like a dandelion clock!

Sack off make up and just wear a tinted sun screen.

Pin yoir hair back or up.

Loose cotton or linen clothes. A thin cotton scarf to wear around your neck or blot your face.

Sunglasses

And .... controversially - a base layer. I always wear uniqlo airism cami tops and they wick away any sweat and keep my core cool.

Not sure if this has already been said, but patterns I think are helpful for hiding sweat marks etc. I wouldn’t bother putting spf underneath clothes. I’d get a big hat and then you have a bit of your own shade.

Edited to say, I would rather wear a slightly thicker fabric that’s loose and not on my skin with no spf, than have exposed skin covered in spf. But that’s up to you of course.

Could you tell me which no 7 foundation please?

I'm very pale with long, thick, curly hair. I get very red and sweat easily. I don't wear much make up: spf (Roche Posay anthelios isn't shiny), waterproof mascara, a little eyeliner, a little pink blush cream. I put my hair up in the heat with extra leave-in conditioner.

I wear loose, natural fibres, with some kind of cover-up on arms, sandals. Today was a thin, cotton t-shirt and maxi skirt. Outside I always wear big sunglasses and a sunhat or cotton headscarf. A hand fan and mineral mist help me keep cool

I drip with sweat once we get to 30 degrees and my hair frizzes so much that it all but doubles in size but not in a good way. My fringe goes into vile little curls that look like snails crawling across my forehead. I can blow dry it smooth, run my straighteners over it and it looks fine. Give it 5 mins and it is a frizzy mess . SPf 50, translucent powder to try and alleviate the "glow" that actually resembles a red traffic light, pop on some sunglasses to hide eyes that are bloodshot from appalling hay fever and then I ram on a wide brimmed straw hat which hides the worst. Cotton or linen loose dresses, a paper fan and lots of tissues to deal with the sweat and the sneezing. The only bit of me that looks ok is my feet, smoothed by regular filing and foot cream and I change my nail polish to complement my outfits. Can't wait for this hellish heatwave to end, it affects the medication I am on, had bad dizzy spell yesterday and really have to pace myself.

Wild doesn't work for me either (any weather). Crystal deodorants are the best natural deodorant in my experience. You just need to give it a few days for your body to adjust. (I put this down to a detox process but, who knows?)

I favour beige patterns in this weather to distract the eye from any marks and stains. I use P20 factor 50 everywhere except my face. It leaves a faint yellow mark on clothes hence the beige choices.

Natural fabrics are non negotiable, as is floatiness. I keep hair off up off my neck.

I like tan leather strappy sandals - slightly more strappy than a flip flop, but classic enough to get away with in most settings.

try drichlor, a powder foundation (or tinted sunscreen with mineral magic or similar if you prefer a lighter coverage) a brow pen, waterproof mascara and a good exfoliant for the black dots on your legs (i recommend medicube hydroclourus (sp?) acid body peel shot, it always gets rid of mine)

I’ve been using Avene tinted sunscreen and it works well.

Been using it for years now. It works for me.

I can’t stand the smell of mitchum.
Smells really chemical to me.

Funny how different products react on different people. I love their fresh cotton and sea salt one. I never smell.

I have a very over developed sense of smell so am always aware if a deodorant isn’t working and can smell a whiffy person a mile off!

I tend to embrace the curls and use curling cream in this weather.

Just apply to very wet hair and leave to air dry, scrunch it a bit later and your curls / waves will be defined, rather than frizzy.

Much easier than battling with straighteners in the heat.

ive been cycling to work so i look like shit on arrival

I haven't even bothered to shower in the mornings tbh as it's pointless

i do go the gym about a half hour after arrving and have a shower there

I still look a bit shit tbh - pink face

i leave my baseball hat on to disguise how i look haha

I’ve been looking in awe at people cycling in this heat!

This morning I have an hour and a half free before a lunch reservation. Had thought I’d do some wandering and exploring and shopping. But in fact I think I’ll sit in this coffee shop for an hour and then find a cab. I’ve already had enough of outside today.

(Sunglasses, broderie anglaise blouse, linen trousers, loafers. No serum / oil in my hair because I don’t want it all over my face. Brows, mascara and lip gloss. Straw basket weighed down with thermos of iced water …)

I think the thing with natural companies is that Wild and the like (Lush did them too) only used to sell deodorant back in the day. So a lot of people tried them and were annoyed that they got wet patches, because of course it's not the same as antiperspirant. I want both in one in this weather. I might be tempted to give a natural one a go now they seem to do antiperspirant.