Summer Survival Guide: Fashion and Beauty Tips for Sticky Days
The Guardian's fashion desk has compiled a summer survival guide with 51 tips to help readers cope with hot, humid weather. The advice ranges from clothing hacks to skin care and beauty tricks, addressing common summer struggles such as heat, sweat, frizzy hair, and chafing.
Sleeping and Cooling Hacks
Jess Cartner-Morley recommends soaking a T-shirt under cold water and wearing it to sleep when it's too hot. She notes that while it may be tough on the mattress, it effectively cools you down. Chloe Mac Donnell suggests placing a frozen hot-water bottle wrapped in a towel in bed 10 minutes before getting in, but warns against reusing it for boiling water.
Skin and Sun Protection
Morwenna Ferrier recommends Altruist sunscreen SPF50, which costs £10.50 for two 100ml tubes on Amazon and supports children with albinism in Africa. She says it sits well on the skin and she has never burned while wearing it. Ellie Violet Bramley praises Ultra Violette Future Fluid SPF50+ for its non-greasy finish, calling it a "skinscreen."
Beauty and Makeup Tips
Melanie Wilkinson advises brushing perfume through hair to make the fragrance last longer in heat. She suggests spraying the nape of the neck or a hairbrush, waiting for alcohol to evaporate, then brushing through. Sam Deaman recommends Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese blotting papers for oily skin, which remove shine without disturbing sunscreen.
Clothing and Footwear Advice
Lauren Cochrane switches to walking sandals like Teva Universals when the weather turns, finding them comfortable and durable. She also recommends Lush Super Milk dusting powder for thigh chafing. Priya Elan advises checking that T-shirts are 100% cotton or a cotton-linen mix, as natural fibres are cooler and more comfortable.
Accessories and Travel Hacks
Cartner-Morley suggests using paper fans from museum gift shops, which are lightweight and chic. She also recommends Boots Bite Relief Click-It, a bug-bite zapper that stops itching with a small electric shock. Mac Donnell advises using a packing cube for swimwear to avoid rummaging through suitcases, and Body Glide anti-chafe balm to prevent blisters from sandals.
Hair and Pedicure Tips
Bramley recommends leaning into beach hair with Davines sea salt spray, which adds texture and smells great. Cochrane prefers gel pedicures for painted toes, noting they last about three weeks, but warns not to walk on hot sand as it can melt the polish.
General Summer Strategies
Ferrier carries an extra plastic bag to the beach to fill with seawater for washing sand off feet. She also uses a linen throw instead of a bulky towel. Mac Donnell swaps cotton bedsheets for linen from Rise & Fall, which helps keep cool and doesn't need ironing. Elan advises not abandoning personal style in summer, sticking to dark colours to hide creases and feel more comfortable.
