Summer is the season when we get to spend time with friends and family enjoying the outdoors. Unfortunately, it’s also when we tend to suffer from sweaty pits, runny mascara, and chlorine-stained hair. Luckily there are a few simple tips and tricks you can use to prevent these summertime beauty woes, and we’re here to spill the deets.
Hack #1: Become besties with dry shampoo
Our head, just like our body, sweats more in the heat. A sweaty head can lead to an oily scalp, which is why dry shampoo is an absolute must in the summer. Instead of washing your hair more often, spritz your oily roots with dry shampoo and work it in with a brush.
Quick Tip: If you’re in a pinch and don’t have dry shampoo, try using a bit of shine control powder at your roots to absorb excess oils.
Hack #2: Say goodbye to sweat stains using lemons
Let’s be honest, we all get a little sweaty during the hot summer days, and that leads to pesky underarm stains on your fave shirts. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice onto the stains before washing and voila ... sweat stains are no more!
Hack #3: Tint your lashes and brows
We want to look our best at the beach or at the pool, but we don’t want to apply a full face of makeup that’s bound to melt off. Getting a lash tint will add a little extra oomph to your lashes, so you won’t have to apply mascara. Similarly, brow tinting will make your brows more defined, meaning you won’t have to fill them in.
Quick tip: Check out our tutorial on DIY brow tinting.
Hack #4: Fix your fake bake with baking soda
Whether you got a professional spray tan or did it yourself at home, there are bound to be spots where the tanner streaked or didn’t settle right. Quickly blur these areas by combining baking soda and water to make a paste, and then massaging the paste over the area you want to fix.
Hack #5: Reach for skincare with built-in SPF
Sunscreen application is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine, so why not make it easier by using products that already contain SPF? This will save time and help ensure you never forget to protect your glowing skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
Quick tip: If you’re not sure what products to use, check out our guide to SPF-infused beauty.
Hack #6: Use oil-based cleansers to wipe away waterproof makeup
Waterproof makeup is a summer must-have, but it can be tricky to remove, especially products like mascara and eyeliner. Our suggestion would be to swap your average makeup wipes or micellar water with an oil-based cleanser or makeup remover. Even oily skin-types will benefit from this swap because oil-based products wipe away makeup without disrupting the skin’s natural barrier.
Quick tip: We love the Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup Melting Butter Cleanser to remove all types of dirt, makeup, and sunscreen.
Hack #7: Exfoliate to prevent ingrown hairs and promote baby-smooth skin
I learned this life-changing hack from my waxing technician and it has kept my skin smooth and glowing ever since. Be sure to exfoliate both before and after shaving or waxing, especially in your bikini zone. Exfoliation lifts the layer of dead skin from the surface, so that your hair follicles don’t become clogged, leading to an ingrown hair. It also helps you to get a closer shave or wax.
Quick tip: We are obsessed with the Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub because it’s super affordable and comes in a variety of delicious scents.
Hack #8: Apply coconut oil or leave-in-conditioner before swimming
A day by the pool or on the beach can leave your hair dried out and damaged from the sun, sand, or chlorine. An easy way to protect your strands is by coating them with coconut oil or a leave-in-conditioner and then braiding them to prevent tangles before swimming.
Quick tip: Always wash your hair after swimming to remove any chemicals or debris that may have built up.
If you’re looking for more ways to hack your summer beauty routine, check out our guide to summer-proofing your makeup and subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up to date on all of our summer-inspired makeup tutorials.