The heat is on ladies.....the summer is well and truly here it seems, and the temperature has been soaring these last few days!  And while most peole enjoy the warm weather, it can be difficult to choose what to wear because the humidity makes it very sticky and uncomfortable, and we end up looking a hot mess!  Also it can play havoc with the hair, especially if like me, you were born with curls.  So I have some tips on how to handle those unruly curls too!

So based on the sizzling temps of late I thought I would offer a few tips on how to keep cool and still look cool during the summer months.....

Do white clothes really keep you cool in the summer?  The answer is a resounding YES!  Black materials absorb heat whereas lighter shades reflect it.  At least that's part of the equation.  The other factor is the material.  Natural fibres tend to keep you cooler than synthetic fabrics.  Linen is especially good in hot humid conditions as the natural flax fibres help to wick moisture away from the skin.  That aids the cooling, evaporative effect of sweating.  I love linen and wear it all the time, whether it be pants, shirts, skirts or dresses.  To me they represent summer and comfort!  Some people don't like the fact that linen creases so easily - I say don't sweat it, it's supposed to have that wrinkled look and looks fine like that!

Another tip for staying cool during the summer months is to try to wear loose, comfortable clothing. Tight fitting jeans and skintight tops will not help you keep cool ladies, so instead opt for feminine, flowy tops or tunics with linen pants, or brightly patterned flowy summer dresses.  Comfortable does NOT mean shapeless though, so please remember this when choosing your outfit!  There are endless pretty summer dresses out there to choose from, and all you need to do is add a couple of accessories to finish off your look.  A great pair of sandals and jewellry and you'll look great!  And as I've mentioned in previous posts, tunics always look good and there are many to choose from whether simple designs or bright & bold with embellishments.

Now, as far as keeping your hair tame during this time of year, I would recommend if like me, you have very curly hair, you invest in getting a Keratin treatment.  It is expensive, but you only need to have it done every four months and for women like me who have fought with their hair for years, it will change your life!  It really does help keep the frizz at bay and makes your hair much more manageable during those humid days!  If you can't afford to get this treatment done at a salon, you can now buy at-home kits over the counter in most pharmacies.  There are some good ones out there from what I've heard that claim to last for up to 30 days.  Alternatively, if you really don't like the idea of this, another thing I do on the days when I don't have the time or energy to fuss with my hair is just slick is back into a bun!  It will look sleek and elegant and you don't have to worry about the frizz!

Now I know that when the sun is out it's tempting to show more skin ladies, but please remember to be cautious of what & how much you show!  Remember what I always say....less is more!  I've seen a lot of women wearing shorts the last few weeks, and all I'm saying is that some of them had no business wearing them!  There comes a point in life when it just looks inappropriate and tacky, so please if you MUST wear shorts, choose a longer pair like a Bermuda short that is more flattering and slimming.  The same applies to cleavage ladies....a little goes a long way!  Showing some cleavage can look sexy, but too much and it becomes tacky!  So make sure if you are showing some boobage, that you're wearing a good fitting bra that has support, and that you're wearing a pretty camisole too maybe with a touch of lace.  That is far more attractive than letting it all hang out!

So, now you know how to stay cool, keep your hair looking great, and how to look sexy and not tacky for the summer, get out there and enjoy the sun!!