We’ve all been there. You’re having the time of your life on holiday, whether you’re relaxing on a Greek beach, sipping a cocktail in Bali or shopping in New York in high summer. You’re snapping selfies left, right and centre. You’re not worried; you know you looked fine before you left the hotel room. But when you glance at the image on the screen you see it’s not quite the holiday look you were going for thanks to the humid climate.
However, there are a few things that can help to ensure that you keep looking cool even when the heat is high and the Flexicover team has pulled together its top tips.
Wear lightweight fabrics, avoid nylon
The best way to avoid looking sweaty in scorching destinations is to ensure your body is as cool as possible. Linen is a top choice: it’s loosely woven, which gives it that breathable quality that allows heat to escape from your body, and it absorbs moisture and dries quickly, keeping you as sweat-free as can be. Cotton is another popular material for hot weather destinations, where lighter colours work better in case of excess perspiration. Top tip: lightweight materials tend to crease easily so don’t forget your travel iron or see if your hotel has one available. In terms of the worst fabrics to pack, nylon is the top contender as it traps heat and sweat to your body so best avoided.
Heat-proof your makeup
If you’re a makeup enthusiast, then the traditional advice of going barefaced on vacay isn’t likely to work for you. Instead, keep it minimal at the beach - think bb cream and lip balm – and in the evenings, prep is key when it comes to ensuring all your make-up remains where it belongs. Cleanse thoroughly, before using a light toner and lightweight, water-based moisturiser - your skin will produce more moisture in a hot destination, so you don’t need to go as heavy on hydrating your skin. Primer is a must. Pack a waterproof mascara and keep smudge-prone eyeliner light, focusing instead on fun eyeshadow colours or a bold lip and last but not least use a setting spray.
Protect your hair from sun damage
While the sun might make your hair look fabulous - hello natural highlights - it also does a fair amount of damage. Exposure to sunlight dries out your hair big time, and the resulting look is rarely glamorous. As well as donning a chic hat or a vintage headscarf (think more Audrey Hepburn, less Dot Cotton) to avoid too much exposure, pack a deeply moisturising hair mask perfect for a pamper session ahead of a night out. And avoid hot styling tools as far as possible - these will strip your hair of the moisture you’re working so hard to put back into it. In terms of taming the flyaways – which come out in full force in humid weather - a smoothing hair serum can work wonders, especially when coupled with de-frizz shampoo and conditioner.
Get your hat and sunglasses combo on point
When it’s hot out you’re going to be wearing your hat and sunglasses most of the day. Not only do these key holiday accessories protect you from the sun, they can also cover up any heat-related aesthetic nightmares such as frizzy hair or smudged makeup. Taking the time to find a hat and a pair of sunnies that you really love will make all the difference to your holiday glam. Remember, whether you’re sightseeing, on the beach, or enjoying lunch, you’re going to be snapped in them again and again. If you have the budget to splash out on anything, it should be these mainstays of your holiday wardrobe, which have the power to step up whatever ensemble you’re wearing.
Accessorise, heavily
When you’re spending the day in the sun, it’s best to keep clothes cool, simple, and light in colour. Especially when you have a limited travel wardrobe to work from, this is where accessories come in. A beautiful watch, statement earrings or a smattering of chic bangles is all it takes to elevate your outfit from dull to ultra-sophisticated. Meanwhile, accessories such as scarves and headbands come in handy to keep your hair from your face. Here’s a tip to avoid tangled-up jewellery while on the move: buy a pack of paper straws, cut to size, and thread your necklaces and bracelets through them. This stops them from knotting – and all the pain, effort and time that comes with it.
If you’re planning to head away to the heat this year it’s good to know that Flexicover Travel Insurance is committed to providing you with the highest level of protection to ensure you are safe and secure 24 hours a day when away.
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