Heatwave Secrets of Women Who Always Look Cool

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Hot enough for you? The temperature’s sizzling, the humidity is soaring and the A/C is cranked up. So how come you’re a hot mess while your best friend, work colleague and that woman behind

you in the Starbucks line are all cool as cucumbers? The truth is, preparing for steamy weather is a lot like getting ready for hurricane season. It requires think-ahead strategy, a few new

purchases and a willingness to alter your usual routine. Here are six ways to chill now:

Ross and Kristen Wiig Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Photo by Rocco Spaziani/Archivio Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images; Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic; Photo by Raymond

Hall/GC Images)

It never fails. The combo of heat and moisture in the air are guaranteed to produce a sweaty scalp and hair that’ll go limp, frizzy or out of control the minute you step outdoors. You might

be tempted to wear a baseball cap till September or opt for a sledgehammer approach to taming texture with a salon keratin straightening (with a no-formaldehyde formula, of course). But the

first lacks style chops and the second (though it does work) is pricey at $200 to $400 and doesn’t always play well with mature hair that’s thinning, dry, damaged or chemically processed.

Instead try one of two weatherproof hairstyles and the new category of lightweight frizz-fighters that seal in moisture, seal out humidity better than your old serums. Those with

medium-to-long hair can’t lose with a polished ponytail (even a short stubby one!) and a pair of statement earrings or glam sunglasses. Ready for a change? Chopping to a classic (and

trending) bob keeps your nape cool and maintenance low (aside from trims). Both styles look great air-dried, wavy, textured or blown sleek. For a smooth, glossy finish, depend on a

heat-activated blow-dry spray like Nexxus Epic Shine Anti Humidity Spray ($18, walgreens.com), IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Styling Spray ($34, ulta.com) and Color Wow Dream Coat

Supernatural Spray ($32, sephora.com) that repels moisture and seals the look till your next shampoo. If you prefer to enhance natural waves on an air-dried bob or ponytail, try a styling

cream like Sun Bum Revitalizing Air Dry Cream ($14, cvs.com) with botanical oils — in this case, sunflower seed and banana.

(Left to right) IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Styling Spray; Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray; Sun Bum Revitalizing Air Dry Cream Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Target; Ulta;

CVS)

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Be realistic. Anything that fits like a glove, has a high neckline, is made of a dense fabric like denim or is overly structured will leave you wilting and wishing for a shower. That’s why

women in the know always opt for roomier clothes that flow or at least hang away from the body to allow perspiration to evaporate and keep you cool. Edit fabrics first by choosing

lightweight cotton, linen, rayon (also called viscose but made from wood pulp) and modal (a type of rayon) or their blends. Stick to styles that breathe too. On the OK list: breezy

sundresses, pumped up midi dresses, and skirts and shirtdresses that billow. Look for sleeves that are wide, fluttery or cut low at the armholes in a dolman style, tunic tops, oversized

button-downs, wide-leg pants cropped at the ankles or flared, open necklines like Vs, squares and cleavage-avoiding scoops — and of course off-the-shoulder anything!