From sunburn and sweating, wasps and wedgies can all be prevented with some strategic solutions.

Worrisome Wasps”If you eat near still water, more insects will appear than if there’s some kind of breeze,” according to Ben Quinn of Woodfired Canteen. However, mother nature provides its own dining hall; you should accept others at your table. Add jam or another food source with sugar as sacrifices to their god, wasps will then focus their attention there instead of you! He adds: “Smoke tends to deter insects so they tend to avoid it altogether”. Simon Stallard, chef and owner of Cornwall’s Hidden Hut Cafe, recommends waiting until the very last second before opening anything sugary: cakes, fizzy beverages or condiments such as ketchup are likely to attract them more readily than anything else.” Dr Sharon Marlowe, an infectious diseases and tropical medicine consultant advises: To protect from Mega Mozzies: “Try wearing loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts with long trousers, covered shoes and empty containers of still water to deter mosquitoes from laying eggs near your house”, says an infectious diseases and tropical medicine consultant. As far as chemical barriers go, Deet remains the go-to choice; other effective options that must be applied more regularly but require frequent reapplication include Picaridin-containing products (Sawyer Autan and Moskito Guard), IR3535 repellants from Jungle Formula’s Outdoor and Camping range and Kids range, or PMD repellents like Xpel. Marlowe does not agree with these alternatives: “Insect repellent stickers or patches offer minimal protection, citronella candles do little more than regular candles, and body creams cannot offer lasting solutions. Ultrasonic mosquito repellant devices and electric fly killing machines don’t offer enough value to justify spending your money, while supplementing with B1, B12 or other vitamins offers no real protection from mosquito bites or fly bites. Garlic, Marmite and drinking gin and tonic will do nothing against an ant’s nest, says Claire Ratinon of Guardian Gardening Columnists. You should first assess if removal is even necessary according to Ratinon. Ants play an essential part of our ecosystem and are preyed upon by many creatures that make welcome additions in gardens, while at the same time helping improve soil texture with their burrowing abilities. Water the nest to encourage them to relocate by creating damp conditions which make living too uncomfortable for them to want to stay. You won’t drown the ants; rather you create damp conditions they would rather live elsewhere.” If fruit flies enter your home, keep food sealed away, clean your surfaces with dilute white vinegar as this disrupts their scent trails and identify which fruit attracts them the most – an obvious choice will likely have fruit flies flocking over it – before moving it outside ideally as soon as possible so they’re more attracted towards that one instead of anything else, says Quinn. “When hosting a barbecue and flies arrive to ruin it for everyone else, have a fan in the kitchen blow over your food so it doesn’t allow any landing spots for flies to invade. This should help eliminate their presence.” Houseflies InvadingTo combat houseflies’ constant buzzing noise, Jordan McCay of the British Pest Control Association suggests “michal hygiene and promptly disposing of all rubbish”. Make sure any food is covered, place bins away from doors and windows and ensure bins don’t touch surfaces like this one. Still have issues? Consider installing fly screens or sticky fly papers; both options offer solutions to keep insects at bay.” “Summer Style Fails and How to Prevent ThemCreased LinenAccording to Jess Cartner-Morley of The Guardian’s Fashion Editor, linen has its own distinct character which may cause creasing; but you don’t have to resemble an ironing pile! Careful selection combined with elegant accessories will prevent looking like “walking ironing pile”. Linen fabric tends to crease easily where it folds, so trousers and skirts tend to be particularly unforgiving of this trait. A better way is to opt for a linen shirt with roll-up sleeves; roll them up when wearing jeans or shorts and tuck it inside for maximum impact! Accessorize with dashes of glamour: lipstick, an impressive belt or an eye-catching earring.” Cartner-Morley points out that pool chemicals can damage swimming cossies over time and recommends taking steps before diving in to lessen chlorine absorption; in particular showering beforehand as wet fabric absorbs less chlorine-laden water than dry fabric does. After swimming, “it is best to remove your clothing in the shower, rinse thoroughly and air-dry in shaded locations in order to reduce fading”.Soggy ShoesWhen the skies open up unexpectedly, find yourself sliding in an unsafe direction? With Soggy shoes designed specifically to avoid such slipperiness. “Thank Miu Miu for making boat shoes fashionable again this season!” writes Melanie Wilkinson of The Guardian’s Styling Editor Melanie Wilkinson. They look fantastic when worn with shorts, linen trousers or summer dresses and require minimal summer squints and sunburn protection – not forgetting hats of course! Wilkinson suggests wearing a three-inch wide brim to block out sun from reaching your face, ears, and neck. For something casual yet still protective she suggests bucket hat styles with strings or classic baseball caps: these might not provide as much sun protection but still remain fashionable! “Ultimately the ideal summer hats should be ones you keep wearing all season,” according to Wilkinson. Photograph by Ilka & Franz/The Guardian; Bikini bottom by Eres; Poolside Wedgie: Eres Bikini bottoms that are too tight may cause wedgies; those willing to risk wearing wedgies could opt for “cheeky silhouette bikinis that bridge the gap between traditional knicker and thong are now popular on beaches”. “Overheated in the OfficeKonnen men wear shorts to work?Depending on your attire and dress code, wearing shorts might not suffice; but for casual workplaces they might work – just not too short or sporty!” according to Helen Seamons from Guardian and Observer Menswear Editor Helen Seamons. “For casual tailored styles in darker tones, consider Cos’ Bermuda options; Luca Faloni provides smart cotton and linen fabrics; Moss has playful seersucker; while M&S’ new X Collection worn off the pitch by England at Euro 2016 features tailored shorts.” Gareth Southgate may approve, so why should we? “Yellow sunscreen stains on clothingWendy Graham of Moral Fibres suggests an eco-friendly washing-up liquid which “breaks down grease and oils that make up the stain. Cold water should be used to wet clothing before applying a drop directly onto any spots that need treating, then scrub with a toothbrush for stain removal. Rinse in cold water then perform your regular laundry detergent cycle – cool settings work better as hot washes will set stains more permanently.” Travel Dramas – and How to Overcome Them
While any incident needs immediate treatment, Dr Charlotte Russell of Travel Psychologist recommends washing in cold water with shampoo in preparation of long journey days as soon as they arise. “By acknowledging this stress-inducing journey ahead, we can prepare better,” according to Charlotte Russell a clinical psychologist and founder of Travel Psychologist. “Plan rest stops and activities if driving; or on public transit, have an assortment of diversions: podcasts, books or magazines, music or puzzles available as diversions.” Take care not to overstretch yourself before your trip; otherwise you risk spending most of the first days trying to relax and unwind. Rip off airport travel costs at onceBandwagon at paying high airport-specific express train fares? Hilary Osborne, consumer and money editor for The Guardian states it may be less expensive to take public transit or call upon local cab companies when travelling as a family. Driving yourself can often be the costliest solution due to parking charges at airports; public transit could save time as well. Arriving exhausted and anxious to reach your accommodation can make it easy to be taken advantage of, so do your research beforehand. Most major airports provide low-cost bus services into town; provided it’s not early hours you should likely find onward transportation available from these. Google or Apple Maps will show the route they suggest; hosts may offer help and some hotels even have shuttle services that may make travel more convenient. Are your kids driving you insane on transit? To reduce stress levels on the journey, relax the limits on screentime, snacks or treats as it won’t have any long term negative impacts for their development; according to Emma Hepburn of A Tool for Your Emotions fame. “Flying can make children feel special – my daughter remembers only our flight from Toronto to New York with its limitless screen time and food service!” Jen Carr-Paias of Travel Mum agrees: the key to successful family travel is breaking most of the rules! Do you need your iPad for four hours on the flight? No problem. How about that third bag of crisps when queuing for check-in? No issue either. When our son wants to do laps around the room while waiting in line? Great. Finally, set the vibe. “Children pick up on energy from their parents – if they sense you becoming stressed they begin feeling the same.” “Tantrums at 33,000 Feet” If children become tired and cranky, Hepburn suggests not worrying what others think; focus instead on them alone and plan ahead and strategise to combat any behavior issues they might present with. Discuss with travel companions how you will respond if a child becomes upset, making sure you have resources available (for instance a backpack filled with their favorites and little surprises) along with comfort measures like bear, plasters and wipes as backup plans in case an upset child emerges. Osborne states, “Every airline seems to charge differently for carry-on and hold luggage charges; an expensive ticket might offer good value if it includes a case. Measure your bags then use scales to weigh them before splitting up your costs equally and being economical with space.” “Can a family member who travels light but has a bag entitlement bring onboard with them some items for use during flight? What may you bring as carry-on or wear?” if your bag weighs too much when arriving at an airport, do a weight check – my friend once paid extra baggage fees only to realize he had accidentally packed water instead! “Money mishaps”Exchange rates at airports rarely offer competitive exchange rates but you might not need physical cash either! “Do your research,” Osborne advises. For cash transactions, Money Saving Expert’s Travel Money Max provides cost comparison. Starling and First Direct offer cards which allow for unlimited withdrawals overseas as options for payments and withdrawals.” Some banks provide ways of keeping charges under control: for instance, Lloyds offers an affordable solution where users pay PS7 each week in order to use their card like it’s their home address and avoid nasty surprise fees and costs. As soon as traveling overseas with ATM withdrawals is the goal, be wary of local bank charges and use local currency instead of sterling for payment. When purchasing items in airport shops like magazines and newspapers with fixed price tags or things you have forgotten are likely more expensive,” Osborne advises against shopping there. Duty free offers “generally poor value”, while airport and flight food is expensive; cereal bars, sandwiches and a reusable water bottle should be packed as snacks in your carry on bag to save on expenses at both airport and flight terminals.When it comes to car rental costs “don’t purchase extra insurance policies that car hire companies offer; opt instead for standalone excess coverage which is much cheaper,” Osborne advises. Make sure to inspect and photograph any damage before driving away, so no one tries to blame you for something you weren’t responsible for. Remember most airlines allow passengers to bring along a free car seat instead of renting. Swimming stresses: and how to overcome them* Stinky sewage waterIt may seem odd that we need help finding suitable places where to swim clean water, yet here we are.” Kirsty Davies, Community Water Quality Manager with Surfers Against Sewage suggests downloading the Safer Seas and Rivers Service app for pollution alerts, Kirsty recommends staying clear of heavy rainfall areas while following your nose to stay safe: if any foul odor or strange sightings exist don’t venture in.” Avoid drinking polluted seawater directly, since ingesting it is the primary source of illness; you could also exit with it on your hands and consume something, making you sick; broken skin can become infected too easily if exposed. Travel expert Rosie Bell suggests using the “buddy system” to keep valuables safe. “My strategy involves seeking out families or solo travellers and offering to act as their eyes and ears in exchange for something small in return. For the shy or self-conscious traveller, decoys may help too – for example using an empty sunscreen bottle as cover when placing small valuables such as keys or cash inside it.” Decoy hairbrushes, bottles, beach towels and even skipping ropes with hidden compartments exist on beaches today – be vigilant of where and how you set up camp! “If your beach offers lifeguard service, situate near its tower; thieves tend to operate more cautiously near someone whose job it is to remain vigilant.” Daniel Start, author of Wild Guide South West England, recommends hiding items behind rocks “while remaining visible when swimming. Another strategy would be leaving an obvious pile where things seem nearby but with unappetising contents – like leaving underwear lying about. “Sand in Your BitsThe internet offers numerous tips about applying talcum powder, but Bell insists the process can be much simpler. He notes that dry sand is easier to brush off than wet, sticky sand; therefore it would be wiser to let sunlight do its work first before trying to shake it away manually.” Pack your belongings in mesh beach bags as their holes allow sand to pass through more freely, then shake out before leaving the beach to minimise transference of any additional sand particles. Dining Disasters and How to Eat in the HeatSandy and Sweaty SandwichesNostalgic it may be, but crunching down on warm cheese sandwiches laden with grains of sand is far from optimal.” “To use your portable grill properly on the beach” – and not use disposable barbecues which could run out before everything has cooked through – “a small portable grill is best suited to cooking sausages for eating with bread, or put an entire brie cheese into an individual pan and have cheese fondue. Stallard of The Hidden Hut advises reducing onions until they become sweet, or cooking down onions to create sweet sauce. Think beyond sandwiches: on rainy days bring along soup from last night’s curry or start the day right by starting it all over with porridge on a beachfront location – these ideas could all provide fuel. Photo credit Ilka & Franz/The Guardian. Food styling: Ben BoxallBurnt sausagesAccording to Quinn, people often assume cooking on fire requires using much higher temperatures than their kitchen cooking pot. But by starting when coals or flames turn orange or black you will impart its bitter flavor into your food and ensure its rich flavors of carbon remain. “Waiting until coals turn white with minimal smoke release produces something special – food takes on its full flavor as its own juices cook into it. For an extra sweet finish, put some brownies in an aluminum basket on the last embers.” Quinn suggests using either a kettle barbecue, the ProQ Flip’n Grate or sustainable charcoal from National Coppice Federation website; for warm wine use an insulated bottle bag placed in the freezer overnight according to Debbie Warner from Wild Wine School. Accept bag-in-box wine because glass requires high energy production and recycling costs; don’t discriminate against cans (Warner rates Candour). Transport your wine in a cooler with reusable ice blocks before pouring directly into a glass “exposing it to oxygen will allow the flavors of the wine to open up”.If the meal contains undercooked or questionable meats be patient – they might take time. “Any time that it takes four seconds or less for your hand to heat up when placed within six inches of a charcoal grill, that temperature is too hot,” Quinn advises. Ideally, waiting six to eight seconds would allow sufficient cooking time as your fire becomes quieter, calmer and cooler resulting in longer cooking times overall. If a sausage takes 20 minutes in an oven, then on a barbecue it takes half that long.” There are three methods for checking meat is ready: visual, touch and digital.” When cooking chicken thighs for example there will usually be pink juices or an obvious bone showing if more time needs to be put in before being declared ready.” From 75-80C is considered optimal with meat thermometers; you should aim for “limp salads”. Look for ingredients which thrive at room temperature over an extended marinating time period for best results. “Our specialty lies in making chargrilled salads; for instance, courgette resting atop roasted tomato, chilli peppers and golden raisins drizzled in olive oil and cider vinegar,” Quinn states. “These dishes could sit all day without losing their appeal!” Do your vegetables while waiting for the coals to reach a suitable temperature to cook proteins; that way you won’t waste energy, carbon or time! Need crunchy lettuce right away? No problem: just throw in an additional veggie! Pack an ice-cream tub with some water and add one bag of ice, submerge an iceberg or little gem into it, then finish by dressing with lemon. This combination creates the ultimate crispy fresh salad to complement smoky barbecue flavors.” Garden Nightmares and Solutions” by Alice Vincent from Guardian gardening columnist is designed to address such nightmares by gathering pots “together on trays filled with water and gravel in the shade”. This can reduce stress over your landscape eroding into scrubland. Water first and last thing, with “long drenches to the soil rather than showers”. Leave your lawn alone: allow it to grow freely with faith that its green-up will come soon enough after rain returns. Bubbling SlugsARE YOU EXHAUSTED OF SLUGS, snails, aphids AND CATHERPINES DEPLETING YOUR PRODUCTS? Are they eating away at your harvests like hungry little maggots? Don’t fret–there may still be ways out. Vincent says it all connects together: when left to its own devices, insects in general will take care of themselves: ladybirds come out to devour any remaining aphids; apply nematodes as long-term solutions against snails; use beer traps temporarily until you find something more effective – or recognize defeat: insects play an essential part in gardens! As Ratinon suggests, when drought hits and there’s nobody there to water your garden while you’re gone, consider adopting an ancient practice known as an Olla (an unglazed terracotta vessel buried nearby your plants and filled with water that slowly seeps out through cracks in its structure)” Ollas can provide much-needed support by slowly dispensing moisture through tiny openings at their bases – similar to drip irrigation but without all the hassle.” Simply seal off the drainage hole of a terracotta pot and find an attractive lid to place over it.skip past newsletter promotionSign up now for Inside Saturday to gain exclusive insight behind-the-scenes of Saturday magazine publishing! Subscribe now for exclusive content written by top writers as well as all of our must-read articles and columns, delivered right to your inbox each weekend!Please be aware that newsletters may include information regarding charities, online ads or content funded by outside sources – for more details please see our Privacy Policy. Google ReCaptcha helps protect our website, with their Privacy Policies and Terms of Service being applicable here as well. when mailing newsletter promotions come out. after newsletter promotion comes out when newsletter promotions endWilting plants Have your prize-winning blooms become sad sticks? Ratinon suggests looking out for signs of life before discarding. “To care for woody perennials like hydrangeas or rosemary, remove some ailing growth while searching for live wood. Cut back to it before waiting.” For annuals such as flowers or bulbs, she recommends giving them “a generous drink”, and when some parts turn limp to firm simply cut back damaged leaves/stems/leaves while continuing watering and crossing your fingers for their success. “Hosepipe bans” If you have not installed a water butt yet, make it part of your autumn to-do list, advises Ratinon. Use household water efficiently by recycling it while protecting soil with mulch layers to preserve their quality and keep soil covered from erosion. Additionally, when selecting plants to plant in your yard or garden it’s essential that they’re selected carefully – perennial plants – such as raspberries, blackcurrants, marjoram, sorrel – typically require far less water once established compared to annual crops such as corn. “Home-Alone Houseplants and How to Save ThemPlan Ahead and Enlist HelpAccording to Guardian houseplant expert Gynelle Leon, even well-meaning plant sitters can harm your plants unless detailed instructions on when and how often each type of plant needs watering are left with them. Give them a thorough soaking prior to leaving and, if no one can assist, use self-watering pots or glass watering globes as alternatives for helping out. Relocate and groupImmediately move plants away from windows where direct sun may scorch their leaves; place together on tables where there will be light but no direct sunrays directly upon them. Increase humidity to minimize water loss in your plant environment by creating an ideal microenvironment that has low transpiration. Revive a half-dead plantPlants are resilient creatures; even half-dead ones often make an impressive comeback! Simply trim away any dead or damaged leaves before checking whether their roots remain firm and white: this could save it! Soak in water for 30 minutes, drain thoroughly and move to an indirect light spot; monitor closely. Hot Dogs and Cats – and How to Protect Them Hydrate ThemVet Michael Lazaris suggests leaving bowls of cool fresh water throughout your house and garden filled with ice cubes as well as adding splashes of liquid with meals for optimal hydration. “To create the ideal experience, fill a large ice tray with water and add in your dog’s favourite treats; or mix in bone broth; place in the freezer. Additionally, fill some toys with wet dog food or peanut butter suitable for canines and place these too – these will stay cold.” “Change Their Walking ScheduleAvoid strenuous exercise by walking early or late, ideally through wooded areas or parks featuring water features such as fountains or ponds – though be wary not to overexcite as dogs may overheat this way”. Lazaris notes that hot pavement can burn their soft pads. “If the pavement is too hot for your hand to bear, then it will likely also be too much for your pet,” Lazaris states. “To instantly cool them” Lazaris recommends “draping wet towels over your dog or letting him/her lie on one, keeping windows open, placing a frozen water bottle near an electric fan or wrapping one in a towel and leaving on their bed,” and placing an electric fan nearby to circulate airflow around them.” Outdoors, create a water park: “Paddling pools, sprinklers and water games can keep your dog cool while providing stimulation if they can’t go on longer walks. Groom Your Dog To Remove Excess Heat Trapping Fur Lazaris advises brushing your dog regularly to rid him of excessive fur that traps heat, while applying pet-safe sunscreen on sensitive areas like his nose and ears (especially if he has white fur), to help ensure they avoid sunburnt noses or ears (dogs can easily become sunburned! )When It Comes to Cats “Cats are generally more wise than dogs but can still become overheated if they have long or thick coats or flat faces or health issues,” according to Lazaris. Provide plenty of fresh water. Add ice cubes to bowls of water, as well as adding it directly into meals or mixing boiled chicken or tuna with water and freezing in an ice tray for quick freezing times. “Summer Health Woes – and How to Tackle Them”, by Nighat Arif (author of “The Knowledge: Your Guide to Female Health from Menstruation to the Menopause”) “But please ensure babies, infants and elderly individuals do not become cold. Once skin has cooled sufficiently, apply after-sun or aloe vera creams – never oils, body butters or petroleum jellies” and use loose-fitting clothing. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids; and take painkillers as necessary.” “With children, use SPF50 sunscreen and stay out of direct sunlight between 10am and 3pm”, as well as dressing in protective hats and sunglasses to stay protected against sun-induced infections such as swimmer’s ear. Ear and Eye InfectionsDon’t let fun pool days turn into swimmer’s ear nightmares! “To protect against ear infections, wear earplugs or use cotton wool balls soaked with Vaseline to mould to the outer parts of your ear,” advises Arif. If water gets inside your ears despite efforts at tipping your head backwards or trying other solutions such as hairdryer drying at low settings and at least 30cm away – they could both help. Avoid sore eyes by wearing goggles and taking steps post-swim to flush burned areas using eyewash solution or tap water for 15 minutes, before applying lubricating eye drops (photo: Ilka & Franz/The Guardian and Linda Farrow sunglasses respectively). In terms of jellyfish stings, Arif recommends keeping calm: “Try not to panic and use antidotes instead”. Marlowe advises against touching the affected area with bare hands as this exposes more stingers embedded within skin; fresh water causes these venom-filled stingers to release additional poison; therefore soaking for 30 minutes in seawater could break down toxic waste products more effectively and dissolve away faster. Arif suggests using tweezers or the edge of a bank card to remove spines if still present, although she recommends doing this manually rather than by hand. Don’t rub the area, take paracetamol and ibuprofen, and call an ambulance if the victim has swelling in his/her tongue and lips, is breathless, hoarse or dizzy, losing consciousness or experienced an eye or large area sting.” Marlowe recommends against “peeing, using vinegar, or applying ice on it”, noting it may take time before any relief occurs and pain and itching subside. Weever Fish StingsBuried in sand beds, Weever fish have long been known to shoot up black dorsal fins upon being disturbed – inflicting painful weever fish stings onto unsuspecting feet with its toxic venom-filled bodies. Marlowe suggests immersing affected areas with hot water as hot as you can safely tolerate for 10-15 minutes and using tweezers to remove spines with tweezers if they appear, before applying swimming shoes as the most effective form of protection from underwater organisms. Swimming shoes offer additional defense from aquatic insects. When dealing with grass pollen allergies, Arif suggests taking an oral antihistamine along with eyedrops and nasal steroid spray before symptoms worsen – “and take all appropriate action before symptoms worsen”, Arif advises. “To reduce pollen exposure, try not hanging laundry on the line where its fibers can trap pollen; use allergy grade filters in both your home and car; avoid outdoor activities when pollen counts are highest; and minimize outdoor activities when pollen levels reach an extreme.” “Heat Exhaustion Precautionary steps could include taking a siesta, restricting alcohol intake, remaining hydrated and avoiding strenuous exercises as well as covering yourself up in light-coloured, loose fitting clothing with an attached hat to minimize sunburn risk. Marlowe lists early warning symptoms such as worsening headaches or throbbing headaches, nausea, dizziness, red and hot skin patches that quickly heat up in temperature as well as excessive sweating or sudden fainting as telltale indicators of trouble. “Hyperthermia may quickly escalate to heat stroke when skin feels cold and damp, difficulty walking or talking becomes challenging and there is sudden fatigue, irritability, aggression or confusion – symptoms which should prompt medical assistance to avoid heat stroke.” Heat stroke should always be treated as an urgent medical situation requiring prompt assistance to address. “Remove them from direct sunlight and cool them with cold beverages or clothing soaked with cold water. “Sticky Night SleeplessnessAccording to Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, author of Tired But Wired: Sleep Expert and Author Replace spicy or rich foods, caffeine, alcohol or sugary snacks before bed with cucumber, watermelon or cold milk instead. Close bedroom curtains from midafternoon onwards; 20 minutes before sleep time place an ice cube tray in front of a fan for best results. Substituting your duvet for a thin sheet and misting it with water before placing in the fridge an hour prior to bedtime should help. Sleep “spread-eagled with feet hanging off”, and if you wake up hot, make a beeline to the bathroom to run cool water over wrists – without checking time or turning lights on”. Children may benefit from bedtime audio stories with cooling eucalyptus and menthol oil on the pillow,” suggests Ramlakhan, and for adults it could include using cooling oils containing these substances on pillows to assist sleep. When feeling lethargic or fatigued “feeling very hot can feel dangerous to our bodies”, Ramlakhan cautions. “To relax quickly, close your mouth and slowly and deeply breathe through the nose to reduce heart rate and calm nervous system activity. Beauty Woes – and How to Deal with Them Sun Cream Ruining Your Makeup”Many avoid reapplying facial SPF every couple of hours even in cloudy weather and particularly after being near water,” according to Anita Bhagwandas of Guardian Beauty Columnist/Author Ugly: Giving Us Back Our Beauty Standards. She recommends applying SPF top-up spray, designed specifically to be worn over makeup, such as Kate Somerville Uncomplikated SPF50 spray or Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF50 Reapplication Mist; these two can make application quick and simple post-swim streaks! “Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick combines concealer, foundation and powder into one waterproof stick,” Bhagwandas describes. For eyes he relies on Estee Lauder Double Wear 24 Hour Waterproof Gel Eye Pencil as his go-to product while L’Oreal Volume Million Lash Waterproof Mascara adds volume. Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint can also help soothe any dry, cracked heels that come along with wearing sandals, Bhagwandas points out. Eucerin UreaRepair Plus 10% Urea Foot Cream uses exfoliating urea to soften dry skin while simultaneously providing moisture to deliver results, she states. “To relieve severely dry, cracked feet, try Flexitol Rescue Heel Balm with 25% urea for application after socks; wear socks when possible afterwards – I like wearing mine overnight,” recommends Sal Hughes of Guardian Beauty Columnist fame as a solution for “sweaty, sliding makeup”. To maintain optimal skin health in warmer months she advises using lighter foundation. Change up your makeup look for something lighter; I recommend Ultra Violette Daydream Screen or Nars Tinted Moisturizer as they both provide decent coverage while offering some sun protection as well (though you should still use sunscreen underneath). Carry a cooling skincare mist as an instant refreshment and to avoid Salvador Dali-like looks by minimising makeup, Hughes suggests: “finish off by using very fine powder such as MAC Skinfinish Natural or Kosas Cloud Set to set any existing make up”. Photograph credit: Ilka & Franz/The Guardian. Sam Deaman provided styling throughout. Hannah Isobel Busst created hair and makeup. Model Daisy Oliphant from MOT Models appeared as our subject with frizzy locks and sweaty necks, Hughes advises. To prevent further discomfort with air drying your locks if necessary. Heatless styling balms and sprays give texture and gloss while simultaneously eliminating frizz associated with mechanical heat styling tools. Simply rub some through damp lengths, style as usual and leave to dry.” First Aid Beauty’s Anti-Chafe Stick with Shea Butter and Oatmeal and Megababe Thigh Rescue both come equipped with Pritt Stick-style twist-up moisture sticks designed for quick application of moisture across affected areas, Hughes suggests, while Wilkinson advises wearing “a simple undershort from M&S which comes as two packs.” Next step? SPF. With today’s many types available on the market today there’s no excuse not to wear sunscreen every day,” Hughes states. Children often prefer sprays while teens and adults with oily skin prefer gels; dry types often opt for an SPF product which allows them to forego additional moisturisers altogether.” To be on the safe side, consider purchasing one marketed specifically towards babies; also remember to apply enough coverage: at least two finger lengths over your face and neck area are sufficient protection.” Dr Aiza Jamil of Sk:n clinics suggests using “a gentle facial cleanser twice daily, exfoliate weekly, and using an oil-free moisturizer which provides adequate hydration without feeling heavy.” If this problem recurs regularly, try applying a small amount of facial antiperspirant containing aluminium chloride.” Natural remedies include applying witch hazel (using cotton wool), aloe vera gel or adding drops of tea tree oil mixed with water for quick results. Underboob sweat may result from wear containing moisture-wicking materials as well as not regularly washing this area with gentle cleanser products. Jamil advises wearing bras or tops made with moisture wicking materials in addition to using gentle cleanser solutions on it on an ongoing basis. Once out of the shower, carefully dry yourself thoroughly using cornstarch or an anti-chafing powder to keep skin free of sweating and keep areas driest possible. Dab some clinical strength antiperspirant under breasts as needed or use witch hazel for spot treatments as required. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and regulate body temperature, Jamil advised. In terms of clothing for sweat patches, light-coloured, loose fitting pieces made of breathable fabrics like cotton or linen were suggested by his medical practice as ways to manage their severity. Also take cool showers twice daily while applying antiperspirant in the morning and at night and using powder in sweaty patches were employed by Jamil as necessary.