Don't get overheated - just cool it! (From Halesowen News)

Don't get overheated - just cool it!

7:00am Saturday 2nd August 2008

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BEAT the heat this summer with beauty's keep cool SOS products.

By Lisa Haynes

AS summers go, 2008 has been far from a scorcher. So when temperatures do soar to the dizzy heights of 25C plus on the thermometer, it can result in a bit of a beauty meltdown.

Sweaty skin, sliding make-up and a red flustered face don't make for a pretty picture.

But it's not difficult to stay fresh and fabulous when the climate becomes too hot to bear. Thankfully, the beauty world has all the summer saviours you'll need to beat the heat, whether you're at home or abroad.

When others around you are getting hot and sweaty this summer, you'll be instantly refreshed - and smug.

So pray for more sunshine, because with these handy heat SOS essentials it's never been easier to keep your cool.

FRESH FACED

Ditch the heavy make-up when the sunshine is blazing. Thick foundations will make you sweat and could leave you with unwelcome blocked pores and blackheads. Instead, turn to a tinted moisturiser with SPF and, for a hint of colour, stick to light powder bronzers or blushers rather than creams, which will lack staying power.

Heat-fighting essentials to keep handy in your handbag are blotting papers to soak up excess oil and shine and a face spritzer to freshen up your make-up and keep your skin hydrated.

During clammy evenings, give your face a hydrating boost with a freshening clear jelly mask. Leave in the fridge for a few hours first to bump up the cooling effect.

TRY: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser SPF20, £32 (www.spacenk.co.uk), Mac Blot Film, £10 (www.maccosmetics.co.uk), Boots No7 Really Reviving Skin Spritz, £10.75, Dove Spa Dewdrops Refreshing Mask, £20 (www.dovespa.co.uk), RMK Jelly Masks, £32, (Selfridges nationwide).

BODY COOLER

When temperatures are ultra sticky we can arrive at work in the morning looking like we've just run a marathon. Starting your day off with a tad-too-cold shower using a cooling shower gel should stop you from getting hot and flustered first thing in the morning.

Follow with a body lotion containing freshening mint or cucumber extracts to keep your skin refreshed for longer.

Anti-perspirant deodorant is a must to keep you smelling sweet but if you feel like you're going to sweat throughout the day, carry refreshing towelettes with you for an instant freshen-up.

Steer clear of musky, heavy perfumes in the heat too. Instead go for a “just-stepped-out-of-the-shower” zingy fresh eau de toilette and apply using the “cloud” method - spritz your fragrance in front of you and step through the mist to keep your whole body, hair and clothes smelling like a breath of fresh air.

TRY: QTica Smart Spa Cool Refreshing Shower Gel, £10.85 (0800 1116647), Dove Go Fresh Cucumber & Green Tea Roll-on, £1.69, Crabtree & Evelyn Citrus Travel Towelettes, £4.50 (www.crabtree-evelyn.co.uk), Bliss Minty Supercool Moisture Milk, £21 (0808 100 4151/www.blisslondon.co.uk), Davidoff Cool Water Woman limited edition Freeze Me Summer EDT, £34 for 100ml.

SWEAT-FREE FEET

Ballet pump addict, trainer fan or deck-shoe diva? Chances are your feet are really going to feel the heat caged up in shoes during the summertime, meaning you may suffer from the sweat factor.

A cooling foot lotion smoothed on before stepping into your shoes should help keep your feet cool through the day.

Even those who give their feet freedom in flip-flops may feel like their tootsies are hot and swollen after hours of pounding the pavements in hot weather.

If your legs and feet really suffer when temperatures rise, carry a cooling tonic to make your pins and feet fresh as a daisy. And after a hard day stomping around in the heat, treat your feet to a cooling foot bath. If you can bear it, add a few ice cubes to really help calm down swollen feet.

TRY: Avon Footworks Creamy Powder Lotion, £3.75 (www.avonshop.co.uk), Neutrogena Refreshing Foot Balm, £5.99 (0845 601 5789), Ren Revivo Tonic Cool Comfort Leg & Foot Gel, £18 (www.renskincare.com), Montagne Jeunesse Foot Cooler, 99p (www.montagnejeunesse.com), The Body Shop Peppermint Reviving Foot Soak, £7.

TRIED AND TESTED

WHAT: Lipomassage by Endermologie

WHERE: C2 Clinic, Hampstead, London and other salons nationwide. For your local stockist call 020 8731 5678.

HOW MUCH: Each treatment approx £60. Recommended course is 6-8 treatments.

If your bikini-clad summer is being blighted by stubborn cellulite, bring on the Endermologie. Although I'm slim, I still suffer from cellulite on my bum and thighs despite trying endless lotions and potions.

For this 45-minute treatment you have to step into a tight body stocking and a therapist massages the roller device over your problem areas, targeting issues like cellulite, water retention or localised fat.

It can feel slightly uncomfortable at times but pain lessens, along with the cellulite, with each treatment. You have to be committed and prepared to take on three treatments a week but the results are worth it.

Dimpling has visibly reduced leaving my skin looking smoother and more toned. Now, where's that bikini?

BUY IT NOW

She may be touring the country with her KylieX2008 tour but Ms Minogue has still found time to launch a new scent. Kylie Minogue Sexy Darling is available from £18.99 (27 Euros) at The Perfume Shop from July 30 (0845 601 1950/www.theperfumeshop.com).

BEAUTY BULLETIN

REVLON REIGN

Jennifer Connelly has signed up for her latest role... as ambassador for Revlon. The Hollywood actress joins a star-studded line-up of Revlon celeb faces that includes Halle Berry, Jessica Alba and Elle Macpherson.

A Revlon representative said: "Jennifer Connelly is a modern, dynamic and intelligent woman. She is an accomplished wife, mother and actress and her successes complement the spirit of the Revlon brand."

CREDIT CRUNCH?

Brits may be feeling the pinch but they aren't letting their beauty routines slide. New figures suggest women are putting the colour back into their pale, credit-crunched faces, with sales of fake tan up by over 120 per cent in the last three months at feelunique.com. Looks like we're putting on a brave - and bronzed - face!

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