THIS IS HOW A NEW YORK WOMAN SURVIVES

WITH GLAM IN THE HEAT

It is currently so bizarre cold in New York, that I have been hesitating to turn on the heating these past mornings. What is this? Usually, at this time, it feels like you are hitting a wall. It's so hot and so humid when you walk out of your air-conditioned little house. Summer has certainly not shown its hottest side yet. So let's consider this SOS-in-heat as pre-schooling. Because August is definitely coming, and then your Havaianas (if you still wear them) will really stick to the asphalt from the heat. I say: bring on those thousands of degrees above zero…

I have decided that this summer will be different. I have paid attention to what the average New York power woman does when the temperatures shoot up so high that it becomes Sahara-hot here, and I have made a step-by-step plan.

1. Face wipes and streak-free deodorant

At first, I thought a lot of NY ladies were planning to have wild nights with strange men, but after taking another good look, I know what it is. Walk into the nearest CVS and grab a pack of on-the-go wet wipes and don't leave the house without a couple in your bag. The packaging looks a bit questionable, but the only other option is to stick tissues under your armpits. The latter is indeed not really an option. Just go for the wipes. At any moment of possible overheating, swipe one of those cloths across your sweaty armpit and finish the cooling process with a fresh load of deodorant.

2. Non-stop watermelon

Hydration is a must on days of 40 degrees. And especially on those days when it is most important, water always gets boring. Recently, I have not only been taking water but especially watermelon. Perfect for refreshing. We used to think it was just moisture. Well, not at all! It's mega healthy, good for your skin, and rich in iron, potassium, and vitamin C. And now comes the best part: watermelon never gets boring.

3. A bit of cashmere, a bit of wool

The warmer it is outside, the colder it is inside. To give an example: on the subway platform (which you should actually avoid in extreme temperatures), you almost melt into the tracks, but in the subway itself, you freeze from the cold. Now I understand why I see all those New York ladies hopping around with stuffed cashmere sweaters or other warm items in their bags. So, as contradictory as it sounds, always have some wool or something warm.

4. SPF with a tint

Yesterday, I walked out a bit dressed up for an outing. As usual, with a small and as inconspicuous as possible dab of foundation. About 10 minutes later, it was gone. All of it. I think evaporated, because hallelujah, it was so hot. My favorite makeup guy started laughing when I came to him with this problem. ‘Girl, you putting this on in the sun?! You is crazy!“ With a load of new facial products, he came, including an old favorite in my boudoir: Lancaster sunscreen with a tint. Yes! That's good! At first, you think: I'm transforming myself into a felt-tip pen brown cartoon character, but really, it's beautiful. Just the right glow and also protected against the sun and wrinkles.

5. Avoid sweaty fabrics

We know that synthetic fabrics stick, but silk dresses are also something you should definitely leave hanging in the closet. A few weeks ago (when it was really suffocating), I was sitting with a friend on a rooftop terrace at a bar, having wine. It was Tuesday, so it was just one glass. Afterwards, my friend stood up, and guess what? That dress was no longer light blue, but dark blue. So avoid these fabrics, or… just stand all day. Also an option.

6. Waterproof everything

My US friend said recently: I only do waterdicht in de zomer. And even though I'm not a fan of waterproof mascara, I now understand why it's quite a must. Especially when you are wandering around the city all day. My rule is: everything that is black must be waterproof. So your eyeliner, mascara, that kind of stuff. I still find scrubbing that off in the evening a crime. Anyone have a better solution?

7. Get out of the city

Actually, this is the best and only solution that almost every New Yorker applies as often as possible on the weekend: get out of the city. I therefore find New York in winter the ‘real’ New York. In summer, everyone is gone. Tourists take over the cribs rented out by New Yorkers through Airbnb. Those, in turn, go chill (and beer pong) in The Hamptons. Or in another place on Long Island. Or in a completely different place like Miami, which is only a few hours of flying away. What a tough life in that heat…