Ok, we're all in a head-spin about this heatwave. Not only are we stuck in our homes without the office air conditioning to help ease us through, we're also experiencing the highest temperatures since records began. So, yes, you are justified in your sweaty bewilderment that you're still in the UK working, rather than next to a pool with a frozen margarita.
If you're unlucky enough to be without a trusted fan through these days of murderous heat, we have a selection of cooling beauty products and techniques for you to try, none of which involves icing your vagina (yes, that was a thing for a while).
1. Buy A Good Facial Mist
Facial mists are magical, especially if you can get hold of one with extra soothing ingredients like aloe or witch hazel. Spray on, leave the moisture to evaporate on its own* and bask in your new cool freshness.
*Evaporation takes a lot of energy, and evaporating water takes energy directly from the skin, which in turn cools you down.
ELLE Edit: Best Face Mists
Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray For Sensitive Skin
Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Spa Water
2. Put Your Entire Beauty Routine In The Fridge
Firstly, your make-up products will fare just as badly in the blazing heat as you will. Nail varnishes will separate and so will your foundation.
Keeping your moisturiser, cleanser, toner, foundation, concealer etc. in the fridge will preserve their shelf life, but it will also make for a delightfully cool application too.
Not keen on your Augustinus Bader serum sharing fridge space with the parmesan? Invest in a skincare fridge to give your beauty routine a dedicated chill out space.
ELLE Edit: Skincare Fridges
AstroAI Mini Skincare Fridge With Mirror And Light
Russell Hobbs RH4CLR1001SCW 4L/6 Can Mini Portable Cooler & Warmer
3. Freeze Your Toner
Here's a great pro tip for cooling and de-puffing your skin: pour out your toner into ice cube trays and pop them in the freezer.
Then, when it comes to that part of your cleansing and toning routine, crack out your new toner cubes and smooth them over your face.
Just don't forget that it's toner in your ice tray and accidentally put it in your Pimm's...
ELLE Edit: Best Toners
4. Get Thee A Hair Tie
Getting your hair off your neck has the same desired effect as taking your bra off at the end of the day when it comes to achieving an instant cool-off. Whilst this is all well and good, your go-to hair tie or elastic band (no judgement here), can cause hair breakage.
To combat the problem, opt for some bouji ties and throwback scrunchies that are specifically designed to do the job without any of the damage. Your locks will thank you later.
ELLE Edit: Best Hair Ties
5. Have A Quick, Warm Shower
This advice is ancient enough to seem like an old wives tale, but it's actually a sound recommendation. Warm showers trigger the body's cooling mechanisms, lowering your body's core temperature. So having a warm shower can actually be better than having a cold one, which prompts your body to raise your body's core temperature in compensation. Things like shivering, which you might do during or after a cold shower, increases aerobic respiration, which releases heat - it's actual science!
Whereas a hot shower opens your blood vessels and prompts your body's cooling mechanisms. However, if you take a lengthy hot shower and find yourself steaming up your whole apartment, you've probably thrown the baby out with the bathwater. So make it a quickie.
6. Get Yourself Some Cryotherapy Tools
Whilst Lady Gaga is famously a fan of an ice bath or two, there’s a slightly less shock-to-the-system method to get the same great chilling results: cryotherapy.
This is a treatment that involves being exposed to near-freezing temperatures to relieve muscle pain and treat a number of skin conditions. If you can't make it to your local cryo chamber (sadly, it's sometimes just not an option) there are a number of at-home kits that can provide similar benefits.
These handy cryo tools can be kept in your freezer amongst the frozen peas and then used to massage the face, to not only promote lymphatic drainage (the technique that removes toxins from the face to leave you with sharp cheekbones) but they’re also an instant way to cool down and release any jaw tension (we’re looking at you teeth grinders).
'The combination of sub-zero temperatures and the rolling sensation when used in big, circular motions stimulates the skin’s micro-circulation and lymphatic drainage for a more-awake and glowing complexion', explains super facialist, Teresa Tarmey.
ELLE Edit: Cryotherapy Tools
Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Face Mask
7. Purchase Some Cooling Skincare
Whilst all skincare can be put in the fridge for the desired effect, there are some products that are designed to be on the cool side to soothe sensitive skin and give you a tingly, cold effect.
Not only will your temperature go down but you'll also be left with fresh, dewy skin. A total win-win situation.
ELLE Edit: Best Cooling Skincare Products
8. Pop On Some Eye Gels And Go About Your Business
Even in the office, nobody is going to judge you for wearing your cooling eye patches while hard at work. Get yourself a bumper pack and slap a fresh set on with every new heatwave day.
ELLE Edit: Best Eye Gels
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches (30 Pairs)
9. Keep Aloe In The Fridge At All Times
The trusty skincare ingredient is vital in soothing stressed out skin and is a lifesaver if you’ve not applied your SPF liberally enough. It’s normally a top ingredient on the list in products designed for sensitive skin but can also come in it’s own gel-form which if you keep in the fridge, can be as refreshing as a cold shower.
ELLE Edit: Best Aloe Vera Skincare
Typology Moisturising Gel With Organic Aloe Vera & Orange Blossom
10. Swap Out Your Thick Night Cream For A Gel-Based Moisturiser
Nothing makes skin instantly sweat like a thick, heavy duty night cream when it's seriously hot outside. That being said, it’s important to keep skin hydrated, especially whilst it’s working its magic overnight.
ELLE Edit: Best Gel Moisturisers
Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Cream
Solve the dilemma by incorporating a lightweight gel formula. They instantly sink into the skin, to avoid the masking effect of an oily cream. Up the effectiveness by keeping them in the fridge during the day for double the cooling powder.
