You guys! I knoww…where have I been? Life. That’s where. Work, trips, summer. It’s all made me neglect one of my favorite things–sharing with you. Consider me back, and I’ve got a whole list of blog posts to share this month. This one couldn’t come at a better time (currently sitting in front of the air conditioner).

When it comes to heat, I’m a girl who appreciates an air conditioned room. The city can get oppressively hot once the middle of summer hits because the pavement just keeps absorbing (and radiating) the heat. Even Speedy has to wait until sundown to walk because his little paws burn on the pavement. I can always tell when we’ve gotten to that point of the summer when he starts doing this weird little dance while we’re waiting at intersections. Poor pup!

That being said, it’s pretty much hot as balls for most of the country from here until September, and most of us are dealing with humidity levels that rival a swamp. It’s the time of year when we’re basically trying to wear almost nothing to beat the heat. But after living in two areas where summer is boiling and humid, I’ve picked up a few tricks to keeping it cute when it’s hot AF outside.

Do you have any tricks you use for looking good in the summer heat? Here are mine:

1) Roomy jumpsuits are theeeee best

Perhaps it’s because of my petite frame, but I didn’t get into jumpsuits until a couple years ago. Nowadays brands are realizing we’re all built differently, and they’re making jumpsuits in petite AND curvy options that didn’t really exist before. Once I discovered these babies, I was hooked. They’re as easy to throw on as a dress, and the roomy ones in linen fabrics–DO NOT GO FOR POLYESTER RIGHT NOW. I REPEAT. DO NOT GO FOR POLYESTER–allow the breeze to lightly blow through, giving some air to the parts of your body that (ahem) need it the most. This one from Who What Wear has been a favorite this year. The tie back detail and banana leaf print make it stand out from the pack.

{These photos were taken on one of the first hot days in the city, and that big grin is me happy that summer was finally here. Jumpsuit is Target, belt is old school Banana Republic (similar below), and heels are even more old school Aldo (similar below).} 

2) Live in floaty lightweight white dresses (even long sleeve ones)

Say what you will about keeping whites white (a post I will be writing about soon), the white dress is a goddamn savior in summer. And while you may think that a long sleeve dress in the summer seems impossible, if it’s white, a floaty shake, and a super light natural fabric like cotton or linen, it can actually keep you cooler than the tiniest sundress. We all know from fourth grade science class that black absorbs heat and white reflects it. That means a white dress with a long sleeve is literally fighting off the sun from heating up your arms (and the rest of your body).

{This sun ain’t got nothin’ on my white dress. Dress is ILFLA, shoes are Target (below), earrings are H&M (below), sunnies are FantasEYES. Scroll through below for the same or similar pieces.}

3) Screw the full face of creamy makeup. Lip stain is where it’s at.

I’m a makeup lover, but we all know what happens when we put on that full face in the summer. Drippage, running, creasing. Ever had liquid eyeliner sweat into your eye? THE HORROR! On those super hot days, I wear a BB Cream, a dusting of bronzer where the sun naturally hits, and a statement making lip stain. It’s my beach jam because, unlike it’s cream sisters, it goes nowhere when things heat up…or when you’re reaching for that third cookie.

4) Wear your hair up, but add an accessory.

As much as I want to be like those beach babes with perfectly imperfect beach waves throughout the summer, there are some days when having my hair on my neck feels like I’m being strangled. That’s when I pull my hair up and pull out my hair accessories. A simple bun or topknot can go from looking like you’re coming from the gym to super cute with a big barrette clip or hair scarf.

{Lip stain on and hair bow in. Keeping it cute on the beach while eating some cooook-ays. Swimsuit is Cupshe, lip stain is Younique Stiff Upper Lip in Sultry, hair bow is a tie-belt from an old cardigan. Scroll through below for similar pieces.}

5) Lash extensions are your friend

Okay, I know this one is a bit extra, but never have a appreciated lash extensions more than summer. I started getting them in February and love not having to use mascara. Now that it’s hot out, this aspect is even more amazing. Seriously, we all know what it’s like to have mascara bleed into your eye from sweat (even the waterproof ones). THE HORROR! With the extensions I literally feel like I’m wearing nothing on my eyes, which is a godsend once the thermometer reads 90. There are tons of affordable lash extension options, especially if you go on Groupon (I got my first set for $30!), and they last about three weeks, so if you’re just doing it for summer, you’d only be getting them done a few times. I wrote a post all about what it’s like to get lash extensions here, if you’re interested.