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29 March 2024

Stay fashionably cool in sweltering Dubai

Loose clothes and a hat are wise choices in the Dubai summer. (AP)

Published
By Bindu Suresh Rai

With the mercury rising high enough to earn the tag of the ‘hottest summer ever’ it’s time to take precautions to ensure you don’t end up burning sunny side up.

It’s that time of year again when the saying ‘fun in the sun’ takes on a whole new meaning. Something as simple as a sunscreen can make all the difference between your skin sporting a rosy red glow or turning into a mass of blistering sunspots.
Adopt a few healthy solutions and spend these hot summer months with the minimum discomfort and the maximum level of fun. Emirates 24|7’s 10 simple tips ensure that you enjoy this season in all its sunny glory.
 
Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen
Think ozone layer and alarm bells should start ringing in your head instantly. Even though the hole in the ozone layer is way over in Australia, this invisible band of gases that protects us from the sun’s harmful UV rays is fast depleting and we should be smart enough to take precaution against it, starting now!
Apply a sunscreen high in SPF – a grade 30 or higher is recommended in this environment – at least 30 minutes before you step out of your home. Lather on a fresh coat every 2-3 hours to ensure that your skin and you stay safe this summer.
 
Quench that thirst
Do not dehydrate this summer. Health experts advise that you should drink at least eight glasses of water per day, and this should increase by a few glasses if you exercise a lot and live in a hot and dry climate. Top up every hour or keep a bottle of water next to your workstation at all times, which makes it easier for you to sip from. And no, caffeine does not count as flavoured water. 
 
Cap it off
Do a Courtney Cox who always grabs a floppy straw hat to protect her face from the harmful rays of the sun. This is a must if you plan to spend a great deal outdoors, especially while pottering around the garden or working on your tan over the weekend. Add a trendy pair of sunglasses to go with the do and you will be set for a nice morning spent outdoors.
 
Luscious lips
Pucker up with some moisturising opaque lipstick or go in for an UV protection lipsticks that pack in enough SPF to protect your smile from drying up and peeling. The WebMD warns to avoid applying products such as petroleum jelly, high-shine lip-gloss and baby oil on your lips as these attract the sun, increasing the risk of lip cancer.
 
No bad hair days
We’ve all been there — the dried out lifeless hair in the mornings and the frizz factory bushfires in the evenings, which are a boon of living in 45-degree temperatures and 100 per cent humidity climatic conditions. To offset such dire straits, shampoo with UV protected products and use high moisturising leave-in conditioners that stop your hair from drying and frizzing up. If you like, experiment with an anti-frizz serum after you shampoo and rest easy for the whole day – Boots pharmacies have a great collection of products to choose from, including the ever popular John Frieda and Bed Head.
 
Go nude
No not your clothes, but your face! Avoid the makeup meltdowns in these hot conditions and simply go natural. If you feel that you must have a little bit on, then use a moisturising concealer that has SPF in it to act as a skin protector. And remember to cleanse, tone and moisturise at the end of the day, so no makeup residue is left on your face.
 
Under the covers
If you happen to be a beach lover, don’t worry about missing out on some quiet time soaking up some sun; just carry a beach umbrella along with you that will provide ample protection and still allow you to dip into the surf. It would be wiser to avoid the suntan altogether and opt for a skin bronzer that lasts the whole day and gives you the healthy look, minus the sweat and the heat.
 
Invest in a car-shade
For those who have driven here long enough know that the first few minutes of entering your car when parked in the mid-afternoon sun is nothing short of stumbling into a sauna – only hotter. Invest in a good car shade that can save you a few burnt fingers and those extra bottles of deodorant. Here’s a little insider tip – after parking, roll down your windows a crack to allow some ventilation inside and your car won’t be that stuffy when you climb back in a few hours later.
 
Light is right
Summer temperatures are enough to set your body heat soaring, so skip the hot and heavy delights and enjoy the lighter side of food. Trade in your curries for a cool gazpacho soup and forego the steaks for a scrumptious salad. Round off the meal with a tray of juicy fruits that are not only nutritious but also perfect to offset the outdoor heat.
When thirsty, skip the caffeine and quench your thirst with a long cool glass of some yummy summer coolers.
 
Dress down
Pack up the layered clothing and opt in for some loose-fitting summer wear. Cottons and linens will keep you cool and comfortable, and do remember to wear long sleeves if you plan to potter around outdoors for a while.