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Summer is here, especially so for people in the tropics where relentless hot weather follows the mild winter. No question of any spring breaks here - so it is for us to be prepared with appropriate clothing which will make us look stylish and yet relaxed even when the humidity levels are high. Luckily for us, there is no dearth of good dress materials that can be worn comfortably, however hot the weather.
To start with, allow your skin to breathe by wearing only natural fabric next to your skin. That is to say, wear only underwear made of natural fabric, preferably cotton.
Do not wear tight fitting clothes that will only make you sweat. Loose fitting, comfortable clothes in cotton or linen can be worn as they will cause the least discomfort. If you wear sarees, natural fibres like cotton or silk will keep you fresh the whole day. No polyesters, please! Pastel shades work best and will keep you looking cool and fresh.
Avoid tight closed shoes which will make your soles sweat. Keep a couple of pairs ready so that you can air your used shoes a bit.
Use only simple accessories. Accentuate your colour combinations for effect and avoid heavy jewellery. It pays to be understated.
Going out for the evening? Same advice holds good. Be understated, wear silk, but no heavy jewellery. Remember, it will be humid and you cannot afford to sweat and end up looking like a frump. So keep it simple!
Now that you have decided on what you are going to wear, let us look at your make up options.
You can wear a moisturiser, but use it sparingly. Do you have an oily or combination skin? Then avoid using moisturiser on your nose and forehead, where the oil secretion is the most.
Like clothes, your make up should also be very light. In particular, avoid using foundation as it will run and give your face a caked effect.
If you believe that loose powder will absorb all the sweat, you are very wrong. In fact, loose powder simply disappears in humid weather. You should instead, dust it lightly on the centre of your face and this will give you a natural look.
Luminous colours will stay better and remain fresh for a longer period.
Avoid matte lipsticks. Alight lipgloss should suffice. Select lighter shades and avoid heavy, dark shades.
Using a fragrant body lotion will make you smell good and also add a sheen to the exposed areas.