5 Tips for Keeping Cool in the Summer

Good morning, beauties! It is officially BIRTHDAY SEASON! I celebrate my birthday from the beginning of the summer to the end! With the beginning of my birthday month, comes some INTENSE heat! This makes dressing, shopping, socializing, and basically any other type of activity take a little more thought time! Beauty may know no pain, but a girl in South Texas knows the power of the sun in June! That’s why, for today’s post, I decided to share my best tips and tricks for keeping cool in the summer!

1. Don’t underestimate the ponytail: Take this outfit, for example. I thought it up in my head the night before my sister’s graduation (yea sister!).  I knew that wearing my leather leggings was a risk for the weather, which is why I decided to pick my hair up in a pony! I still looked put together, but I didn’t have my hair adding to the heat on the nape of the neck. It allowed my CAPE (similar) to shine! I was living my best life!
2. Always Hydrate: I’m 100% sure I’ve shared this tip before, but it really is a lifesaver. I always have a water bottle on me or this BumbleBee S’well Bottle. I love the s’well bottle because it’s small, but that’s also it’s downfall. NOT ENOUGH WATER! A little birdie told me this baby (with the straw cap, of course) is coming to me for my birthday! (EEEK! It’s birthday season!)
   • I also love Liquid IV (lemon flavor, for me) for after I’ve been out in the sun, or haven’t been getting enough water in. It also helps with my dry lips. The struggle is very real with those suckers.
3. Don’t forget sunscreen: I am a huge stickler about skincare. I’ve fallen victim to the lobster red sunburn a few times in my life, but I usually do a good job about wearing sunscreen on my face. My favorite has caffeine in it, so it wakes up your skin AND tints it. Perfect for a day out at the beach, but not too thick or sticky that I’m unable to also put my CC+ Cream or foundation over it.
   • A bonus to this tip is: DO NOT GO OUT IN THE SUN AFTER USING FACE CREAMS WITH RETINOL. You WILL BURN! This also goes for certain medications. Follow the doctors orders, my friends. You’ll be happy you did!
4. Show a Little Skin: This is obvious, but if you’re over the age of 25, (and this could be just me) you might not be 100% comfortable wearing shorts and a stringy top, yet. Camisoles have been a huge change for me this year, and I love them now, but it was a slow transition. The actual tip is: a little goes a long way. If I know I’m wearing a shoulder-baring blouse, I try to wear my hair down or wear jeans to balance the amount of skin I’m showing, but still not feel like I’m burning up. Not every event we go to in the summer is beach friendly, so this balance is important for moments like that as well! This look is a good example of what I mean.
5. Prepare for the Worst: Now, I always carry water with me, as a survival tip, but my last tip is how you rescue yourself from heat disaster.  If you’ve been following me a while, you know I made the switch to natural deodorant. After a detour with a different brand, I’ve found happiness with Kopari (dying to try their Charcoal version!). Using a natural deodorant, I have noticed a big change, but my favorite is that I am no longer ruining clothing with waxy aluminum deodorant! If you know, you know. I have a large version at home and keep a mini in my purse and gym bag (because I work out now #vathletic) just in case I need a refresh in the middle of the day. I have a lot more to say on this topic, so if you’re interested, let me know in the comments below!
   

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If you stayed for the tips, but came for the outfit details, I am about to deliver! These Valentino beauties have been on my “dream shoes” list for quite some time. My SIL was gifted a pair from my BIL to celebrate her second pregnancy  (we don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl yet, and it’s killing me!! I’m totally team boy, as they already have a perfect baby girl!), but they weren’t the right fit for her, so I kindly made room for them in my closet! haha! I have had this cape (similar) in my closet for about 2-3 years, but never had the right occasion or pieces to pair it with. With these sleek heels, I knew the exact direction to go for my look! The rosy pink and Kendra Scott accessories are classic, but the studs give the look a fun edge!  You know I love a sweet and edgy contrast!

I hope y’all got at least one tip from my little list here! This is my last week of work and even though I already miss my students, I’m ready for the break. I’m also ready for the opportunity to blog a little bit more! Which reminds me, what do y’all want to see from Aly and the Valley in the summer months? I’m up for anything and everything at this point! Thank y’all so much for coming back to read. It means the world to me! Happy Monday, my friends!

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