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Beautiful and Comfortable: How to Beat Hot Weather

Summer is already here, along with lots of sun and heat. And while that can be fun sometimes — for example, if you want to hold a barbecue or go to the beach — most of the time it can be terrible. Apathy, sweating, dry hair, and skin are just a few examples of traditional hot weather companions. Fortunately, there are several ways to deal with them; if you want to know what they are, read on.

In this article, we share some tips on staying beautiful and comfortable during summer, including wearing sunscreen, dressing accordingly, taking care of your hair and skin, remembering about personal hygiene, and many more. Check them out and beat the hot weather.

Take Care of Your Hair and Skin

Usually, summer weather makes us sweat more than usual. And this can cause unpleasant smells and blemishes. That’s why it’s crucial to wash your hair and shower more often in summer.

It would help if you considered changing your laundry detergent to something milder (for example, hypoallergenic). Additionally, if your scalp is oily and prone to blemishes, use a medicated shampoo for people with oily hair. It will help you get rid of those nasty sweat marks.

Alternatively, you can try wearing a short hairstyle. This way, you will have an easier time taking care of your hair. To make your hair shorter, you can visit a hairdresser or use some high-quality scissors and give yourself a haircut at home. For example, you can use Yasaka brand scissors, as they offer an excellent price-quality ratio.

Another way you can go about it is to make your hair thicker by using volumizing products. It will help you fight against frizziness. On the other hand, if you have dry skin, use moisturizers and other products that contain natural ingredients (such as aloe vera or witch hazel) to keep it hydrated. You can also try a scrub once a week — that way, you’ll remove dead skin cells and boost blood circulation at the same time.

Wear Sunscreen

During the summer, you need to protect your skin and hair from the sun. If you don’t, you will get tanned and burned. To avoid this from happening, use sunscreen — a special cream that protects you from the sun’s UV rays.

The good thing about sunscreen is that it doesn’t only protect your skin from sunburns but also keeps it looking young and healthy. Most sunscreens are water-resistant nowadays, so you can even go swimming with them on. Nevertheless, if you’re going to swim a lot, it’s better to apply sunscreen every 2-4 hours to be fully protected.

Dress Appropriately

Wearing shorts and bikinis can be very tempting when the weather is warm. But if you want to look beautiful and feel good, you need to follow some simple rules.

Remember here to take into account your body type. We suggest you don’t wear anything too tight or too loose. Instead, choose something in between. Once you’ve done that, dress accordingly and wear light colors as they reflect sun rays.

Remember About Personal Hygiene

Personal hygiene is not only about washing yourself the right way. It’s also about staying fresh and clean throughout the day — even when there’s no water nearby. That’s why it’s essential to use deodorant and perfume.

Moreover, always carry a small pack of tissues with you when you go out. You can use them not only for nose-wiping but also for removing makeup smears or sweat marks on your clothes and face. And don’t forget about dental hygiene — carry around floss or chewing gum in order to avoid bad breath.

Take Care of Your Body

It’s no secret that hot weather makes you sweat more than usual. And this will make your skin dry and your hair frizzy. To prevent this, drink lots of water in summer. It will keep you hydrated and protect you from dehydration. Besides, it will keep your body well-nourished, which is especially important if you’re going to exercise or go swimming.

Additionally, it would be best if you exercised daily. Just choose a sport that you enjoy (like going swimming or jogging) and start doing it. It will help your blood circulation and improve your looks.

Don’t Overdo It

Finally, remember not to go overboard with your exercises and sunbathes. If you go swimming or running, for example, it’s essential to rest at times. Otherwise, your body will get overheated, and you might feel sick. Also, don’t stay in the sun too long. Instead, wear a hat and stay out of the sun for at least 30 minutes after applying sunscreen (it takes time for it to work).

Besides, drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated and avoid dehydration. And if you’re going to a party or a barbecue, make sure you eat well and avoid alcohol, as it can make you feel light-headed and tired.

Conclusion

Summer is here, and along with the good weather come lots of sun, heat, and sweat. But if you follow these simple tips, you’re not only going to be comfortable during hot weather but also look beautiful!

Always be smart — wear sunscreen, dress appropriately, remember about personal hygiene, keep your body healthy, and take care of your hair and skin. If you do these things, you’re guaranteed to look good and feel great during summer. Have fun and good luck!

Album Review: Laura Mvula, ‘Pink Noise’

Of all the different types of breakups, the label fallout might be the hardest one to successfully turn into song: most people simply don’t have reason enough to care about the inner workings of the music industry. But Laura Mvula has always had a knack for transforming simple, well-worn topics into music that feels universal and broadly relatable, and her songwriting is often at its most resonant when she pulls from personal struggle. In 2017, after exploring the breakdown of her marriage on her remarkable sophomore LP, The Dreaming Room, the Birmingham musician was unceremoniously dropped by RCA via a brief email. A year later, a representative for Atlantic saw one of her shows supporting David Byrne and offered her a new deal, which she accepted. In a recent interview, Mvula herself likened this new musical chapter to entering a healthier relationship: “It was like going from an abusive relationship into a loving one, where someone goes, ‘You’re so beautiful,’ and you’re not used to hearing it.”

Following an excellent EP of reworkings released earlier this year, Mvula’s third album Pink Noise may at times give the impression of a breakup record, but it doesn’t tell a familiar story borne out of heartbreak, and nor does it celebrate the euphoria of new love. Instead, it sees her centering more on the need to stave off loneliness, whether the remedy comes in the form of external validation or self-acceptance. The standout ‘Church Girl’ most powerfully and explicitly takes the latter path: “Who do you think you are?/ You don’t write the story, baby,” she proclaims, but aims the hardest questions at herself, realizing that the only way to be true to herself and move freely as an artist is to let go of other people’s expectations. ‘Golden Ashes’ is even more direct (“Them scary power people/ Tell me I’m no equal/ They feast like hungry lions/ When I’m halfway up to zion”), but the song, buoyed by striking vocal and orchestral flourishes, builds into a stirring plea for help with a wider emotional reach.

As with the majority of the album, the overall effect is as uplifting as it is liberating. The distinctly ‘80s-inspired palette might at first seem like a less-than-fitting embodiment of the artist’s personal journey, as it doesn’t leave as much room for the originality and complexity of her compositions to truly shine as they did on her previous efforts. The reference points are obvious, too: the Phill Collins drums that kick off the album, the John Hughes movie setting of ballad ‘What Matters’ (an unlikely duet with Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil, but a strangely effective one) – but how many pop stars emulating this style today have actually received an endorsement from the late Prince, whose signature guitar riffs are all over Pink Noise? Even as Mvula’s most nostalgic and retro-leaning project, she and her collaborators pull off that sound and aesthetic with an impeccable ease and looseness that more than suits the spirit of her new work and her confidence as a performer.

In fact, it’s when Mvula steps out of her comfort zone musically and directly addresses her label struggles that the results are less natural: ‘Conditional’ is the only misstep here, an awkward attempt at embracing a beat-driven sound as Mvula sings dryly of “another blow to the ego.” Yet the singer’s sense of control and ear for melody helps the song bloom into something rich and defiant, if only for a brief moment, and Pink Noise as a whole is undeniably filled with some of her most sparkling arrangements and catchiest hooks to date. When she captures a certain kind of irresistible magic, as on the funk-laden title track and the infectious ‘Got Me’, she sounds radiantly in touch with a part of herself that previously lay dormant. “I’ve been looking for an answer/ More than temporary romance,” she admits on closer ‘Before the Dawn’: She may not have found it yet, but she knows the possibility is out there on the horizon, and that promise is enough to make Pink Noise explode with joy and colour.

Damon Albarn Shares New Song ‘Polaris’

Damon Albarn has released a new track from his forthcoming album The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flows. ‘Polaris’ comes with a live video performance directed by Transgressive Records head ​Toby L and featuring Albarn’s live band and a string quartet. Listen to the new single and check out the performance below.

The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flows is set to arrive on November 12 via Transgressive. Previously, Albarn shared the album’s title track. He was also the guest on the latest episode of Mark Ronson’s The FADER Uncovered podcast, which you can find below as well.

Amen Dunes Enlists Sleaford Mods for New Song ‘Feel Nothing’

Amen Dunes, the project of Damon McMahon, has returned with his first new music since 2018’s Freedom. Marking his debut release for Sub Pop, ‘Feel Nothing’ was recorded in Los Angeles with co-producer Ariel Rechtshaid and mixed by Craig Silvey. The track is a collaboration with Sleaford Mods’ Jason Williamson and features synths by Freedom collaborator Panoram. Check it out below.

Watch Dry Cleaning’s ‘Tiny Desk (Home) Concert’ for NPR

Dry Cleaning is the latest group to appear on NPR’s Tiny Desk (Home) Concert series. Delivering their remote performance from the East London record shop World of Echo, the post-punk outfit played the New Long Leg tracks ‘Her Hippo’, ‘Unsmart Lady’, and ‘Leafy’, as well as ‘Viking Hair’, from their second EP Boundary Road Snacks and Drinks. Watch it below.

New Long Leg, Dry Cleaning’s debut LP, arrived back in April and landed on our 30 Best Albums of 2021 (So Far) list.

The Parrots Announce New Album ‘Dos’, Share Video for New Single

Madrid’s The Parrots have announced their next album: Dos arrives October 29 via Heavenly Recordings. Along with the album news, the band have also shared a video for the new single ‘You Work All Day and Then You Die’. Check out the Joaquin Luna-directed visual and find the album art and tracklist below.

The Parrots are the duo of Diego García and Alex de Lucas. Dos, the follow-up to their 2016 debut Los Niños Sin Miedo, was produced by Tom Furse (The Horrors) and mixed by Claudius Mittendorfer (Parquet Courts, Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Temples). The 11-track LP will include the previous single ‘Maltido’.

Dos Cover Artwork:

Dos Tracklist:

1. You Work All Day And Then You Die
2. Just Hold On
3. Maldito [feat. C. Tangana]
4. Lo Dejaría Todo
5. Don’t Cry
6. It’s Too Late To Go To Bed
7. Nadie Dijo Que Fuera Fácil
8. Fuego
9. Amigos
10. How Not To Be Seen
11. Romance [feat. Los Nastys]

Kai Kwasi Releases New Single ‘sms’

South East London musician Kai Kwasi has released his second single, ‘sms’ (via Play It Again Sam). The track, which follows his debut track ‘unt’, features vocals from KarimThaPeasant as well as saxophone and production from Venna. Listen to ‘sms’ as well as its B-side ‘ain’t that just the way’ below.

“’sms’ carries the sentiment of what will be will be,” Kwasi explained in a statement. “It’s about the comfort to be found in chaos when you relinquish the need for control. I got my friends Venna and KarimThaPeasant on the track, both putting their whole selves into the work. It’s a luxury I’Il never take for granted to make the kind of music I’ve always wanted to make, and doing it all with my people. The visual for ‘sms’ picks up where my last track & video ‘unt’ left off. Keepin the same people on board, we just tried to have fun shooting again. We managed to pull the whole thing together in between lockdowns and I think we ended up with something really beautiful.”

Charlotte Dos Santos Shares Video for New Song ‘Away From You’

Charlotte Dos Santos has returned with a new song, ‘Away From You’, out now via Because Music. Produced by Dos Santos and Tom Henry of Gotts Street Park (Kali Uchis, Celeste, Mabel), the track arrives with an accompanying video directed by Margot Bowman. Check it out below.

“‘Away From You’ is a song about being in love and not wanting to be with anyone other than your one person,” Dos Santons explained in a statement. “It’s an r&b/pop song for folks in love and wanting to move. The song was written after a bike ride and a cute day outside and I wanted to capture that feeling. I wanted to write an uplifting track after such a heavy year and especially after really longing for dancing, and being outside with friends and loved ones. The video is a reference to that, the freedom that we lost, and how we find it again – love and movement will always live and thrive despite everything. This is the first video of this journey of exploration of heritage, identity and happiness.”

Bowman added: “I loved collaborating with Charlotte on this special project using beauty, time, and the premise that history is a construct to explore her unique world. It’s such a powerful time to reexamine the past and build a better future out of what we find there.”

‘Away From You’ marks the first piece of new music from Charlotte Dos Santos since the release of 2020’s Harvest Time EP.

Oscar Lang Unveils New Single ‘Thank You’

Oscar Lang has previewed his forthcoming debut record Chew The Scenery with a new track called ‘Thank You’. “‘Thank You’ is all about growing up, accepting your mistakes, and being thankful for the fact that they allow you to learn about yourself and change,” Lang explained in a press release. Check it out below.

Chew The Scenery is set for release on August 13 via Dirty Hit. ‘Thank You’ follows the previously released singles ‘Stuck’, ‘Are You Happy?’ and ‘21st Century Hobby’.

Hayden Thorpe Announces New Album ‘Moondust For My Diamond’, Shares New Single

Hayden Thorpe, formerly of Wild Beasts, has announced his second solo album, Moondust For My Diamond. The follow-up to his 2019 debut Diviner and last year’s Aerial Songs EP is due out October 15 via Domino. Today’s announcement comes with the release of the lead single ‘The Universe Is Always Right’, which is accompanied by a music video shot in Hayden’s homeland of The Lake District. Watch the Tom Haines-directed clip below and scroll down for the album’s cover artwork and tracklist.

Talking about the inspiration behind the new album, Hayden said in a statement: “What about nature? What about the cosmos? What about all these things that break through the tyranny of the self? Our sense organs bring the world inside of us after all, I just had to sing it back out. I was enchanted again with the mystery of science and how I might speak from the heart in an age where metric is gospel.”

Hayden will showcase the album at two special live shows this October in the UK, at the Brewery Arts Centre on October 9 and at Chat’s Palace, London on October 15. He will also be joining Jon Hopkins on his tour across Europe in November.

Moondust For My Diamond Cover Artwork: 

Moondust For My Diamond Tracklist: 

1. Material World
2. The Universe Is Always Right
3. No Such Thing
4. Parallel Kingdom
5. Golden Ratio
6. Metafeeling
7. Supersensual
8. Hotel November Tango
9. Rational Heartache
10. Spherical Time II
11. Suspended Animation
12. Runaway World