WHAT TO WEAR
Our top 10 tips to looking sharp at work while staying cool.

1 Stick to colours like nude and pastels as they reflect heat better. If you’re wearing white, make sure it’s a loose fit – tight-fitting white clothes actually reflect heat back to the body, making you feel hotter.

2 “Go for 100 per cent cotton or linen as they let your skin breathe,” says fashion stylist Nicole Tan. If you find solid colours boring, choose pieces with details like stripes or eyelets, which are just as appropriate for work.

3 “Pick an A-line skirt over a pencil cut. A-line skirts are not body-hugging so there’s less heat generated from the friction between the garment and your skin,” Nicole says.

4 Carry a leather bag with a matte finish instead of a glossy patent leather one. The latter tends to stick to your skin more when you’re sweaty so you feel even stickier.

KEEP YOUR MAKEUP ON
The last thing you want is for your makeup to melt minutes after you leave the house. Have these skin-cooling sprays and makeup primers on hand to help you feel fresh all day.

SETS YOUR MAKEUP
Urban Decay All Nighter ($48). The waterresistant spray locks in your look for up to 16 hours. It lowers skin temperature, giving your face cool pick-me-up.

SKIN FRESHENER
Skin Inc Onsen+ Miracle Body Dew ($78). The body gel contains Japanese hot spring water that rejuvenates the skin and relieves stickiness. You can literally see the water droplets on your skin as you massage it in.

ABSORBS SEBUM Ettusais Aqua Splash (price unavailable). Keep your complexion looking matte with this compact spray. A sebum-absorbing powder keeps makeup from fading, while camomile lowers skin temperature.

WHAT TO EAT ON HOT DAYS
1 Ketki Vinayachandra, naturopath and herbalist at Natural Medicine, says, “Eat less, but take frequent meals or snacks. Overeating could strain the digestive system, leaving you nauseous.”

2 Smaller meals with less protein help reduce metabolic heat too.

3 Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol – they dehydrate you.

4 Eat spicy food. It causes an endorphin rush and makes you forget the heat.

5 Ketki recommends making bright-coloured fruits and dark green leafy veggies a big part of your diet. They are high in antioxidants and boost the immune system, so you won’t fall sick as easily.