We’re back, we’re vaxxed, and we’re gonna look like snacks.
( @kimkardashian / Instagram )
The sun is making its debut once again. Seasonal depression's melting. Temperatures are rising (higher than ever, thanks, climate change). Frat bros are dusting off their favorite Hawaiian button-up shirts. Mother Nature is giving all of the signs that another Hot Girl Summer is upon us.
What exactly is Hot Girl Summer? Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion, otherwise known as “Hot Girl Meg” and “the H-Town Hottie," blessed us with the term when she released her song Hot Girl Summer in 2019. Although Megan participates in doing “real hot girl sh-t” on a daily basis, the Hot Girl Summer is a call to action. Her fanbase of “hotties” are empowered to embrace self-confidence, love yourself and to do what you want to do without fear of judgement.
Anyone can have a Hot Girl Summer. It's not a look, Megan emphasizes, it's an attitude.
In an interview with The Root, she said, “It’s just basically about women — and men — just being unapologetically them, just having a good-ass time, hyping up your friends, doing you, not giving a damn about what nobody got to say about it. You definitely have to be a person that can be the life of the party, and, y’know, just a bad bitch.”
Fans of Ms. Thee Stallion have specified what you need to do to truly have a Hot Girl Summer, including:
Live your best life
Be independent
Unapologetically enjoy yourself
Don’t put up with unwanted drama
Now that you’ve been briefed, it’s time to prepare. Being a baddie includes making your health and wellness a priority so you can look good and feel good. Here's Rowdy's summer self-care tips that will have you glowing from inside out:
Protect your skin
Besties don’t let besties get sun damage, but Hot Girl Summer is all about getting the D... Vitamin D in this case. Make sure your morning skincare routine ends with a non-comedogenic sunscreen that blocks harmful UV rays while you’re blocking bad vibes.
The golden rule of safe tanning? Reapply sunscreen to your body every two hours if possible, especially after sweating or swimming.
Don't 👏 Shave 👏 Against 👏 The Grain!
Speaking of burns, let’s cut out razor burn once and for all.
Shave with warm water and a gentle shaving gel or cream made with ingredients that won’t aggravate your skin. But more importantly: Do not shave against the grain! Personally, it took me an embarrassingly long time to learn to shave in the direction your hair grows.
Finally, rinse your razor after each swipe and replace them often. Dull razors can have you pressing into your skin too hard, which may result in cuts or rashes.
When it comes to shaving below the Gucci belt, do so with moderation. Although shaving down there is a personal choice, pubic hair acts as a defensive barrier and fends off infection-causing bacteria. Don’t let any UTIs spoil your summer festivities and maintain proper hygiene down-under.
Prevent chafing
“Chub Rub”, or the uncomfortable sensation of chafing from skin rubbing on skin, can happen to people of all shapes and sizes. Don’t suffer for the sake of a cute outfit.
I’ve heard that talcum powder can be used as a way to protect your high-friction-area skin from perspiration that leads to inner-thigh chafing, but I’m a fan of using products that contain WAP (Waxes And Polyethylene that is). Vaseline is always a good basic to keep around, but other specialty products like Body Glide’s Anti-Chafe & Moisturizing Balm ($7.50) and Megababe’s Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick ($14)
Use safe deodorants
I’ve ditched deodorants with harmful ingredients like aluminum, and you should, too. Research studies have cited overexposure of aluminum to health risks like breast cancer and Alheimerz’s disease. Sweating is also a major way for your body to release toxins, so why would you want to keep those in when you can let it all out? Although antiperspirants are effective for keeping underarms dry, I opt for the more natural alternatives that use antibacterial ingredients and fragrances to keep things fresh.
My personal favorite is Ivory’s Hint of Chamomile Gentle Aluminum-Free Deodorant ($6) because it goes on smooth, smells great, and is a generally affordable option. Other brands like Secret, Dove and Degree also offer aluminum-free options now, making it a more accessible option. For my vegans, check out Tom’s and Raw Sugar for their natural, cruelty-free products.
Keep in mind that natural deodorants aren’t as long-lasting as other antiperspirants, though. That's why I try to keep an extra deodorant in my car, backpack, or purse for quick touch-ups throughout the day.
Work out
Everyone’s body is a summer body-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody-ody. Make sure to honor yours by keeping it active – whatever that means to you. It could mean trying out the Hot Girl Walk trend on TikTok, hitting the gym for a '12-3-30' treadmill workout, or an at-home virtual yoga class.
Think of it less as a chore to reach your “body goals” and more as a way to find types of movement that your body enjoys. Once again, Hot Girl Summer is all about you doing you!
Get that bag
Are you a college girl, but a freak on the weekend? Balance is key, whether you’re taking on some summer classes, working a summer job, or putting in hours at an internship. Megan has established her history as an ambitious, hard-working woman in her song Girls in the Hood:
"Ever since sixteen, I been havin' a job. / Knowin' nothin' in life, but I gotta get rich."
The goal is to work hard, play hard, and live with intention. Don’t let capitalism make you obsessed with the grind. Make time for fun, friends, and relaxation whenever possible.
Be sustainable and drink fluids
This summer, we're finding that bikinis and beers go hand and hand, especially Big Top Brewing beers. When not drinking cans of their citrusy ales, however, remember Megan would want all of you hotties staying hydrated. Rather than contributing to plastic pollution, grab your HydroFlask and send all your friends a reminder to drink water! Megan’s Hottie Beach Clean Up in 2019 is a perfect example of hot girls saving the planet.
Get off your phone
Remember y’all: we don't text quick 'cause we aren’t thirsty. If you’re living your best life, you don’t have time to be counting likes or stalking exes on social media. Post your fire pics and go!
Samantha Redditt is an Online Writer at Rowdy Magazine. She enjoys long, romantic walks to the nearest coffee shop and roller skating to obscure Spotify playlists. You can reach her on Instagram at @samantharedditt for more information.