When temperatures soar, it's time to reach for something to keep the perspiration in check. Shoptalk investigates.

KEEP cool. But how? If you're stuck in a traffic jam on the motorway, in a crowded airport, or on a tour bus in a hot and clammy country, what can you do? Come to that, occasionally, just occasionally, the average British workplace can sometimes get pretty sticky in summer.

We all need a quick and easy way to cool down which doesn't involve stripping off and diving into fountains.

The solutions vary from the traditional Eau de Cologne to a variety of glitzy spritzy sprays.

Our favourites had very little perfume, just the merest hint of something sharp and refreshing. The problem with some was that they had quite a strong, or occasionally a very cloying scent. If you're in a crowded bus joggling over bumpy roads, jammed in with a load of strangers, then a strong sickly scent might be the last thing you need.

OUR FAVOURITES

BATTERY OPERATED FANS, from £1.99

Tiny enough to pop into a handbag or a pocket. Not as stylish and elegant as the proper pleated fans of the Chinese, but possibly a mite more practical. OK, they don't produce cold air, but they do move the hot air round a bit, which can be pretty blissful. Also men and boys are more likely to use these as they don't dent their fragile macho image.

BODYSHOP OCEANUS BODY MIST, £4

Light scent, very refreshing. Not quite like a splash of sea spray, but very pleasant and dries quickly.

MAGICOOL, £4.99

Hot weather cooler and freshener. The bottle states: "Air conditioning in a can."

This promises to "cool and instantly calm irritant, dry, flushed or sunburnt skin", and is said to be ideal for hot days, muggy nights and sun-baked cars. It reminded us of the stuff that first aiders squirt onto your wonky ankles. It doesn't so much evaporate as drip down your skin, but it is effective, and probably a better bet than many of the scented varieties that can add to your queasiness. Big can, though.

4711 EAU DE COLOGNE TISSUES, ten tissues for £2.65

Yes, it's still going. This is the one that will remind you of your granny, your aunty, your old French teacher or the old ladies whose names you never remember but whom you meet only at weddings and funerals. This is an old fashioned scent, but none the worse for that.

That famous fragrance, the original refresher really, overwhelms when you open the packet. But it soon evaporates and you are left with just a faint scent. The tissues are good. Cooling and refreshing. They work. And they are individually wrapped so easy to slip into a bag or pocket.

An oldie but a goodie.

PRETTY COOL

BODYSHOP Lavender/Bergamot cologne spray, £2 (reduced from £4.70)

Light, fresh, sharp smells. We particularly liked the bergamot as it was a bit unusual. Although packaged in glass, this was small and neat and fitted easily into a handbag.

BOOTS BOTANICS HYDRATING BODY MIST, £3.99

"With uplifting clary sage and an energising peppermint. Leaves skin hydrated with refreshing juniper and stimulating bilberry."

Pleasant, herby, unusual smell. Refreshing.

NIVEA AROMASPRITZ, £5.99

This claims to be calming and hydrating, "to ease away the stresses of the day or whenever you need to unwind."

It reminded us of furniture polish but was still quite pleasant and effective.

BETTER THAN NOTHING

IMPULSE OXYGEN BODY SPRAY, £1.69

"Gives a cool fresh feeling on the skin and leaves you feeling revitalised."

This is a fierce, very dry spray that evaporates almost instantly. It has a very faint scent. Not sure about the long term cooling effect, but it's pleasant enough.

MARKS & SPENCER SPA LIFE REVITALISING BODY MIST, £10

"Will sensually envelop your body and leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated"

There was a sharp smell to this, not unpleasant. But it's a biggish bottle and packaged in glass, making it hopeless for travelling (too heavy and likely to break.) Don't designers ever think when they're packaging their products?

NOT FOR US

CLARINS EAU DYNAMINSTE, £20

This makes skin feel nice but it has an initial heavy cloying scent, which might be just a bit too much. We didn't like the price either.

NO USE AT ALL

4711 COOLICE STICK, £4.50

YARDLEY ENGLISHLAVENDER COLOGNE STICK,£3.50

We didn't see the point of these. They did absolutely nothing to cool us down and although they smelt faintly pleasant, this is not much good when you're about to melt in the heat. You're definitely better off jumping in the fountain.

PS One of our all time favourites doesn't seem to be available any more. Tesco used to do Refreshing Body Mist that was light and cool and which we rarely travelled without. However, it seems to have vanished from the shelves. Isn't it always the way when you find something you like?