Hit the sand in style with our surf-sexy hit
list
That first day at the beach can inspire
dread, even for the genetically super-blessed. But we say: you’re on the beach,
relax already! While the term ‘beauty rule’ doesn’t usually exist in our
vocabulary, here’s one iron-clad holiday beauty directive you should follow:
have fun, experiment, keep it fresh, keep it effortless (erm, Ok, that was
four…). The easiest way to get into the beach mood? Check out our ten savvy
tips for total bikini-babe bliss.
1. Streamline your make-up routine…
…with s BB cream – the multifunctional
moisturizer, protector, pore minimizer, tint etc. Early formulas tended to be a
bit heavy and thick, but the latest offerings come in more shades and deliver a
lighter finish. Out top three summer picks are: Hydra Life BB Crème SPF30 $ 64 Dior;
Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm $ 40 Stile; and A Perfect World BB SPF15 $
42 origins.co.uk. Wear with a hard-working mascara and you’re set: try Lash
Definition Smudgeproof Mascara in Black $ 22.5 Liz Earle Color.
Dior
Hydra Life BB Crème SPF 30
2. Try rainbow nails
Why wear one color when you can paint on
multiple shades at once? At work, the Smarties approach to nails might look a
bit busy, but it’s perfect for the beach. “My favorite summer combination is
milky pastels, like sunshine yellow, aqua green and lavender,” says make-up
artist Kirstin Piggott. Nail Polish in Lemon Cream $ 6.5 Maybelline, 10 Days No
Chips in 26 (purple) $ 9 Bourjois.
3. Go for color
“Sun-kissed skin is the ideal backdrop for
vivid shots of color,” says Gucci Westman, Revlon global artistic director.
Choose cream formulas, as they are easier to apply with your fingers and won’t
melt off when you sweat. Rim the upper lash line with Ombre Blackstar Melting
Eyeshadow in Paradise Island $ 43 By Terry (available at spacenk.co.uk), rub
Cremeblend Blush in Florida $ 27 maccosmetics.co.uk over cheeks and finish with
a bright, sheer neon gloss, like Colorburst Lipgloss in Sizzle $ 12.5.
4. Sculpt your body
Do these three moves on a day to tighten,
tone and firm from head to toe. “The trick is to do focused exercises that
target more than one muscle at once,” says personal trainer Christina Howells,
founder of the Bodysculpt system (bodysculpt-london.com).
The fastest way to lose weight and sculpt your body is weight training
Plié Squats
“Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart,
toes turned out; then bend downwards, turning your knees outwards, and don’t
let your knees go over your toes. Lower and lift 20 times. Then lift the right
feel up and do 20 pulses, then lift the left knee up and do 20 pulses. Then
alternate for 20.”
Plank
“For this powered-up plank, place hand
towels under your toes. Get into a press-up position on your forearms, keeping
your body in a straight line from heels to the top of your head. Keep lower abs
pulled in as you split your legs away from each other. Pull them together while
engaging the inner thigh muscles. Do two sets of 15 reps.”
Arm circles
“Stretch your arms out either side at
shoulder level with palms facing upwards. Circle arms backwards from the
shoulder 20-30 times, then do it forwards for the same number of reps. Sounds
too easy, but trust me, it will burn.”
5. Pretty hot-weather hair
Opt for a no-fuss beach ’do – soak hair
with Protective Moisturizing Sun Crème $ 27 Davines and scrape it back into a
messy burn. “That wet-hair spa look is gorgeous for a day at the beach,” says
Kerry Warn, international creative consultant for John Frieda, “it’s so
low-maintenance.” For instant sporty chic, wrap neon hairgrips all around.
6. Clean up
Aren’t you tired of a complex skincare
routine? In sticky weather, forget flawless, perfect and polished – aim for
dewy and fresh instead. Leave the vanity case at home and pack light: for soft
and refreshed skin, we love Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash $ 18.5 Elemis, and
for an instant moisture boost, carry Hydration Face Mist $ 23 L’Occitane in
your beach bag.
7. Smell like summer
The season’s new perfumes pair perfectly
with the laidback holiday mood – think light, airy and non-cloying. Aqua
Allegoria Lys Soleia $ 57.5 for 125ml EDP Guerlain is warm, sexy and
sunny. Dior Addict Eau Sensuelle $ 76 for 50ml EDT Dior has a playful
and sparkling feel, while 212 NYC Seductive Body Spray $2 9 Carolina Herrera
works as an all-over mist.
Guerlain
Aqua Allegoria Lys Soleia
8. Glossify your limbs
Daytime is all about sunscreen, but at
night, it’s time to glow. Smooth these skin beautifiers on legs, shoulders and
any other area on show. For pure sheen, nothing beats Body Gloss $ 5 Palmer’s
Cocoa Butter Formula. To boost your tan, Instant Bronzing Gel $ 20 Sienna X
feels super-luxe and gives a gorgeous glistening finish. If you don’t want any
shine, you’ll love the low-key golden tint of Sun Shimmer Instant Tan in Light
Matte $ 11 Rimmel.
9. Tan the smart way
It turns out that too little sun is just as
bad as too much. “I have seen serious vitamin D deficiency in some of my
patients who completely avoid the sun,” says dermatologist Dennis Gross. So,
enjoy the sunshine, but to keep your skin healthy, sunscreen is non-negotiable.
The new sun care buzz is infrared protection, as it’s been proven that infrared
rays penetrate skin deeply and provoke long-term damage. Sun Beauty Satin Sheer
Oil Fast Tan Optimizer SPF30 $ 37.5 Lancasted boasts a new infrared technology
to reduce deep skin damage, while Triple Defence Shield SPF50 Sunscreen $ 85.5
Prevage delivers infrared protection plus high antioxidant power in an
innovative built-in brush applicator. And Bronz Repair Body Lotion $ 98 Insitut
Esthederm is a firm GLAMOUR favourite to beat sun-included skin dehydration.
10. Get
Bronzed
For a natural-looking warm-weather glow,
use a bronzer with a little sparkle. Our top summer choices are Terra Azzurra
by Emilio Pucci $ 79 Guerlain – ablush and bronze combo that looks great on
olive skin. For a subtle glow, we are crazy about Terre Saharienne Bronzing
Powder in Tanned $ 61 Yves Saint Laurent. It super-smooth texture blends
beautifully into skin for an incredible radiance.
Guerlain
Terra Azzurra by Emilio Pucci
