You might be on holiday but who says you should stop caring what you look like? From sun cream to sunglasses, cover-ups to cool bag must-haves, there’s a big old checklist you need to familiarise yourself with before you hit the beach.
First up comes protection, but it’s not only those with a pasty pallor that need shielding from the sun. Coming from a country where we very rarely have to deal with the full force of its rays, it’s imperative you use a sufficient sun cream to stop your skin from burning – none of these factor 8 oils that were deemed suitable back in the 60s. As a rule, factor 30 should be your number one choice as it means that you can stay in the sun 30 times longer than you could without any protection. Oh, and it’s a total myth that wearing a high factor sun cream will prevent you from tanning, it just might take a little longer to reach that golden brown.
If you’ve come under fire from the ball of fire beating down on the beach, it’s a good idea to arm yourself with some cover-up clothing. Hats are a must, especially for children, but they also go some way on saving you from that unattractive pink scalp. Body-wise, sarongs are a winner all round, but men- if you don’t fancy doing a Beckham, just pop a t-shirt in your bag to give those shoulders a rest from the rays.
Squinting speeds up wrinkles so if you haven’t invested in a pair of sunnies before your beach break we advise getting some, pronto. They also shade your eyes from the sun and you can have a sneaky sleep whilst you’re wearing them too! Just remember to take them off before you wade into the sea.
Beach life can be hard work, just ask the locals, so make sure you pack plenty of bottles of water before you settle down on the sands, as dehydration can lead to headaches that can sometimes be worse that a hangover from the night before. In some resorts such as Greece and Spain, fruit sellers will also pitch up on the beach selling thirst-quenching treats including juicy watermelon and pineapple. Not to be used as an alternative to water, but the perfect addition to a mid-morning snack.
One for the women – if you just can’t bear leaving your apartment without any make-up, use a tinted moisturiser with SPF already included, a slick of the genius invention we know and love as waterproof mascara and a dab of tinted lip balm. While it might not sound like a lot, once you’ve started to get that holiday glow, you might even feel brave enough to bare all.
Last, but not least, when you’re protected, hydrated and looking the part, you need a good book or a glossy mag to complete the look. They’re great to hide behind too!
