Help me be less ugly after swimming!

OP I was worrying about looking ok during and after the pool for our holiday last yr. First holiday with a pool, in France on a campsite. But after day 1 looking around at lots of different bodies and noone caring I felt quite free to not care! You'll be the same. Honestly. Just enjoy yourself. Noone will be judging.

Having looked on Mumsnet recently for tips, I got a prescription for soolantra for my rosacea and it's been amazing.. literally zapping it away. That's helped me feel better about my naked face.

It seems so sad when people describe themselves as ugly. Mind you, 3 days ago I was cleaning my face and looked in the mirror - okay the magnified side (no one should do that unless plucking hairs!) and I nearly howled! My face looked like an un-made bed! I knew I have lines around my eyes but bloody hell! My face was all creased too! It did eventually settle down and turning my mirror the other way was not as drastic!!!

Also second the boots mascara 👆🏼it stays rock solid

I find a rosy cheek balm that you can quickly rub in works wonders. French plait hair? Second brow and lash tint. Some small earrings that are fine in water adds to you feeling more ‘ready’ afterwards.
Activewear - a nice bodywarmer is a good investment and some decent leggings?

The only genuine mascara that I have eveeused that doesn't come off when swimming is this:

https://www.no7beauty.co.uk/stay-perfect-mascara-7ml/13425291.html

It doesn't make your eyelashes the thickest but it will still stay on. Only really hot water and my hot cloth cleanse cream from superdrug gets this off.

Are you open to trying lash extensions? They changed my life. You dont have to go for the the centipede eye look, I get lots of comments that mine just look like someone who was blessed with gorgeous lashes and other than keep them dry for the a day after you get them, they last fine in pools, etc on holiday. You just brush them through and you’re good to go.
I feel like you do after swimming, similar hair etc but knowing my lashes look great is a lovely little confidence boost.

Can you get a lash lift and tint before you go? Then no need for waterproof mascara

take a nice mini cleanser (space nk to great travel minis) and moisturiser. Some concealer and bronzer to pop on immediately after swimming.

A nice claw clip to pop your hair into when wet.

Some comfy trousers (H&M have nice tracksuit bottoms in their Move range - leggings after swimming is not the one!) and a jumper or sweatshirt

Get some waterproof earrings to wear in the pool - this elevates the post swim look immediately

I’m sure you don’t look awful! But my advice would be:

• Fake tan before you go
• eyebrow tint and shape and lash tint
• quick wash, leave in conditioner and sleek pony/bun and get a nice headband or scarf to go over the top
• tinted moisturiser with spf for after shower
• Nice athleisure (I love M&S good move but H&M and primark do nice stuff!). Leggings, top and oversize quarter zip it my go to look

I get what you mean. For me it’s the worst part of holidays- I don’t care so much what others think, but I care what I think. I hate catching a glimpse of myself in a mirror and thinking ‘urgh’.

Anyway, what helps me after swimming is just drying the top/ front of my hair. I also have very thick, frizzy hair. Then stick it in a low bun. I put on a little moisturiser, when that has sunk in then some oil control powder- helps control the shine, adds some colour to my pale face and hides the red cheeks. I just use Maybelline waterproof mascara, works fine for me. Quickly pencil in eyebrows again (must try tinting!) and a bit of lipgloss (Mac Lipglass is great).

Another one echoing the lash lift and tint. So good. Just make sure it’s done a few days before you go.

Basically this is correct.

Not helpful for anyone to be talking about themself as ugly, hideous etc.

Eyelash lift n tint. The difference is soooo amazing
i rarely get it done cos im tight lol but it’s excellent

Op I always used to look hideous after swimming - very frizzy hair and very pale so I basically look like the living dead. I like to think I look a lot better these days but I had to throw some money at it..:

1. Keratin treatment on my hair - life changing. I can now wash and go and not look like Worzel Gummage. I do the strongest one possible

1. Tom Ford waterproof mascara - expensive but doesn't smudge

1. Because I'm pale I use the benefit cheek stain - doesn't budge in the water. If you have rosacea you have the opposite problem I guess but maybe look into make up that has more staying power

1. Ambre Solaire fake tan spray for the face - I've used loads of diff tans over the years and this is by far the easiest, quickest and most natural looking one.

But agree with PP above that a big friendly smile always makes someone more attractive!

Hope some of this helps - enjoy CP!

Soak your hair in the shower then wear a swim cap to avoid chlorine build up. I swim several times a week, don't like the swim shampoos and this avoids getting sticky sparkly hair. But if you're only at centre parcs for a few days it won't be that bad.

If you've got thick frizzy hair is it actually curly? Maybe try some products for curly hair.

You'll be glowing from all the activities you do so give your skin a rest from makeup, put on some moisturiser after your swim, and enjoy looking marvellous after your holiday.

You're not ugly, hideous, or any of the words you've used to describe yourself. Be kinder to yourself.

Before I started getting lash extensions I used this:

https://a.co/d/ftBN4JM

Love this!

I agree, wet hair with leave in conditioner or plait. Also a mircofibre hair towel for when you get out to help with drying and frizz control.

Charlotte tilbury has a lovely tinted moisturiser I love. Eyelash and eyebrow tint as recommended and a peel off lip tint prior to swimming. A nice body butter after showering off chlorine.

When I went to CP, I pretty much only wore Next active wear leggings and crop tops/crop jumpers and at night I’d get dressed up.

Have the best time!

And I don't want to sound ridiculously cheesy... But confidence and a huge smile. I truly mean it when I've never seen a happy smiley person and thought isn't their face red/hair a mess/aren't they ugly! Only ever they look happy and like they are enjoying life ♥️

A swim hat. No expert but I'm guessing a good one might protect your hair to the point you don't need to wash it at the swimming pool.

Maybelline have a long lasting 24 hr (two step) lip colour out at the moment that does not budge at all.

Kiss Me Heroine Make Mascara is so waterproof and budge proof that you need their special remover.

I have worn it for a week before and it only finally came off when I found the remover (I was travelling).
During that time I washed my face every night with foaming cleanser and it didn't budge lol.

I don't use it everyday because it's a pain to remove, but it you want something that is going nowhere, no matter what you do, then it's the one for you.

Leave in Conditioner after washing hair in pool showers is great. I like to French braid my hair when it is damp and then a few hours later I take it out to lovely waves.

The Dr Jart recommended above it good for redness. La Roche Posay have one too, which I prefer.

@impossibleimposter
Perhaps you can swim with your hair in a messy bun? If you like the look of a messy bun? Or a braid/plait. Very practical, and cute.

I would skip the mascara, waterproof or non-waterproof, when swimming.

Have fun! Sounds like a lovely time, with swimming and biking!

I was also going to suggest lash and brow tint plus Erborian CC colour corrector!

I would suggest an eyebrow and eyelash tint before you go. Wash your hair and leave-in conditioner is a good shout. Then I also use a CC cream with spf when I've had a swim - chlorine water dries my skin and hair out massively.

I’ve been to CP many times @Namechangetry and I always try and look my best. I don’t give a stuff what anyone else looks like or whether they are au natural or not. Maybe the op feels the same. Just a thought.

I braid my hair, wet it well, put a little bit of leave in conditioner on, then my swim cap. No mascara, it doesn't survive the pool. After my swim, I shower and either leave my braids down or wrap around my head and pin. I use aquaphor on my lashes and brows, aloe vera gel on my skin, and a tinted lip balm or one with sunscreen.