Help me be less ugly after swimming!

[impossibleimposter]

Off to Center Parcs in Half Term. I haven’t been for ages and haven’t nailed the post swim routine so I don’t look hideous. My skin isn’t looking good at the moment with some rosacea so I don’t feel comfortable going completely bare faced day to day.

Any recommendations for a decent, genuinely waterproof mascara please?

And afterwards, what do you do with your face and hair to look as half decent as possible? My hair is shoulder length, thick and frizzy/course. Looks fine in a messy bun or pony when dry but takes an age to dry and pool hair dryers don’t touch it! The chlorine will make my skin tight but I don’t think the quick pool side showers will mean I can do a full cleanse etc! But equally can’t just leave it.

Finally what kind of clothes for active hols like CP? We will be biking everywhere.

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

Basically this is correct.

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

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

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).

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

Most importantly don’t let how you look affect your day!

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

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.

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.

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?

Also second the boots mascara 👆🏼it stays rock solid

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!!!

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.

Get hold of some Soolantra ASAP - your rosacea will clear up very quickly. And get some nice hair pins and butterfly clips and practice up dos to keep your hair out of the water.

I’d go no make up in the pool, it’s safer! I have roseacea and skin soothing cream and Cetaphil wash, lrp spf keep it calm x Nobody looks good after the pool op, although they do have that fab glow that comes the relaxation or fun!

It really does. I committed the grave sin once of going to sleep in it. Absolutely perfect next day lol.

Never comes off swimming. Unfortunately it doesn't thicken my lashes enough for me so I wear it daily on my bottom lashes as I have long ones and they can smudge easily. Top I tend to use 5D lash from revolution. But it's not waterproof unfortunately.

Is that cruelty free do you know?

I go swimming a lot & have rosacea & frizzy hair so I'd like to see these recommendations!

Are there shampoos etc esp for post chlorine?

I just use Aussie but take time having a long shower thoroughly washing & conditioning my hair. I usually leave it to dry naturally. If you want it sleek/dry can you take a Dyson dryer to the accommodation?

It is so much better than any other hair dryer.

For my skin I use a nice cleanser in the shower (the small bottles I've got from advent calendars) then asap (before drying or anything) put on a good moisturiser (clarins beauty flash balm I find the best for this).

For got about mascara. I'd have a lash tint before the holiday.

Soolantra is a 1% Ivermectin cream. Ivermectin is an anti-parasite drug. It kills the demodex mites on the face, an infestation of which is the root cause of rosacea.

Get your eyebrows and eyelashes tinted and ditch the make up until after swimming.

I've been to centerparcs loads of times, and every time I take make up then never wear it. I do often have an eyelash tint and lift, and gel nails before I go.

After the pool, I just add a lot of leave-in conditioner, then tie my hair back, and straighten it later. Could you take cleansing wipes, for after the pool? I don't bother, but my skin isn't very sensitive.

It's not a dressy-up type of place, so I definitely go comfy and practical, e.g. jeans and a jumper. Trainers. If you will be cycling everywhere, think about how you will carry stuff - will you want to carry a backpack everywhere, or will you want a smaller handbag that you can cycle with without it getting in the way?

It's very cruel to the mites making my face look like that! It's a prescription cream. Farmers on here know it for being used on chickens to kill parasites! It's a miracle cream for me.

No idea about animal testing before it was used on humans though, sorry.

My hairdresser recommended this to protect my hair. (Mine is curly, corse and frizzy!) Doesn't help with drying so better for summer use when you wash it out, bung on some product and air dry. But might be useful. I usually wear a lot of hats at center parks this time of year to keep my head warm as my frizzy hair takes so very long to dry.

it's an expensive holiday camp, not the maldives

Microblading!

An absolute game changer for me.