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.

@impossibleimposter Dont worry about the mascara, put it on at night if you are going out, but not to swim in. that's daft.

Chlorine IS a problem tho, and the amount of kids piss in the water will make it worse. Invest in a decent shampoo to strip the chlorine. I am a masters swimmer, before I learned about what chlorine did to hair my poor hair was literally like straw. ONE dose of Paul Mitchell 3 and it was better. You can get some good shampoos for kids that take out the chlorine, or Mane and Tail is excellent. make sure to remove chlorine from skin use moisturiser

https://www.ultrabeehealth.co.uk/products/pre-swim-protection-cream?srsltid=AfmBOop2dR9uNQT4R8vm0SGDZLU1V7EIdYxiqXFzaPNJ0hFN9U6BwyUc
This will be more hydrating on your skin more than anything. I've bought it for myself and I'm so happy that something like this is available.

A little hint of a fake tan works wonders for me on holiday.

Where I'm from they say to shower and wash with shampoo and soap before getting in the pool. The reasoning is that firstly wet hair will absorb less chlorine as it is already saturated but also that chlorine reacts with dirt, so if you're clean you won't smell of as much chlorine after you've been swimming. So might be worth considering showering beforehand :)

@MzHz surely it’s important to try and look and feel your best all the time? It’s not just about what others think, it’s about your own self confidence

I have sensitive skin with redness too and chlorine makes it worse I am also quite low maintenance and this is my post swimming approach. I regularly have my eyelashes and brows tinted so they have some colour:

1. Wet hair before going in the pool - wet hair absorbs less chlorine
2. Afterwards, wash hair and add conditioner and then leave it in. Twist and clip up. I let it hair dry then.
3. Slap a bit of mosituriser on (all over body including face - I use E45 Lotion for everything)
4. Rosalique (colour correcting, sensitive cream with sun protection. Evens colour out really well - no fragrance - adds some warmth to complexion.
5. Prometics mascara for mature women - sensitive, fragrance free smudgeproof, lengthens and thickens.
6. If I am feeling fancy I also use nude pometics wand for lip/cheek colour.

A bit of facial tanning oil might help.

If you want to hide the rosacea, Rimmel London 24 hour foundation stays on in water, and is quite light and natural looking. You won't look like you are wearing it. It will come off on the towel when you dry your face, though.

Maybelline Colossal waterproof mascara really works. Or you could get lashes and brows professionally tinted before you go.

I agree with a PP that washing hair and leaving in a very light application of conditioner, then tying hair in a bun is fine. Or wash and dry it then rub some body or hand cream into your hands - I use Palmer's cocoa butter or Origins ginger souffle and then very very lightly skim your hands over your hair where it looks frizzy and dry. That kills the frizz.

When I swam often, I would comb conditioner into my hair before getting into the pool, and tie it in a tight bun. the conditioner protected my hair from chlorine. then wash and condition it normally once you get out.

Cleanse your face with a sensitive skin product to get rid of the chlorine and maybe put on some tinted moisturiser.

Spray tan, lash extensions and oil your hair into a chic low bun. Wash it later.

edited: obviously wash the chlorine out with shampoo but don’t about drying and styling just oil it and let it have a little treatment

Aw this is actually really sad to read. I bet you look lovely regardless. If you wear any makeup you'll just be really conscious of it smudging etc. Spend time working on your confidence- maybe some counselling.

Could you use it instead of a tint and leave it on for a week or so? Or is that not advised?

Wow thank you for all of the advice! I have only now had the chance to check.

Leave in conditioner I never thought of this! That’s a great tip. And low bun after which will work with my cycling helmet - sorted.

my eyebrows are tinted and tend to last long enough for a holiday but I’ve been disappointed with how long lash tints last before so never bother. will buy one of the mascaras instead I think.

Yes I’m not sure if legging post swim will be the best idea especially with small DC to get ready too.

thank you for all the confidence boosting tips too. I’m not unconfident really but my skin has got me down recently and so that affects it day to day.

I often wear joggers when we go swimming or travelling. I wear Adidas Beckenbauer Track Pants- they’re slim fitting and flattering, but easier to get on and off than leggings. I think they look more presentable than normal joggers, but maybe I’m kidding myself 😂

You absolutely could as a one off, but I find that after more than 24/48hrs it makes the lashes feel a little bit brittle. I would be worried that over time it would damage the condition of them.

I did wear it for a week and didn't notice any damage, but i wouldn't want to risk it regularly :)

Nobody is "ugly"

Swim, change, go & do the next thing, simple !

The only thing that you need to wear is a smile & be confident !

For biking, wear comfortable trousers & layers on top
Take a small rucksack, so that you can remove layers into the rucksack.
Take a reusable water bottle & some snacks
It doesn't matter if you get dirty in the mud & rain

Just enjoy yourself & be happy !

Life is far to short to be miserable !

I also have long hair and find it a right pain when I swim/gym before work and need to wash and dry it. I do:

• get a keratin treatment, this cuts down the blow drying time, as well as making your hair lovely and smooth
• bring TWO microfibre hair turbans. Once out of shower, wrap hair up as normal in turban 1. Dry your body. Then replace turban 1 with turban 2. This helps to absorb more moisture.
• before blowdrying, use a spray designed to shorten your blow dry time. Cloud Nine Quick Dry Potion is meant to be the best. I use the KMS one which is cheaper but not quite as good.

Last time we went to CP I made a mental note to paint finger and toe nails with fluorescent varnish next time... it looks so good in the outside pool at nighttime!

CC cream if you don’t use it already (haven’t RTFT) - I have rosacea and it gives good coverage and is quick to apply.

So? I like to feel like I’ve made an effort every day, not just on a fancy holiday. That’s my, and the OP’s choice.

OP a few more suggestions. When I go to the gym before work I cleanse my face and then Use a tinted moisturiser, just to even my skin tone out a bit without looking like I’m wearing full face. I also sometimes use a clear mascara just to give my lashes a bit of definition, plus a tinted lip balm. Might work for you too.

Have a lovely time.

I think leisure centres pools just make everyone look awful 😂 I’m always happy how I look when I’m out and about in the day or at the pool on holiday. Somehow I always look horrific after going swimming with my DC at a leisure centre!! It must be the chlorine…and wrangling kids in small, dirty cubicles, I’ve never found a mascara that doesn’t smudge somehow!!

Enjoy your time at CP, just focus on getting back to your chalet and properly washed/dressed after.

Get a lash lift and tint or lash extensions.
Bit of botox a couple of weeks before you go

I think you have got some great advice on this thread op. I'm also making notes for my future swims 🙂

@BermudaBlues I like simplicity of one moisturizer all over after swimming (you mentioned the E45 lotion). Please can I ask what you clean your skin/face with in the shower after swimming?

What a pointless reply. The OP does care. You might as well wonder why anybody cares what they look like at all.

How close is your cabin to the pool? If only a few minutes cycle ride you could just cycle back, have a proper shower/moisturise and then feel better about getting on with your day. That's what I did last summer

Well no I get why you'd care what you look like at the Oscars, or your own wedding, for instance, I don't really get why you'd care what you look like on an activity-based holiday.

And I personally find it sad that OP has described herself as ugly and hideous and needing to do stuff to look half decent. I'm also a bit sad that some posters think that spray tans, eyelash dying or Botox are needed for a weekend in a forest. But people have different views, hence discussions happen.

L'Oréal or Maybelline waterproof mascara. Hell you can't even get it off when you want it off using make up remover 🤣