How not to look a state on a beach holiday

[Enzbear]

First beach holiday abroad in two years coming up in 3 weeks. Yay.
I've been busy googling some (staged) beachy pictures knowing I never quite pull it off.
But going to give it my best shot anyway-
I'm slim but extremely pale so probably going to start building up a fake tan.
Bought new bikini's and kaftan thing.
Have a few hats as my hair doesn't fair well. Tried beachy waves once, absolute disaster!
Pedi and paint toe nails.
Any other tips? What do you do? Especially with your hair? Products etc?

@peaceanddove

I can recommend SVR Blur facial sunscreen. Very sheer, SPF50 and it creates a soft focus effect on your skin.

As for those mocking our preference to looking groomed on holiday - wearing lipstick and having a good time aren't mutually exclusive.

It's the only time when I can actually get ready without rushing. And try out different make up looks. And wear stuff that can only be worn in hot countries and that hence I don't get much use out of here in the UK. Some evenings I will not change out of my bikini until it's bed time but others I'll take great pleasure in dressing up!

Yes agree with others that I want to snorkel, swim, have fun etc as well as a modicum of looking nice. It's allowed surely?
It is style and beauty and it's a shame if we aren't able to post and comment and share stuff without some people being rude. Maybe some people were going to add something amazing but change their minds when they read snarky comments.
I'm also a bit paranoid about my hair when it's wet, it can get totally out of control, if you don't have that kind of hair you will never understand.
I've learned to use hats and leave in conditioner but now I've got loads of other tips about hair and everything else so thanks.

Great thread, and I also used to get blowdried hair before I went on holiday and try and not get my hair wet, until I discovered the game changer that is a Brazilian blow dry. Now I get regular BBDs throughout the year so my hair behaves on holiday and I'm happy if it's wavy. No frizz!
Also gel pedi (no mani as my nails are so short, just Dior nail glow for a lovely rosy healthy shine), good lipsticks and glosses always, plus mascara and bronzer (benefit Hula) for evenings.
I do a fake tan before I go so I don't feel too pale (for me. I tan really well after a few days). I love Bondi Sands dark for a really natural and not orange colour).
Finally yes to all the bikinis, over shirts, denim shorts and cotton maxi dresses (Aspiga do lovely ones) and flat sandals. Maybe an espadrille wedge if I can be bothered.
I love the look of big shady hats but they make my head too hot!
And I am a huge fan of ultra sun tinted face sun protection, don't mind at all what use on my body but no higher than factor 30 as I'm olive skinned). Wishing I was on holiday now! 🌞 🏝

Oh yes a lovely huge beach bag is essential ( I have a becksondergaard bag) and a fab bikini x 3, I love solid and striped.

Loving that I'm not the only one to have discovered the miracle that is a Brazilian/Keratin blow-dry. Absolute game changer and means I don't have to pack my GHDs.

For me, a large part of the pleasure of being on holiday is being able to wear the brighter colours and floaty clothes that just don't work in the UK. It's also the only time I wear a bright lipstick, big gold hoop earrings and glittery sandals too.

It's just an extension of my joy of dressing up as a little girl. Totally harmless and very enjoyable. It doesn't mean I won't also be snorkeling, playing pool volley ball, sight seeing, drinking cocktails and going on boat trips, too. I'll be doing all of them - but I will be looking damned glamorous while doing it.

So don't mock. What on Earth is wrong with injecting a bit more colour and frivolity into your life? Stomping around in Skechers, Cotton Traders shorts and bad hair genuinely does not make you an inherently better person, trust me.

Hair is tied up or back during the day- it’s long and thick so wearing it loose in hot weather is like wearing a fur coat. Then always needs to be washed as I’ll have been in and out of the sea/pool all day. Rough dry a bit, wind it up into a bun while I get ready, and that’s enough to create nice big waves for the evening. Very little effort needed.

Face- BB cream with SPF on the beach, top up as needed. Waterproof mascara. That’s all that’s needed. Light makeup in the evening but not as much as I’d wear at home.

Toenails painted. I like glitter colours because you can touch them up without it showing. I leave fingernails bare, though- they always look lovely and fresh after a few days on the beach, and polish always chips so not worth the hassle.

Big brimmed hat at all times. Swapped for a scarf/headband when I’m in the sea. I’ll be honest, the latter looks shit, but a lot less shit than a peeling, post-sunburnt parting. Also sunglasses at all times and I have a specific cheap plastic pair for bobbing around in the sea. A bit of faff, but worth it not to be squinting.

Gradual tan every evening removes the temptation to take silly risks with spf.

@Happy36

bellabride Your toenails buy up most of west London, take over the U.K. press, then invade the Ukraine. I'd stick to gel, frankly.

Stomping around in Skechers, Cotton Traders shorts and bad hair genuinely does not make you an inherently better person, trust me.

Or a worse one.

’Stomping around in Skechers, Cotton Traders shorts and bad hair genuinely does not make you an inherently better person, trust me.’

You’d also get burnt nipples.

@Happy36

bellabride Your toenails buy up most of west London, take over the U.K. press, then invade the Ukraine. I'd stick to gel, frankly.

Stomping around in Skechers, Cotton Traders shorts and bad hair genuinely does not make you an inherently better person, trust me.

What peaceanddove said. Wish I had the balls to say this to a couple of my colleagues.

If you have long hair and are going swimming, tie it so that you don't emerge with messy hair. A french plait is good

My hair is thick and long, l tie it back and put serum or conditioner in it before l swim in the sea.

Yes to the conditioner. I emerged from the waves once and walked round for hours afterwards with a tangled mop hairstyle. DP didn't tell me.

@Happy36

Stomping around in Skechers, Cotton Traders shorts and bad hair genuinely does not make you an inherently better person, trust me.

What peaceanddove said. Wish I had the balls to say this to a couple of my colleagues.

@peaceanddove couldn't agree more. For those posting about how they don't care how they look, good for you but stop with the judgy, judgy. If you don't care how you look, why are you even commenting?

@deadlanguage - thanks for the mosquito repellent suggestion. Sick of deet melting everything and not actually repelling anything. Sadly wispy hair is everywhere now - I’ve always had fine hair, but now it seems to stop growing at random lengths in some spots. So other people might get their hair a bit mussed or tousled in the wind, whereas I look like I’ve never brushed it. I’m pretty self-conscious about this anyway, but at least at home I can generally control it. Holidays mean not being able to do that so well. I’d settle for not looking like I’ve been living with wild animals when I’m away

Swimsuit. Matching wrap and hair clip and decent sunglasses

It's not a question of putting on lipstick vs having fun. It's spending £££ on treatments that absolutely noone will notice or care about to go on holiday where you should be relaxing. I'd rather spend the cash on going out for a lovely meal.

@mojoj agree. It's the style and beauty board. Why come on here if you don't care about style and beauty? Just skip it.

I've just come back from holiday and there was lots of lovely mums with topknots and shirts as coverups by the pool. Gel nails, brows and lashes. Lots of high waisted bikinis and one pieces.

I wish I had time to have mine done but couldn't fit it in. Personally I would have felt more confident with them done and a better fitting bikini.

Shellac on nails, big glam sunglasses,

MissAmbrosia but I notice and I care, and that's all I'm bothered about. And we will still be enjoying plenty of lovely meals on holiday, too.

Also, it's pretty daft to come onto the, you know, Style & Beauty board and disparage people for caring about their appearance.

It's like walking onto The Dog House and mocking people who like animals, or going onto the cooking board and asking why they give a toss about food and cooking.

You all sound so glamorous! Everything I try to be on holiday but never pull off. I'm too fair skinned, I like the idea of beachy waves but my hair looks like a salt crusty mess and I've never managed to tie a sarong so that it doesn't fall off!

But it's fun trying and I can't wait to be in the sun trying some of these tips.

Also fascinated to know what a Russian pedicure is!