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?

It's me having the Russian pedicure. It's a very, very thorough pedicure, basically. If you include gel polish then it's nearly £100 at the place I go to in London, but the results are second to none and last forever.

I've just come back from a lux beach resort.
I was studying the chicest women and came to the conclusion that less is more. Gel fingers and toes in neutral colours, no obvious makeup, big sunglasses, straw fedoras, no blingy jewellery and plain swimwear but with gorgeous floaty kaftans. There seemed to be a lot of Melissa Odabash but maybe it's because it was mostly American guests. Also, they all seem to carry similar big straw beach bags.

I don’t think anyone is being rude about being interested in ways to look better on holidays, or a general interest in style and beauty. Some of us just can’t understand sacrificing going swimming on holidays in order to keep your hair looking good.

I do wax, gel nails, pedicure, then I have waterproof mascara and long stay lip colour

I never bother too much about how I look on the beach, though I'd usually get a pedicure and a bikini wax before going, and I wear big sunglasses instead of makeup. My hair is naturally curly and seems to react quite well to sea water, so actually looks better than normal.

But I'd like to join in the thread because I'm so excited at the prospect of my first foreign holiday in 4 years in August! 😍

I'm away in April and this thread is giving me some great tips. Just bought a cute straw bag to take with me.

I suppose it depends on what kind of beach holiday you do. I don’t bother much because I don’t really think I need to. Plus, apart from my husband, there is usually nobody to see me anyway.

I still like reading about what other people do though.

I’m lying on the beach as I type this and can’t see one person that looks a state. The only person that looks a bit weird is a woman in full make up and false eyelashes. I can’t help wondering if it will give her weird tan lines but so does my favourite one shoulder swimsuit!

MimosaSunrise re bites - I always used to get bitten - then someone told me they took garlic tablets to prevent bites and I tried it and touch everything wood not been bitten since - I buy a big pack from Boots - own brand - and I start taking them the week before I leave and continue whilst on holiday-one tablet a day

I can't even manage put together and glamorous at home let alone anywhere else ! I am a large beached whale - I wear one pieces - usually bandeau style and I wear floaty linen oversized shirts on top or the M&S beach throw one or the H&M strapless dresses

For my fine hair it's either in a bun or in plaits - if my anaemia isn't horrendous I would have a gel pedicure and manicure a few days beforehand

Have a lovely beach/pool bag from Tillyanna and a straw fedora from Primark

Always wear SPF50 and tske Chanel or BBrown lip gloss

I tend to live in haviabas by the pool and supergas for walking or Birkenstock

If there is a chance to sit outside in the sun for breakfast lunch or dinner we are there

Leave in conditioner and pretty headscarf or floppy hat for heat frizz. Is your hair long enough to braid/tie up?

Gel nails
Lash lift/perm
Brows shaped
I take a gradual tanner too, incase my fake tan starts to look a bit patchy
Sudocrem for itchy bits /spots or bikini line rash
No7 tinted moisturiser as has good SPF
Slightly wedged flips flops.

Gel nails, lashes and brows tinted, tinted spf lip balm and I wear a sort of “blurring” facial sunscreen. Very pale and I don’t bother with tan as I can’t deal with the patchy stage. For my hair I do braids in the day then take them out in the eve for wave. I’m so jealous OP, feels like a lifetime ago I last went on a beach hol 🥰

Can anyone suggest a good tinted lip balm with a good SPF?

@Snoopsnoggysnog

I get hair blow dried before I leave then just don’t get it wet all week Also wear my usual makeup but adjust for heat

You aren’t serious?!

@peaceanddove, I like ChapStick ones, which are fairly natural but have a look in Boots. Check that it is actually tinted and that it contains an SPF, and you might want one that is waterproof

I have lots of tinted lip balms but can't be sure that the others have SPF

I wouldn't go for a £££ one as I'd probably lose it and I reapply it quite often on holiday so take a spare. I'd also take a plain one with spf as it's the sort of thing that men forget to think about or they just get a no spf one and fry their lips

Apologies for the generalisation but it's based on my experience.

I never get my hair wet on holiday .
I literally swim with a neck like a swan.
I also pride myself on going days without brushing it - curly hair, chlorine and sun don’t mix well
I tie it up or back and that’s the way I roll.
One of the things I love about being on holiday is getting ready to go out and eat lovely food and drink cocktails.
They aren’t mutually exclusive.

@bellabride

I’m wondering what a Russian pedicure is.

Sounds to me like some kind of torture technique used to extract information from captured spies- I'd avoid! 😬

All the large hat wearers - how do you avoid them getting squashed in your suitcase?! I like a straw trilby, destroy them every time

Astonished at level of maintenance. No judgement. Just makes me think I must be a proper scruff!

I don’t get a haircut unless it’s due one. I might get airmpits, legs and bikini line waxed but actually last time I just took a lady shave with me! Probably paint toes.

I take a waterproof mascara and invest in the most flattering swimsuit I can find. That’s it.

KirstenBlest thank you. I haven't thought about Chapsticks for years, they're a real blast from my past.

And, what's the best waterproof mascara. I.always use Max Factor Masterpiece normally, but dislike their waterproof version.

@Llamasally I carry it on the plane rather than packing it

@peaceanddove

KirstenBlest thank you. I haven't thought about Chapsticks for years, they're a real blast from my past.

I had a look through my stash and it's the only one I have that actually states an SPF. They are cheap enough to not worry if you accidentally lose it or get sand in it. The tint is ok but not like lipstick. You could use a lipstain underneath and use that or a plain one.

I'd also recommend a spare set of sunglasses or one of those string things so you don't lose them. Not wildly stylish but better than losing your £££ fave sunnies

I’m so surprised at the judging re not getting hair wet for a few days !!!
Why does it matter to anyone ?! Calling someone ‘one of those mums’ wtf 😳