How To Survive Summer Holidays

TIPS ON SUMMER BEAUTY

Ok, so at the moment there may be not much sun at all, but when it does come out, you will be wanting to be able to dash out in your favourite bikini bronzed and ready for some summer lovin'.

Skin cancer is one of the biggest killers in Australia, so what's the safest way to do it? FAKE IT!

Guaranteed, fake tan is the quickest and easiest way to turn a pasty white body into one that would be suitable for Baywatch.

Streaks, you say? Ok, so there is a downside to faking it, but you just need to follow a few tips and you will be beautifully bronzed in no time.

1. Pick the right shade for you depending on whether you're fair-skinned or darker-skinned. Most self-tanners come in two shades - light or dark. Pick the one closest to your face, without a tan. If in doubt, pick the lightest version until you're sure about your colour.
   
   
2. Decide if you really want your face to be as dark as your body. Most salons use a lighter version for the face for all but the darkest skinned clients.
   
   
3. The first thing you should do is a head-to-toe body scrub with a mild-exfoliating product. Rough, dry areas will soak up more color than the rest of you and leave you looking blotchy. Areas to be careful in are elbows, heels, and knees.
   
   
4. Now your skin should be smooth all over. Any areas that feel less-than-smooth need a little moisturizer to make them equal with the rest of you.
   
   
5. To stop orange hands, before applying self-tanner, massage a pea-sized dab of silicone-based hair product into your palm. This will block the self-tanner from being absorbed into your hands.
   
   
6. Self-Tanner should be built-up, layer by layer. DON'T OVER DO IT!! You can always reapply if you want it to be darker. Start with your feet, and work your way up the body to your ears. Leave tops of hand until last.
   
   
7. Avoid getting self-tanner on lips, eyelids, brows and nails.
   
   
8. Your tan should last up to 7 days. To keep colour, just reapply every week. If your first coat is too light, simply reapply.
   
   
9. Watch out for products that lift off top layers of skin, as this will alter your tan. This includes scrubs, waxing and shaving.
   
   
10. Don't save your self-tanner from one season to the next. Buy fresh to prevent ingredient breakdown and blotchy colour.
    
    
11. Don't forget that a tan won't protect you from wrinkles or skin cancer. SLIP on a shirt, SLOP on some sunscreen, SLAP on a hat and SLIDE on some sunnies anytime you're out in the real thing!
    

So now you're covered in sunscreen with your hat, shirt and sunnies, and you're ready to jump in the pool, you might have forgotten something: your HAIR! Hate that stringy feeling when you jump out? Here's a few handy hints for that little problem:

If you rinse your hair with normal water before you swim it will keep strands from soaking up too much chlorinated water.

Even though they aren't the most attractive things to wear, whenever possible, wear a bathing cap. After the swim always remember to rinse your hair. If your hair gets a greenish tint (a reaction to the chemicals) use the following recipe to restore your natural color.


Green Away

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp baking soda
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp mild shampoo

Directions:
Mix all ingredients really well.
Wet hair and massage with mixture; making sure all the ends are coated.
Cover head with a plastic bag or shower cap, and leave on for 20 minutes.
Rinse, and shampoo as usual.

Serves: One treatment