Xpress Article: Beat the Bikini Body Blues.

Hey guys, as some of you know I now write beauty pages for Xpress Magazine quarterly but was recently asked to do a fill in feature for the regular weekly issue. I decided to focus on the fact that beach and bathers weather is upon us and that it can be pretty scary!

If you’d like to download a copy of how it looks in the magazine you can do so: here (PDF version).

Otherwise read on for my top tips to beat the bikini body blues…

Summer is a comin, and with it, the promise of glorious sunny days and heat which can only be quelled by a trip down to the beach and a dip in the ocean followed by an icecream or bevvy. Sounds great right? You’ve picked out your adorable vintage inspired bikini online, stalked the postman for days and when it finally arrives somethings not quite right… suddenly you realise “I’M NOT READY FOR THIS NEAR NAKED PUBLIC DISPLAY OF FLESH!” and vow to spend summer indoors, dreaming of a snowy getaway.

But don’t give up hope just yet, if you’re in need of some guidance follow these tried and tested tips to beat the bikini body blues and reclaim the beach this summer!

IPL / SPL

Most people have heard of Intense Pulsed Light / Square Pulsed Light by now, but in a nut shell it’s a relatively quick and simple treatment that involves applying bursts of intense light to areas of the body to reduce hair growth (feels like a rubber band snapping on your skin, no worse than waxing).

It works incredibly well on bikini lines, legs and underarms and for those who are prone to ingrown hairs, is nothing short of miraculous (I used to be one of them and haven’t had an ingrown since)!

The real beauty of this treatment is in the freedom it allows you, with treatments every 6 weeks and a diminishing amount of hair each time, it gets easier and easier to slip into your bathers without any rogue hair worries. It works best on those with fair skin and dark hair, and is my number one tip for making summer easier.

There are plenty of places that offer these treatments, I’ve had great luck with: http://www.hairfree.com.au

Move Yourself

This one gets mentioned so much that it’s become more than a little redundant, there is a reason for the constant reminding though: IT WORKS! Exercising is the best way to burn calories and stress, plus get endorphins flowing around your body, all three of which will make you feel great and help you look good.

There are 54 million ways to get moving, from bikram yoga to bike riding, boxing to burlesque dancing – they will all help you get a toned tum and bum, plus improve your posture so that you stand up tall as you take your first tentative steps onto the sand this summer – just don’t burn your feet! Once you’re at the beach, you can even take it a step further by getting into some frisbee, beach volleyball, jogging along the shoreline with a pup… or you could take the unconventional approach and go for a swim.


Full Body Exfoliation

It’s time to put TLC’s “No Scrubs” out of your mind and allow yourself to enter the wonderful word of exfoliation. There’s something about having every inch of your body scrubbed that makes for feeling completely physically and mentally cleansed. It’s a great post-winter ritual that will leave your skin free of built up dead skin cells and able to get rid of toxins more efficiently. It will also make you look all smooth and glowy, which will help ease the pain of taking the majority of your clothes off. So make like a snake and shed that winter skin, you can have this done professionally at a day spa, purchase a cheap body scrub or make your own out of sugar and olive oil.

To (Fake) Tan or Not to (Fake) Tan…

So far we’re free of pesky hairs, feeling the benefits of exercising up a storm and have smooth glowing skin – so what next? The divisive topic of tan vs no tan of course!

Now I’m going to optimistically assume that everyone is onboard with me when I say: actual sun tanning is a Pretty Silly idea given we live in Australia and are unfortunately in peak hour public transport style proximity to our good friend the ozone hole, which means we are in the top four countries most at risk of skin cancer. So no sun baking okay? Yes? Great.

So now there are two choices: summery glow vs au naturale. Being of the more ghostly persuasion myself, I’m all for embracing the skin colour you born with. The advent of shows like Mad Men and all of those fancy historical films with beautiful “english rose” types has made being a fair skinned lass as equally acceptable on the beach as having naturally darker skin, so if you’re giving the colour of soy milk a run for its money then you can by all means EMBRACE IT without fear of social exclusion.

Both dark and pale skin needs to be covered up with cute hats, clothing when possible, protective sunglasses and lashings of sunscreen, or my favourite, Invisible Zinc.

If you can’t bear to get bare without a little extra colour confidence, then a spray tan is the best way to go. My pick is local brand Aussie Bombshell, who are currently taking the state (and Australia) by storm with their extremely natural looking sunless tans. You will still need to apply sunscreen though, no getting naughty and slacking off thanks. Yes miss.

These four suggestions should get you well on your way to bikini body confidence, all you need now is a warm day, your favourite beach and the all-clear from the lifeguard that there has been no shark sightings for quite some time. And that bevvy I mentioned earlier. Enjoy!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Beauty & Wellbeing Routine: Zara Bryson…Zara Bryson Boutique!

First up, briefly tell us a little bit about yourself!

I am a 26 year old Boutique owner, dog lover and reality TV addict. My current project is getting my brand new website and online store up and running….I’m preparing for a buying trip to NYC in a month and I’m also doing a little bit of design for my small in-house fashion label which starts arriving at the end of the year…It’s pretty crazy at the moment!

Tell us about your daily beauty routine.

Morning time starts with cleansing, I use Priori Gentle Facial cleanser then I follow with Priori Cellular Recovery serum and then Priori Barrier Repair Complex. Before Makeup I always prime my skin with Nars classic primer. I use Giorgio Armani Foundation and blush…Nars bronzer, Stila Eyeshadow and a Japanese black liquid eyeliner that Ive been using for nearly 10 years…Its by B+C (I order it online) Maybelline or Max Factor Mascara and Nars or Lancome Lip Gloss.

Nightime I always take off my makeup with Simple Cleansing wipes (These are the BEST) wash with Neutrogena’s Oil Free Acne wash to take the days oil and pollution off my skin and follow with Lancome Generifique Youth Activating Serum and Lancome Hydra Zen Nuit Cream.

Image from Aussie Bombshell.

What’s the one beauty treatment you can’t live without? And your favourite place to have it done?

It would have to be a Spray Tan…I’m a very pale girl and I avoid the sun….so a spray tan is an absolute essential for looking good all year round. I will only use Aussie Bombshell. Penni and her team are the best in the business and I wont go anywhere else.

Who do you trust with your hair in Perth, and why?

Melissa at Reno’s in Claremont. She does the best balayage in town. Full stop.

Favourite budget / at home beauty treatment?

I cant beat a simple Aapri face scrub…the stuff is cheap as chips and its been around forever…so great for congestion in your T-zone.

Your three, absolutely cannot live without, favourite products?

Oh gosh….thats an impossible ask but I’ll try…..Simple Cleansing Wipes (I buy 6 or 8 packs at a time…OBSESSED), Carmex Lip Balm and Giorgio Armani Luminous silk foundation.

Do you have any secret tips you use to keep looking / feeling great?

I don’t have any big secrets, I just like to stay on top of the little things like always having manicured and polished fingers and toes…Expertly shaped brows and well maintained hair. I find if I pay attention to those things I have to put in less effort in the morning to make myself look presentable.

What beauty treatment/ wellbeing activity would you love to try but haven’t yet? (Due to time, money, scared etc!)

I would love to try Power Plate classes…I hear they are amazing for fast fat burning! I would also like to try an oxygen facial, I think that sounds so good!

Describe a typical day of eating for you.

I have been following the Dukan Diet for a couple of months and its been working well. I start my day with scrambled eggs and Oatbran Porridge with Soy Milk. Lunch is roasted chicken or veal meatballs and salad or a chicken and veggie soup. Snacks are sugar free jelly and yoghurt. Dinner is Salmon and greens or steak and veggies. It’s lucky I like protein!

Describe your fitness routine.

I have just started Personal Training again…this time with my girlfriends..which is such a nice change. I’ve also been power walking with a friend that lives in my area. I think adding friends to my fitness routine has been fantastic and I notice the difference in my motivation.

Do you take part in any alternative therapies or take supplements? If so, discuss.

I don’t really like taking too many things, but I do take Blackmore’s Immuno Defence when I’m feeling like I’m coming down with something and they work like an absolute charm.

How do you like to relax? What are your favourite ways to de-stress?

I love spending time with my Boyfriend, we enjoy going to the movies or out to breakfast. De-stressing for me simply means not being at work…Oh and I LOVE bad reality TV…I’m a big Kardashians fan.

Thank you Zara for taking time out of your busy, busy schedule to share with us your thoughts on beauty & wellbeing!!

If anyone has any questions please leave them below 🙂

Be well,

xoxo