April and May are indeed the last months of oppressive heat (of course,this does not apply to people residing in Grand Baie,Pointe aux Piments etc where the heat in summer is almost intolerable,and winter still is hotter in those parts than an ordinary summer in the U.K), as June brings slightly cooler weather in preparation for the colder months of July and August.
This is why I am writing this,as beachwear is probably not very discussed here and people tend to wear what they want without much thought put into it.
How can you not think about what you will wear to the beach??Consider:You are exposing much more skin than you do normally.And bearing flesh is a matter which,exempting the supernaturally confident,gives everyone something to slightly obsess about.We want to look good-even if it's just us,and no-one else is looking.Self-confidence is primordial.
And swimsuits make a lasting impression-more than sometimes clothes do.When you think of the late Farah Fawcett,in what clothes do you think her in?The first thing that comes to mind,in many cases,is that swimsuit.
Catch my drift?
So you need to think about a couple of things,the most important I will list here:
1.Preparation:Most Mauritians are already tanned-the sun bronzes skin in a matter of minutes.It is a blessing and a curse.It is very easy to get burnt, to start peeling horribly,and in the most horrible cases,of falling victim to sunstroke or cancer.So you want the max SPF possible when looking for sunscreen,as well as one which looks good on the skin.
For the face I highly recommend La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50+ XL cream.You will probably get it by searching hard enough in pharmacies.
As for the body?You can try La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 XL Face and Body Cream.
Unfortunately,La Roche-Posay is EXPENSIVE.But as long as you keep high SPF (lower than 30 is reckless),waterproof and commercial success in mind,you should be ok.Why commercial success?Because buying very cheap brands that are not sold on a large scale is very risky-you do not know what the effects on your skin may be once the product is applied.
Avene is another favourite:Try Very High Protection Cream SPF 50.
Talking about sunscreen,do you have a tinted moisturizer with SPF?If you don't,you should.I swear by mine-Chanel tinted moisturizer with SPF,bought by MADO, a worthy investment.It protects your face on a daily basis,and sunscreen is the best way to avoid wrinkles later on in life.
Next,invest in an adorable floppy hat which will protect your scalp,face,etc.
To complete the oh-so fashionable look,sunnies!And proper ones,which were designed to protect your eyes!The fake ones that are just coloured glass do more damage to your eyes exposed to the sun.
Another point: Exfoliation and Hair Removal.Apart from on your head,eyebrows and arms (mind that it is not excessive,or just wax it off) the beach is not a place to show off your pubic,back,underarm (etc) hair.
Wax don't shave.Yes,men too.We don't want to see masses of chest or back hair-wax!
Why don't shave?The regrowth time is only a day.Plus,the skin looks like it has a mass of tiny black dots,which isn't pretty.And there is greater risk of the hair follicle being trapped underneath the skin,which can be very painful (ingrown hair).Creams are ok,I guess,but still there is a risk that the sin reacts badly to the chemicals,which could produce problems such as eczema.As for exfoliation,make sure your skin is buffed and free of dead skin cells.
Your hair is important.Make sure to keep the hat on as long as you can.
2.After preparation,time for the swimsuit.Will it be a two or one-piece?That is for you to decide in which you are more comfortable in.I have noted,however,that not many girls here opt for a one-piece or a cutout anymore,even though they look just as sexy,and are better at simultaneously camouflaging whilst rendering more beautiful the appearance of the stomach (if yours has a bump) and hips (which look like a muffin spilling out on the sides in bikini bottoms that are not cut to cover the hips or are not shorts-in essence,those that are held by mere string which cut into the flesh).
ASOS Front Frill Plunge Swimsuit
So many things to take into account!The pattern,the material(please make sure it will handle being pulled and is NOT see through in water),print, detailing,the cut (triangular two piece,shorts,bandeau etc) -so important.But not as important as how it will look on you,and the support (for example bust support,as in under-wire) that the swimsuit offers.So be clever.Go to various boutiques:Infidelle ( I believe they are found in Galerie des Iles,and Phoenix Commercial Centre,but I may be wrong),L'Entrepot,(which offers an AMAZING selection), Billabong amongst others.Ask the sales girl-she is being paid to help as well.Bring a friend if you have to.Find the perfect fit and always be honest with yourself.
Cupped Bandeau Spot Print Swim Suit:ASOS Reversible Spot/Gingham Bikini ;ASOS Asymmetric Cut Out Suit-all ASOS
Think in practical terms.Is it worthwhile always having to pull,readjust or reattach your swimsuit?You need to be only vaguely aware of your clothes when having fun-that is,the complete and utter confidence that the swimsuit will STAY WHERE IT SHOULD.
It is also important to keep your body protected from the rays in an elegant cover up.I would suggest something like this:Its fashionable because of the bright colour,and protects your arms and upper body.
Posture is important:You will look slimmer,more elegant,and taller,if you stand straight.This is of extreme importance when exposing your body.
Blue Gingham Seersucker Bikini,Coral Heart Bandeau Bikini-All Topshop.
3.Think you can just wash off and go to bed?Not so fast.Ever heard of after sun protection?You should have.
This is what you use after washing off after the day to further protect and repair your skin.And NO,you can't skip sunscreen and think you can make up for it with after sun.The two products are made to go together.
The after sun I have used for years is Avene After-Sun Care lotion,which you can find with other Avene products in Pharmacies.
Hair also gets affected by the sun and needs conditioning treatment.For one of the best,try the Kerastase "Soleil" products,designed to be applied to protect the hair when in the sun,and afterwards.The images are of Aqua Seal,to be used before exposing the hair to sun as a protective treatment,and Bain Apres Soleil as well as Masque UV Defense Active to be used afterwards.These are just some in the collection,which you can view here:http://www.kerastase-usa.com/_en/_us/shop_products/soleil/index-sun_exposed.htm Kerastase is used at Golden Scissors Salon-where I have always gone to cut my hair-in Curepipe.
There are plenty of very good alternatives available-just ask a reputable pharmacist,sales girl,or hairdresser.
Have fun
xoxxxo
Alex
