Oh dear, it is that time of year again when panic sets in about baring all. If we are not overweight, we are hairy; if we are not lily white we have dodgy looking toenails or the type of hair that goes berserk as soon as we step on to a beach. Here I have a plan for those who want minimum fuss at not much cost.
I was amused last Sunday while at one of those poolside hotel bars on the beach. The 20 to 35 age group were a bunch of posers, with the real ones standing round the bar and sitting on the loungers nearby. Unfortunately, or fortunately, Cyprus is an island that measures worth by a person’s grooming and image. If you don’t toe the line you are invisible! So get ready for a poolside look on the cheap.
The must-haves are painted toes and fingers, sunglasses, a sun hat, either shorts and a light and loose top or a long kaftan style top for over your swimwear and hair that is slicked back or tied up tidily into a pony tail or bun, some mascara and a lip gloss.
Not everyone can afford lazer treatments or waxing, so invest in an epilator to de fuzz as often as you like without having to pay. The trick is to use it on lightly moisturised skin, not greasy as you may compromise the gadget. Use a light, hydrating lotion half an hour or more beforehand to make it less painful. Young girls may need to opt for a waxing session if they have strong hair growth as they may find it painful. Also, don’t attempt strong or long underarm or bikini hair as you will hurt yourself! Older gals with sparse and weak hair growth in those areas though will find an epilator fine to use but cut longer hairs to an inch length first.
A mani-pedi is a must! Toenails need colour but finger nails can be polished with a translucent or neutral shade. Pale mushroom and petal shades look good on shorter nails this year. Oranges and corals are the new nail uniform for hands and feet. Invest in a toenail cutter, cuticle nippers, orangewood sticks, a cuticle removing fluid, a base coat that doubles as a top coat and a nail file. Sally Hansen has the best value for money and quality range and has everything you will need.
Follow this easy method for great nails: Remove old polish. Cut and file toenails straight across. Soak in warm soapy water for 15 minutes. Take one foot out of the water and apply cuticle remover to cuticles. Use the hoof-shaped end of the cuticle stick to gently push back the cuticles and gently scrape loose bits of cuticle off the nail surface. Then, using the cuticle nipper, trim any loose bits of cuticle that have appeared without cutting into the skin or too much of the cuticle. Repeat with other foot. Diabetics should get medical advice before cutting anything on their feet! Rinse toenails. Use nail polish remover on cotton wool to de-grease nails. Let dry then paint a layer of base coat on all ten toenails. Apply one or two coats of your favourite nail colour, then apply top coat. Let dry at least two hours before getting into bed! If you have hard skin build up on the soles, it is best tackled every two days or so in the shower for best results, using a cheap pumice type sponge (about €4). Slather body lotion all over feet afterwards.
Hair can be tied up into a pony tail so that you look chic and tidy, or if it is too short, you can slick it back using either a hair oil spray or body lotion. This look works well with sunglasses on and a bit of translucent lipstick. Use lip balm or Vaseline mixed with lipstick for the latest soft lips look. Plenty of mascara is a must if you don’t want to look washed out. Waterproof and violet colour is preferable. (Clarins has a great one). Brown or black is also cool.
If you feel that you need to lose a little weight or tone up, you know you don’t need a fad diet or expensive trainers and dieticians to do it. There is enough free information out there for you to make informed and sensible decisions about a healthy eating plan and some basic exercise, which let’s face it, is all you need. Eat less and exercise more. That is how to lose weight. If you are financially challenged, buy a couple of keep fit DVDs and do some aerobic and floor exercises at home. It really is fun once you start! As my healthy eating plan guru, Nitsa Killiari (Elodea Centre, Tel: 22 442818) says “cut out stimulants like caffeine, sugar, alcohol and soft drinks” as these are the things that set up the food craving cycle. Fill up on pulses, beans, vegetables, fish and take vitamins and flaxseeds and you will be amazed at the difference in your general vitality and health!
