A Thousand for a kiss; Fifty cents for your soul

Let us cavort like the Greeks of old! You know the ones I mean.

One of my favourite places to travel to within Australia is the psychedelic mecca of Byron Bay. I have only been a handful of times in my life, but each visit is more memorable than the last. A time I remember fondly was when I headed south on a de-stressing mini break to the chosen land with one of my favourite party girlfriends, L. Our trip was choc full of relaxing juicy cocktails, fresh salads, shopping for hippie-esque attire and getting our bronze on. After five long days of lounging on the beach (in full SPF30+ zinc coverage MOST of the time, Iswear Mum!) I came back as brown as if I’d gone on a trek to Uluru for a month.

Elated at being a brown blonde beach bunny, I pranced around in my giggly white crocheted mini dresses for the next fortnight enjoying thegorgeous oiled up glow. All the while my denim t-shirt dresses and smoky grey MAC shadows scolded at my complacent carefree attitude toward the wellbeing of my skin.
“It’ll all come crashing down on her and we’ll be here to pick up the pieces you know” whispered my Cheap Monday black maxi skirt to my One Teaspoon navy jumpsuit.”Tell me about it, sister” she replied cattily.I brushed the two of them off, tossing them back onto their hangers - “what would they know!” My silly dark city habiliments had no idea. I was a new girl, one that had no time for pussy bows and lip liner. I was a sun goddess! Little did I know…
 

 The week of post-beach mini shorts flew by until finally the then Beauty Goddess fell out of her half shell. One fateful rainy Wednesday morning, the day of castigation arrived on my door step. I awoke in a fashion fit for a sun queen (in a sweet smelling coconut oil delight with flowers in my hair and feet adorned with silver frippery) to look down and discover, to my horror, I had begun to peel. The honeymoon period was over. The sun had set on my russet island fevered week and I was left to look forward to a month of painful peeling, worrying wrinkles and fresh freckles. L’s beach baby skin is somewhat more resilient than mine and she still looked a golden sun kissed for weeks after, but there was no escaping the peeling and soreness for either of us. I moisturized myself several times a day from that moment on but the damage was done. Nothing could fade those small brown dots and or save me from beingbestowed with those creasing lines around my bottom (by far the most burnt) and décolletage (runner up in the burn scale). The anti beauty mark I carry still to this day as a sign of my poor decision (the decision to act like I was from thecast of the hills, instead of level headed beauty arbiter I truly am).

Although I’d consider myself a fresh bohemian inspired girl at heart, perhaps ‘urban beatnik’ might describe my internal ideals more accurately. I love the hot sand against a fresh sky, the rainfall and the sunshine, fruity drinks at sunset, wearing brown sandals ev-ry-whe-re, making flowered head chains, (read: making out with scruffy long haired backpackers), swimming in the ocean and sleeping under the stars. However, I don’t love running mascara, chapped lips, broken blonde strands. Unfortunately these things typically go hand in hand.

 Being tied between being two different ideals was tricky. On one hand there’s ‘truly-eco-nature-trekking-across-bali’ chic, on the other side of the Christine card theres ‘eating-only-organic-raw-spinach-and-having-medi-facials -and-boredom-for-brunch’ chic. Both which I secretly enjoy in there own ways. Finding some middle ground was tough nut to crack but I made a decision to find some sun smart and sun simulating products to ease the obsessive disciplinarian as well as the naughty carefree elf within.

With sun damage being accountable for 95% of our ageing, the only true anti ageing skin perfecting product is sunscreen. I know just like anyone other beauty lover that sunscreen is simple as pie in theory but when it comes to practical use it can be thick, stinky, heavy and make you break out. No one wants to smell like an old lady (you know the type I mean, the ones with there trolley carry bags and googly spectacles on a fluorescent string that stink of the stuff). But there are a few exceptions to the sunscreen game that can work in your favour. My most favourite of SPF products is Le Tan’s Coconut sunscreen range. It stinks of tropical beachy coconut goodness and is light and easily absorbs into the skin. I use it on days I won’t see a pinch of sunshine because it’s cheaper than most moisturisers and reminiscent of a lighter version of the Body Shop’s classic coconut body butter. It comes in various bottled versions (cream, spray, tanning oil). Le Tan also brought out Le Tan’s Daily Glow with SPF 15, which builds a tan slowly over a week or so and can be maintain with a thin layer every other evening after a shower without the risk of tandoori-ing your sheets.

Although I wouldn’t have a problem using the lighter of these lovely coconut compounds on my face, there is wiser options when it comes to facial sunscreens. Making my products work for me on a multi-purpose level is very important. I always choose day make-up and most moisturisers with an added SPF where possible but one heavy duty all in product really takes the cake in this field. SunSense Daily Face Sunscreen SPF30+ Invisible Tint Finish in Matte formula has helped me no end. It does have a very VERY slight tint (don’t rely on it to replace your foundation) and feels nourishing whilst not making me break out. Trust me on that, EVERYTHING makes me break out at one time or another. This so far has gone strong. Although it is called a matte finish I do find it makes me shiny however its more of a fresh dewy shiny than a greased up ball of sweaty oil that a regular sunscreen would. They also have a lovely anti-ageing range to undo a little youthful sun damage whilst preventing further problems.

One thing that I recommend for anyone that has a golden based hair colour (so, anything from light neutral summer blonde to almost jet black) looks great with a warm fake tan. Although the majority don’t contain any SPF, there are a few gems out there. Murad’s self tanner works great for body and face and contains SPF15 plus is choc-a-block full of antioxidants and free radical fighters to aid in ninja-ing the sunshine nasties. One that’s a little more purse friendly is Neutrogena Sunless tan gives a beautiful glow and contains an SPF20. I have heard of a few spray tans that contain some skin saving sun kickers but none that I have been able to source. When in doubt (even when NOT in doubt) it never hurts to wear sunscreen.

To top the whole glowing from within effect off, I love the Napoleon After Sun Body Oil. This is a product that Napoleon himself introduced me to. It’s part of his tanning range and works similarly to a liquid bronzer but has so many more benefits. Its a starkly bronze and golden flecked hazelnut body oil that catches the light and smells like warm vanilla sunshine. The shimmery golden gleam helps to hide any fake tan misdemeanors and creates spectacular curves. But best of all it’s not just superficial. The oil formulation contains aloe vera to calm skin that is recently burnt hazelnut oil to nurture seared spots. It’s Brazilian goddess in a spritzy bottle.

A few little extras that are important to chuck in your beach bag:

• The Body Shops tea tree oil blotting papers (something that should be in your bag ALL the time in summer). I particularly love the body shop version of the blotting tissues because of the Eco friendly vibe they give with minimal packaging and fair trade ethics. Plus it’s not just a blotting tissue you’re getting out of the product. Theres the added benefit of tea tree oil to clean up any possible germy breakouts and provide that tiny bit of extra anti-sun antioxidant lovin’
• Coconut Powder Deodorant is another Lush goody. It is such a special product! It doesn’t actually stop you from sweating (sweating = toxin release) but will make your sweat smell of sweet island coconut flesh. Not to mention, it will totally compliment your coconut sunscreen.
• The Body Shops vitamin C energizing face spritz is another good one for a little extra antioxidant defense. A good idea is to keep this one in the fridge the night before beach day and chuck it in the your bag next to your water bottle to keep cool for a bright spritz when you feel too hot. Another great way to use this is after your midday mineral makeup top-up. It makes a wonderfully refreshing way to set your powder (similar to how you’d use your mac fix plus but much zestier).

Looking after yourself at the beach doesn’t stop at skin. A decent hair mask is up there with the top most important products for your beach regime. Your hair is one thing that really doesn’t benefit from the sea water and salty air, but the happy marriage between your hair and the beach can be found in the form of sunshine. Did your hairdresser ever tell you that when you put your hair mask on, go sit outside, have a fag and let the sunshine do it’s job? Well, if they didn’t, they should have. The sun rays and your hair mask are best friends. This is why you sometimes see girls at the salon under the heat machines whilst getting there semi permanents. I love System Professional Repair Mask (best for very damaged hair needing keratin) or System Professional Hydrate Mask (for normal to dry hair) and would recommend you to slather that all through your hair and cover with numerous spritzes of KMS Sun Defense whilst you spend a few hours laying out and let it wash out when you take a dip. If your hair is in reasonable to good condition and you’re hoping to come home looking extra beached up, I would first add your deep hair conditioning mask andthen add a layer of Lush’s ‘Marilyn’ over the top. This will ensure you’re coming home with somelighter golden pieces throughout your silken mane, not a frizzy burnt afro.

You can also braid or plait your hair much easier when it’s moistened with product (long fish tail braid + cossie = perfect modern hippy chic) and you’ll have that gorgoeus mermaid-esque styled tresses for the evening ahead. After a week away at in the sunshine it’s best to perform a good clean out of the hair and add some city girl protection back in. Try Wella’s System Professional After Sun Shampoo, followed by a small tube of KMS After Sun Rescue and finished off with a hefty dose of Moroccan Oil. So sun-shiny!

Miss Charlotte O was strutting along in her favourite leopard pumps when *bzzt bzzt* she got a call on her mobile. Reaching into her Alexander Wang Rocco Satchel she pulled out her phone and realised it was her new spikey haired motor cycle boot wearing boyfriend.

“Hola babycakes” she exclaimed happily..

Unfortunately, ‘babycakes’ was calling to dump her ass like a hot sack of dirty laundry.

Charlotte hung up the phone looked up at the sky. She felt tears well in her eyes and a sharp pain in her sternum. She quickly sat down on the edge of the gutter to catch her breath and blow her nose. Head between her knees, she took a few deep breaths before hearing a loud *splat* against the bitumen.

“O!” exclaimed Charlotte, looking down at her feet. Her broken bleeding heart had fallen right out of her chest cavity and onto the dirty pavement. The blood had drenched the bottom half of her platform and was fast spreading up the thin stiletto heel.

“Oh no!” she cried aloud, “my new pony pumps are done for..”

Charlotte wondered what to do about the mess she’d made of her shoes. She thought about taking them to the boot maker to be cleaned but doubted they could be restored to there former stylish glory. So instead she wore them that Friday night, teamed with blood red ruby lips and her old boyfriends leather jacket and took herself out to find a new long hair lover.

Leopard shoes are the epitome of vivacious. These Charlotte Olympia Polly Cavallion calf hair pumps may even have reach some new level of uber vivaciousness. 

erikayvonnerose asked: love your blog! xo

thanks bubble x