geekTropical illumination
February 29th 2008 05:31
When I came back from my tropical getaway to Palm Cove in far north Queensland a couple of weeks ago, I felt gorgeously relaxed. I learned a few things about looking good on this trip, or rather the age-old truths were reinforced.
For starters, inner glow = outer glow. When you feel good, you look good. When you are positive, relaxed, open, flexible, calm...all these qualities travel to the surface and make you shine.
That said, there's always room for a woman to help herself even further along the looking good road. I'd like to list the items you need to bring illumination to you on a tropical holiday. I found it troublesome to pack lightly for this 5-day trip (see "Laden with Luggage..." post) so I am now going to state: take whatever you want but do not leave these essential items behind:
1) A natural, chemical-free sunscreen such as Invisible Zinc. It gave my skin protection without soaking my skin in chemicals that normal sunscreens have and that are potentially cancer causing themselves. It's a crazy world we live in when such chemicals are allowed in products that are meant to defend against cancer. So, in my mind, be careful of overusing chemical sunscreens and don't be shy about a little sun exposure.
If you're careful and don't burn, the light summer glow of colour will make your skin look smooth and feel soft and supple. Contrary to all the ghastly skin cancer ads and warnings in Australia, I think the skin likes a bit of sun. I think your emotional well being needs it too. The sun, for me, recharges me; I can feel my cells renewing within me!
2) Moisturiser. Your body and face will need it after sun and pool exposure. Your skin gets thirsty from soaking in chlorine, so every night after a day of swimming in the resort pool, I slathered on the moisturiser.
3) A sarong! Yes it has manifold purposes: you can tuck the body away beneath its folds either as a long skirt or even as dress wrap or you can wrap across your shoulders to protect you from a very hot sun. They're great for lazing about in or walking to the shops to get your ice-cream. I think they're very feminine and work well on fuller figures.
4) The right bikini/swimsuit for your body. For gorgeous appeal on the resort or the beach is a bikini or swimming costume suited to your body. If you not sure what looks good on you, ask a friend that you can trust to go swimsuit shopping with you. Wearing a bikini/swimsuit is not just about being slim. I've seen full-sized women look great in cosis. In fact, I think they even look sexier because their bust and hips are full and powerful, and really make you admire the strong female form.
5) Hat and sunnies. A hat that shows off your personality is always great. Proper sunnies to fight glare, otherwise you'll have a line between the brow that not even Botox will help you with
Slight exaggeration I know but saving a fellow woman friend from deep brow lines needs such forceful expression.
Now I don't want to de-motivate anyone from their tropical illumination efforts, but it must be said that I did manage an inner glow at Palm Cove but I certainly didn't look better than the surroundings! Check out the background in this photo and you'll know what I mean.
For starters, inner glow = outer glow. When you feel good, you look good. When you are positive, relaxed, open, flexible, calm...all these qualities travel to the surface and make you shine.
That said, there's always room for a woman to help herself even further along the looking good road. I'd like to list the items you need to bring illumination to you on a tropical holiday. I found it troublesome to pack lightly for this 5-day trip (see "Laden with Luggage..." post) so I am now going to state: take whatever you want but do not leave these essential items behind:
1) A natural, chemical-free sunscreen such as Invisible Zinc. It gave my skin protection without soaking my skin in chemicals that normal sunscreens have and that are potentially cancer causing themselves. It's a crazy world we live in when such chemicals are allowed in products that are meant to defend against cancer. So, in my mind, be careful of overusing chemical sunscreens and don't be shy about a little sun exposure.
If you're careful and don't burn, the light summer glow of colour will make your skin look smooth and feel soft and supple. Contrary to all the ghastly skin cancer ads and warnings in Australia, I think the skin likes a bit of sun. I think your emotional well being needs it too. The sun, for me, recharges me; I can feel my cells renewing within me!
2) Moisturiser. Your body and face will need it after sun and pool exposure. Your skin gets thirsty from soaking in chlorine, so every night after a day of swimming in the resort pool, I slathered on the moisturiser.
3) A sarong! Yes it has manifold purposes: you can tuck the body away beneath its folds either as a long skirt or even as dress wrap or you can wrap across your shoulders to protect you from a very hot sun. They're great for lazing about in or walking to the shops to get your ice-cream. I think they're very feminine and work well on fuller figures.
4) The right bikini/swimsuit for your body. For gorgeous appeal on the resort or the beach is a bikini or swimming costume suited to your body. If you not sure what looks good on you, ask a friend that you can trust to go swimsuit shopping with you. Wearing a bikini/swimsuit is not just about being slim. I've seen full-sized women look great in cosis. In fact, I think they even look sexier because their bust and hips are full and powerful, and really make you admire the strong female form.
5) Hat and sunnies. A hat that shows off your personality is always great. Proper sunnies to fight glare, otherwise you'll have a line between the brow that not even Botox will help you with
Slight exaggeration I know but saving a fellow woman friend from deep brow lines needs such forceful expression.Now I don't want to de-motivate anyone from their tropical illumination efforts, but it must be said that I did manage an inner glow at Palm Cove but I certainly didn't look better than the surroundings! Check out the background in this photo and you'll know what I mean.
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Comment by Sven Topp
Parent Debate
Deafblind Dad
We lived in Tonga for a year. It was really interesting to see the difference between their culture and ours. They were really relaxed and laid back (perhaps it had something to do with the kava?).
My Mum's cousin visited us for a wek. She came from Boston.
We went out for the day on a boat to one of the smaller islands. Next day.... We had a lobster she was so badly burnt.
Not a pretty sight
Of course in Tonga you can get burnt when its cloudy.
Comment by Lidia