With summer around the corner, it’s time to get swimsuit ready.
We answer two beauty questions from you asking how to cover scars on the body wearing a swimsuit in summer, and the best dry shampoos to use for brunettes – which don’t leave white streaks.
If you have a beauty challenge you would like help with, email us at bondibeauty@mail.com
Dear Bondi Beauty,
I recently had surgery, and am afraid of wearing a swimsuit as the scars can still be seen. How do you cover scars when wearing a swimsuit? Is self tan the best option?
Amber, Newcastle
Hi Amber,
Self-tan products are a great last minute solution to covering surgical scars when you are heading to the beach, provided the scar is not fresh.
Fresh scars may absorb tan differently and the scar may end up looking much worse. Fresh scars should not be exposed to the sun, so you will need a swimsuit that covers it.
What’s even more important than covering a scar with tan is to ensure you have sunscreen on as UV rays can make a scar appear worse and increase your chances of skin cancer.
Before you self-tan, make sure you exfoliate well beforehand so that the surface of the scar is as smooth as possible.
You will then need to moisturise with a fairly heavy cream to ensure there is no dryness or self tan will go very dark in that area. The best moisturiser to use is Medi Skinsaver Scar and stretch mark treatment $49.95 before and after as this helps treat scars at the same time as moisturising.
We recommend using Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs RRP $17.99 for an instant tan to the leg to hide scars. It’s water resistant and transfer resistant (so no marks on any towels or clothing). It’s weightless to wear and easy to wear all day long.
The other option is heavy duty make-up for the legs – called Leg Makeup
Leg Makeup is the answer to flawless looking legs instantly. And the benefits of wearing it means you have instant cover things like varicose veins, scars, age spots, a patchy faux tan.
For the best self-tanners which cover your whole body, click here to read about our faves right now.
Dear Bondi Beauty,
Which dry shampoos do you recommend for brunettes this summer? As so many make the hair go white and leave white streak marks or worse, white powder that looks like dandruff.
Sarah, Balmain
Hi Sarah,
Yes, many dry shampoos sure do leave horrible white powdery streaks and marks on darker hair tones. But did you know, that white residue is fairly normal for dry shampoo and as it soaks into the hair follicle, your oils will slowly reduce the white so you can no longer see it.
This is why many hair professionals recommend you should use dry shampoo the night before, by spraying into the roots of your hair, tie up locks for sleeping and in the morning you lightly blow dry the roots to activate the formulation of the dry shampoo for fresh looking hair.
Of course, if you wake up to oily hair then you need something fast acting to help manage oily hair. There are certainly a variety of different brands who have tinted dry shampoo products, so no white streaks.
The Evo Water Killer Dry Shampoo – Brunette RRP $38 is a dry shampoo which helps prevent damage to hair from washing and blow drying. It has no chalky white residue, it also hides greys and helps hide areas with thinning hair.
CoLab Dry Shampoo RRP $5.99 launched in August and is a fabulous new dry shampoo available in seven exciting new fragrances and styling ranges, from creating volume to controlling frizz, all made using a revolutionary new oil absorbing formula which leaves no white residue, so can be used on any hair colour, especially brunettes.
Seed & Sprout Dry Shampoo RRP $25 is not a spray and is suited for all coloured hair tones. Simply part your hair into sections and sprinkle onto your hands first to gauge the desired amount that works for you. Apply to the roots and massage in lightly. Best used the night before and then blow dry roots lightly in the morning to set and secure. It’s also scented with Rose Geranium essential oil – pretty.
Batiste Hint of Color Dry Shampoo – Beautiful Brunette RRP $11.99 also available in Divine Dark for tone darker than brunette, is a dry shampoo which adds a touch of colour whilst hiding greys and zapping out excess oil. It also adds body and texture to your hair. And is available in a mini size for travel.
My Fave Beauty Product of the Week:
NATIO Aromatic USB Essential Oil Diffuser RRP $49.95and NATIO Patchouli Natural Essential Oil RRP $18.95
Nothing lets you channel your inner beauty more, than a little chill out session, with the help of a beautiful diffuser flowing calming and stress relieving scents through your home.
I’ve always believed beauty comes from a place within. Meaning, you must first take the time to give yourself a little self-care on the inside, before move onto the inside.
A diffuser is the perfect addition to any beauty self-care / self-love routine.
Start by finding a quiet place at home, set up the diffuser with your favourite essential oil and spend at least thirty minutes sitting or lying comfortably with your eyes closed, focusing first on the scent, and then follow with a little imagery of where they scent is taking you.
I call this a short mini-break from reality to help kick start your self-care routine, which generally consists of a hair mask, body mask and of course a face mask.
The NEW NATIO Aromatic Diffuser helps you enjoy aromatherapy wherever you are as it’s operated by USB.
It uses non-heat ultrasonic technology to preserve the natural integrity and benefits of the essential oil for up to 6 hours, while an automatic power off function gives you total peace of mind too.
Hint: Patchouli is one of those scents you’ll either love or hate, with some finding the scent a tad sweet and other’s loving the earthy floral fragrance. I love the scent of Patchouli and find it soothing after a stressful day, where my mind is racing from too many thoughts. If you find the scent too sweet, you can add in a few drops of Lavender or Sandalwood to deepen the fragrance.
