5 things every Aussie girl should know

Summer lovin’ had me a blast and in the past it also had me some sunburn, some pigmentation and some truly knotty wave-washed hair.
Now, despite what Lara Bingle made the tourists think about beach beauty, Aussie girls know there are certain things you must do to take care of yourself during summer. It’s not all gliding out of the surf, board in hand, looking all 'Demi Moore in Charlie’s Angels' – it’s about protection, and channeling summer beauty in a healthy way. Check out the 5 things every Aussie girl has learned about summer.
#1: the only safe tan is a fake tan
‘Baking’ is a word that should be removed from our vocabularies, unless it’s associated with pastries. We all know how dangerous sunbaking is, especially in Australia as the hole in the ozone layer leaves us more susceptible to sun damage and cancer-causing melanomas. Fake it ‘til you make it with a faux glow that looks like a natural bronzed tint. I love St Tropez Self Tan Express Mousse as you only need to set aside an hour to develop the perfect summer glow. It also features a 100 per cent natural tanning agent and intelligent shade technology, meaning that you’ll always end up with the perfect colour for you!
#2: the sun is the ultimate skin ager
The sun may point to summer fun, but Aussie girls know that what it really represents is wrinkles, sunspots and uneven skin tone. Luckily, we have products like Lancôme Visionnaire [LR 2412 4%] Advanced Skin Corrector. This little beauty penetrates deeply into the layers of your skin to recognise and fix skin damage whilst triggering the skin’s repair process. It also helps to produce a more resilient, even skin tone that isn’t as disposed to sun damage.
#3: beach waves are not made in the sea
It’s a common misconception that those sea-soaked waves you see on boho beachgoers are the result of taking a dip in the surf. The fact is, unless you have super strands, the ocean actually makes your hair dry and brittle, not to mention ridiculously knotty. If you do go for a swim, take your trusty Lady Jayne Tangleze with you. The plastic dual-length bristles glide through hair with ease, taking any unsightly knots with them. To get beachy waves, use a nourishing sea salt spray - they create waves that aren’t brittle. I love evo salty dog cocktail beach spray as it adds volume and texture to your hair and leaves a matte finish. For a more controlled look, try the ghd curve creative curl wand, as it features a conical barrel designed to create imperfect waves that last. (Find out how to use it right here...)
#4: being bikini-ready is everything
Contrary to popular belief, Aussie women don’t just spend their days prancing around the beach in a bikini. However, ambassadors like Elle ‘The Body’ Macpherson have taught us a thing or two about being ready to hit the sand at a moment's notice. Doctor BABOR Body Cellular Ultimate 3D Cellulite Lotion is formulated to firm your skin and improve the appearance of cellulite. The active complex reduces fat deposits and activates fat breakdown, making your skin appear smooth and bump-free. Dealing with a fuzzy bikini line? Tend to your delicate area with a wax that works. I love Veet Natural Inspirations Sugar Wax as it contains natural argan oil and 100 per cent naturally sourced ingredients.
#5: protecting your skin is not a nerdy thing to do
I'm often met with looks of disbelief when I pull out an SPF 50+ sunscreen from my beach bag. "What are you doing? It’s like wearing a T-shirt! How are you supposed to tan with that on?" they say. My reply is always short and to the point: "I’m not; all this is doing is stopping me from looking 50 by the time I’m 30!" La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Spray SPF50+ provides superior UVA and UVB protection and is ideal for sensitive and allergy-prone skin. Team it with some nourishing protection for your face. I recommend Bobbi Brown EXTRA Repair Moisturizing Balm SPF25 as it contains broad-spectrum sun protection and nourishes my skin, thanks to a mix of linoleic acid, wheat bran, glycerin and borage oil. It also works to leave skin even and firm.
What tip do you agree with the most? What else do you think every Aussie girl should know about summer?
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69 Member Comments

lovely article!
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There are so many great sunscreen formulas that are non greasy and do not cause breakouts these days that there is no excuse not to slather up! I really love the la roche posay anthelios xl shown above, it is light and non greasy, does not break me out, comes in a spray and has a very high sun protection :)
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I would love a ghd curve creative curl wand!!!
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50+ spray I need you in my life! And mouse tan help me I'm white as a ghost!!
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Sun protection wasn't talked about when I was a teenager (I'm 51). My friends and I fried our skin in the sun with baby oil. They all got tans, and I just got red and blistered.
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Oh I want some of the babor
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What a great review on some amazing products. Think I want to try the lancome visionaries moisturizer and that hair brush as my hair is always beachy / knots:( think this will help
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I agree with most of these points except my hair actually does feel good after going to the beach
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i prefer to be healthy and look after my skin properly rather than tanning without proper sun protection.
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I've definitely felt pressured as a teen not to wear Spf being the palest I was usually the only one to burn, I learnt my lesson pretty quickly
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Sun protection is the most important point. I don't want to risk my health when enjoying the sun and the beach.
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I love a fake tan! that doesnt look fake of course. atm im using Jglow! and im loving it!!! Oh and I totally agree with you! beach waves are not made by the sea! LOL! My ghd and heat protector spray help me acheive my waves & curls hehe
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I agree with all these tips, especially protecting your skin from sun damage
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I'm looking forward to trying the St Tropez Express, Lancome Visionaire and the Bobbi Brown Balm.
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Summer and I are not good friends. I stay away from tanning, fake or otherwise.
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"Contrary to popular belief, Aussie women don't just spend their days prancing around the beach in a bikini."
... if only!
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Some great options here for summer skin and hair care - I must check out the St Tropez self tan and the La Roche-Posay spray - I love their products.
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These are all great tips. Everyone should also be able to swim.
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Bobbi Brown Balm, I must put this on my wish list. It sounds great.
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Fake tans are a great beauty invention! I would love to know if the Babor Body Cellular Ultimate 3D Cellulite Lotion really works!
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Great info. Totally agree that beach waves take some time and effort to achieve.
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Protection your skin from our harsh UV rays is crucial, I wear SPF 50+ sunscreen daily. Unfortunately, I am also vitamin D deficient, so I try and get some sun on my arms and legs.
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