Perennial Swimwear: J.Crew String Bikini

∞∞∞

The string bikini is a staple of summer. Comfortable and versatile this style of swimwear will never stray from trend or fashion.

I purchase at least one J.Crew String Bikini per season. They are simple, honest and perennial. A straight-forward style that fit the same each year and continue to be available in trendy colors and patterns.

A string bikini combined with a mix-and-match approach to swimwear is a great combination to find your perfect suit. First, decide what you want to hide or flaunt and go from there. For instance, if you are trying to minimize a large bottom, purchase a dark color. If you want to draw attention to a flat chest, tie the string bikini in front rather than the back. If you want to elongate the legs or torso, adjust the ties on the sides accordingly.

There are so many ways to make this bikini work for you, just bite the bullet and try-it-on. Ugh… “The Dreaded First Swimsuit Try-On of the Year”. The best advice I have been given: Before you step foot into a dressing room with bikini-in-hand, make sure you are tan. Fake-it with a quick spray tan or at-home application. Trust me! It will make the experience less terrifying.

Dabbling in Depilatories: Veet In-Shower Hair Removal Cream

✯✯✯

VEET In-Shower Hair Removal Cream

Depilatory creams are topical solutions designed to remove unwanted hair from practically any area of the body. The #1 disadvantage of using these types of creams is the fragrant smell of rotten eggs. The odor is caused from the chemical ingredients in the creams. Most depilatories contain sulfur and  thioglycoate, when oxygen is added, the chemical reaction releases an unpleasant scent. When shopping for depilatory products, marketing gurus promote their products as: “unscented,” “smells like roses,” “lemon-scented.” LIES! I have tried many different brands and have yet to find one that does not leave a trace of odor. Yes, they have done a great job to cover-up the scent, but it is still invariably apparent.

Advantages to using depilatory creams are… they work. A lotion that reveals smooth, hairless legs for days is the lazy-girl’s best (and cheaper) alternative to shaving.

My current favorite depilatory cream is Veet Suprem’Essence In-Shower Hair Removal Cream. The water-resistent formula lets you step into the shower while it works it’s magic and 3-5 minutes later, simply wash off. Veet products contain essential oils from plants and flowers to leave skin soft and mask the unpleasant odor. The scent is still evident but endurable. Also, using a depilatory in a warm shower will make results last longer. Hairs will be softer and more readily removed. Results can last three to five days depending on your hair-growth rate.

I use these creams in the colder months of the year for a couple reasons. After shaving, the “day-after stubble” seems to pop-up quicker when cold and during the warmer months, self-tanning products react strangely with these creams.

In conclusion, depilatories/hair removal creams have come a long way. If you want smooth skin for 3-5 days and can suffer the smell – dabble in depilatories.

Tried & Tested: Xen-Tan Dark Lotion

Xen-Tan Dark Lotion

✯✯✯

When purchasing a Self-Tanning Product I have 3 MUST HAVES:

1. NO SMELL

2. NO ORANGE TINT

3.  MUST FADE GRACEFULLY

Other brands tried: St.Tropez/KateSomerville/Clarins/Lancome/ModelCo/Fusion Beauty/Sevin Nyne/Neutrogena/Loreal/Jergens… 

Xen-Tan is the answer to my prayers. 

The process, although a little daunting, totally worth it! Plaster all over body – wait for 3 hours – wash off. Unlike most self-tanners you don’t have to be “as” precise with the application. The lotion is tinted which makes application tractable and the best part is the fragrance – a bouquet of almonds and vanilla!

After 3 hours… 

The first thing I noticed was the color… a perfect olive/brown-based tan.The second thing I noticed was that my skin felt extremely hydrated.  The third thing I noticed was that the tan was perfectly even – no streaks! 

So I threw on my new Current/Elliott cutoffs and walked out the door. (No color deposits on clothes)

The reason I will continue to purchase:  a couple of days later – still a nice subtle glow and Xen-Tan seemed to just fade away like magic…

Ahhhh-Mazing!