Blinging at the beach

Elevate your beach look with these few simple steps! Sandy feet at salty kisses should be the highlight of every summer. Luckily for me living in Southern California this is an all year round affair. Coming from the cooler climate in England, beach life was a complete culture shock, and it took me a second to understand how plus size me, was going to rock it out at the beach alongside the 'cooool duuuudes' and 'surfer chicks' Turns out (as always!) You just have to do you!

At the best of times the beach can be harrowing for women who are not comfortable in their bodies. In SoCal that is taken to a different extreme! Not because the beach is full of judgement or snide looks, but because there are not many bodies like mine out there strutting about on the sand. As body confident as I am there are some things things about me that just make me stand out from a crowd that I cant do anything about (nor would I want to)

In a city of sun born babies, I am more Bay Botch than Bay Watch, with my fair, pale and almost translucent skin of which there is a massive surface area that glows like unicorn highlighter on a 14yr olds YouTube makeup tutorial expert! Give me more than 20 mins in the sun and I begin to resemble burned bacon. My mass mop of red hair only has to be within 30 miles of sea air before it frizz bombs and the cute beach curl I left the house with turns into sticky salty dreadlocks! - So, on the face of it there is a great deal to keep my negative self chat occupied with, and I get why people that have body issues recoil and squirm at the idea of a day at the beach.

It is no secret to you, that I feel the best when I look my best, and so on a day to day basis this can look like wearing a pair of fab shoes, a strong lip or a dress that makes me feel a million dollars. A beach look though is kind of limiting, I mean a swimsuit isn't and outfit its a single garment! And you can trust me when I say a strong contour and full makeup will not stay in place and slips like a melting wax death mask onto your neck and chest very quickly! There are some tricks though........

1. Its so bloody bright at the beach you are never going to take of your sunglasses! so minimal makeup or none at all is perfectly concealed by I giant pair of shades. Pop on a waterproof long last lip stain and nobody is any the wiser. As a side note, I am totally invested in a huge pair of sunglasses. I believe the bigger they are the more expensive the look. If its good enough for Jakie O its good enough for me!

2. Frizz bomb hair is what it is. Even the slim trim Bay Watch machines have beach hair, its part of the cool easy follow your bliss look! Just let it be! take it down and embrace it. Let it look as free as your soul should be by the relaxing by the crashing waves and golden sand!

3.Sun block up like a new born baby! I personally let my freak flag shine with the crazy pale skin, its part of who I am and a tan with my hair color makes me look like a giant butterscotch hard candy or an Umpa Lumpa! But if you want to feel a little less day-glow, then crack on some fake tan, and be done with it! An oversized floppy hat with a huge brim is also fantastic protection disguised as a chic fashion statement.

4. A sheer coverup. For me not so much about the cover up but about not getting burnt to a crisp with a little sun protection. A good coverup also gives you a base to style, like a little added layer of personality. This sheer dress (which was designed as a dress not a coverup, but is super versatile is my go to !) I despise getting changed at the beach in the grubby public bathrooms, so I travel to and from the beach (occasionally stopping off for lunch margaritas!) In it with my swimsuit underneath as under-garment coverage.

5. Accessories! Maybe this is the 'Extra' in me, but I seriously don't understand why people don't wear more bling at the beach. For me functionality has nothing to do with it, because I only go in the water up to my knees, waist at best. Even if I was swimming or doing whatever it is the people that are not terrified of drowning, jelly fish or splashing water do, what can you not do so in some cheap and cheerful costume jewelry? (or take it off and pop it in the beach bag if you are going to get down and dirty!)

6. This isn't a tip, this is just real life. Whatever your shape or size you have a right to go to the beach! You are allowed to have fun. You have nothing to be afraid or ashamed of. The sooner you embrace and accept that the better.

I honestly believe that good people see the good in others. If someone judges you for how you look and living your best beach life, then that's on them not you. The moment we step outside of our heads and do the things that make us feel free and our soul sing that's when we look our best.

its not honestly about what you wear its how you wear it! Get it out, let it all hang out and have the best time.

The more of an issue you make it the more of an issue to everyone else it becomes. Jump in and do you! If you have a beach, and you have a body, then you are beach body ready!