Going to the beach wearing full hair and makeup is not cool unless you are Pamela Anderson. The beach is a place where you want to downplay your makeup, use waterproof & SPF formulas and choose natural colors. Overuse of makeup will only make you look ridiculous and have tourists talking about how much time it must have taken you to get ready to put your swimsuit on. That said, most women “feel” and look better with some minimal beauty products. Whatever it takes for you to strut that swimsuit in the best possible way, here are our suggestions:

How to achieve Kate Hudson’s beachy look:

HAIR
*Use Moisture Enriched Products in the shower. Most people have some natural wave to their hair; it is ideal to use a shampoo designed to enhance curl. We use Big Sexy’s Curl Defining Shampoo. Use a deep conditioner and leave it on your hair for at least 15 minutes.
*Scrunch & Twist your hair as it is air-drying. Use a sea salt spray like, Big Sexy’s Soy Renewal Beach Spray to activate curl; add moisture with argan oil and create an undone texture. Part your hair in the direction that you would like your hair to flow while it is wet and squeeze with cotton t-shirt to prevent frizz. Twirl your finger into your hair creating a twist, twisting away from the face. If you have dry ends use a wax stick on your fingers as you twist small sections of your hair. We like bedhead’s Wax Stick; the wax helps to separate, smooth and add shine. Avoid finishing with hairspray as you want the hair to feel very soft and not look too finished.
*Tip your head over and shake your head. Use your hands to fluff up the roots to create more volume if you desire, do this while your head is upside down.
*If you need more wave use a curling wand or wrap your hair around a small barrel curling iron. Remember less is more for this look! Finish with Big Sexy’s Weather Proof Spray to lock out humidity & promise to keep your hairstyle intact.

MAKEUP
*Choose natural colors that reflect light. You are banned from using your favorite wine lipstick. Think of nature to create a natural effect: Sandy beige, peachy beachy coral, sunkissed bronze, almost nude. Try to think of how the color makes you feel before you pick it for the beach. Does it look natural or disco?
*Bronzed; Fake it before you make it. Use a bronzer to give your face & upper body an instant tanned effect. We recommend Maddpretty Bangin Bronzer in California tan.
*Remove unsightly tan lines with your bronzer. Tan lines can be diminished with a stroke of a brush by using bronzer and a brush on the area of the skin that appears lighter. If your lines were from a swimsuit with small/thin straps then use a small eyeshadow brush inside the lines. If you were wearing a scoop neck and you were left with a nice tan but in the shape of a circle just use the bronzer with a large powder brush starting at the place where the tan ends.
*A soft peachy pink for your cheeks is the perfect color for most every skin tone. Blush in a soft color will make you appear healthier. Using a blush that has some shimmer would help give you a soft sunkissed glow. We recommend Maddpretty Beautiful Blush in Popularity Contest (sunkissed frost) or Facebook Friend (pinky coral).
*Be prepared to dive in; Use waterproof eyeshadow & mascara. Maddpretty Waterproof Creme Shadow in Peachy or Golden.
*Use a foundation that contains an SPF & apply a higher SPF on top. We recommend Maddpretty Magic Stixx SPF 18 because they can be easily layered with a stronger sunscreen without disrupting your beautiful flawless skin.
*Remember that sunscreen is only effective for 2 hrs so apply it liberally & frequently.
* Finish with a golden gloss. Maddpretty gloss in Champagne will add the perfect amount of pop.

Packing Rule #1 For attire, versatility is boss. If you can’t wear it on more than one occasion, don’t bring it.
Packing Rule #2 No matter the reason for your trip, it’s always a good idea to lay out your outfits before you start to fill your suitcase and decide what you’ll need & what you’ll wear with what. Remember the versatility rule, choose items you can wear with variety.
Packing Rule #3 Fold your clothes the retail way (or some people prefer to roll them)- this makes everything the same size so you get neat stacks.
Packing Rule #4 Avoid bulky clothing or items that take up a lot of room.
Packing Rule #5 Get yourself a double sided, zippered cosmetic travel bag that meets your needs. Always have it stocked with travel sizes of your facial routine, a small assortment of Q-tips, cotton balls, bobby pins, lip balm, etc. Restock when you’re unpacking and you’ll never have to worry about it.
Packing Rule #6 Take some time to check that all caps, lids, flip-tops are all securely closed, tightened or snapped shut. If it doesn’t snap or close tightly, you may have a mess to deal with.
Packing Rule #7 Use the pockets of your suitcase for things which don’t lie flat: swimsuits, crushable hats, underwear, bras, hairbrush, footwear and socks.
Packing Rule #8 Pack shoes last, sole up & wear your biggest shoes on the plane – you’ll save space in your luggage.
Packing Rule #9 Making the most of your carry-on. No one plans to lose their luggage but it can and does happen. Your carry-on is for the stuff you need until your luggage arrives: your swimsuit, electronic devices (cords & chargers too), any reading material or paperwork you may need for your trip, prescription medication, and if you wear contact lenses, keep your glasses & lens case in your carry-on.
Packing Rule #10 If you’re going to Europe or other spots abroad, remember you may need an electrical adapter.

Dave and I have been to a lot of the usual hot weather destinations that Canadians usually travel to. Zanzibar, which lies just off the coast of Tanzania, is a popular destination for Europeans, not so much for those of us from North America (it’s a long way to go!).

Hitting the beach was an interesting experience. I always love to see what people are wearing and often play the “name that swimsuit brand” game with myself. I instantly found myself to be overdressed in my tankini. There were a few women wearing one pieces but 95% of the women were wearing 2 pieces, regardless of size or age. I loved it! No one seemed concerned about body image or trying to cover up much of anything (sometimes you wished!). Even the men were liberated enough to wear brief briefs.

Wishing I had a two piece to wear (after all no one knew me there!) the popular saying “when in Rome….” came to mind. And the other lesson learned is to just enjoy yourself, don’t be so hung up on what I think other people think I should wear. Just revel in the fact that you can feel the warmth of the sun, the sand between your toes and your only worry is what’s for lunch!

Lucky us. We had to go to Mexico for the Swimco photoshoot! Our Swimco entourage included models, a stylist, a videographer, a photographer and his lovely assistant/wife! We stayed in the beautiful beachside home of Steve (my brother and business partner) and his wife Nicole.

Casa Fuego, de Saladita, provided the perfect backdrop for all the incredible swimwear and vacation accessories we photographed for our upcoming marketing projects. Thanks to everyone on the team for making this such a successful experience. And thanks to our suppliers for lending us their samples so that we can now bring their brand stories to life in our stores.

Once the official events were over guests were transported away to warmer climates enjoying the tropical vibes provided by the evening D.J., Mad Dog McCaffrey. The in-store video screens were filled with images of beach hammocks swinging in the tropical breeze and the surf gently rolling in. You could all but smell the fresh tropical breeze and feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. Such is the new design for Swimco stores. We bring the beach to the store and provide you with spa-like change rooms in which to shed your concerns and step into your new swimsuit to wear on your upcoming vacation or pool experience.

I hope you can stop by and check out our newest location. It’s like a boardwalk through to the beach of your dreams.

Calling all budding swimwear designers! Swimco is thrilled to once again partner with Roxy to bring back the “Design a Bikini Contest”. We were so impressed with the response from last year, and had so much fun going through the design submissions. The designs were unique, creative, and inspiring…there is a lot of talent out there! The “not so fun” part was choosing just one winner. That is why, this year, we have decided to leave that up to YOU! Roxy and Swimco will choose the top 5 designs, and then it is up to our Facebook Fans to vote on the winner. The winning submission will receive one Roxy bikini every month for a year! So what are you waiting for…click here to get started. And don’t forget to spread the word to any budding designers you might know!

Please click here to view the article.

I traveled with Kitty, one of Swimco’s Buyers, and Sharon, Seafolly’s Canadian Distributor. We felt fortunate to once again be included in this corporate launch. Besides one other retailer from the UK, we were the only retailer amongst the Seafolly staff, reps and distributors, getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the new line.

Seafolly’s 2013 collection, which will be available to our customers this Fall, is gorgeous and extensive. The swimsuits are superbly coordinated with cover-ups and beach accessories for an overall stunning visual. The prints vary from beautiful florals, to dots and stripes. As usual, Seafolly’s Designer Genelle Walkom has done an outstanding job of creating fresh looks while updating Seafolly’s best-sellers, for a new twist on your favourite Seafolly styles. Watch for lots of brights, or “phloros” as they call them down unda’.

Our trip also included lots of store visits to check out the selection of “Ozzy Cozzies”, a tour of the Sydney Aquarium and the Picasso exhibit at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. After a busy week, I’m ready to head home and start planning Swimco’s swimwear assortment for “next year”. Can’t wait to get your reaction.

Ps. Click here to check out more photos from our Australian adventure, on Swimco’s facebook page.

As the trip approached, I began receiving emails about our upcoming SURF camp with Swell Women Adventure Retreats.  “Pardon me?”, I stuttered. “This is not what I signed up for. I don’t want to surf! Been there, done that, don’t want to do it again!”

I was assured there’d be other activities, including SUP (Stand Up Paddling), snorkeling, boot camps, hiking, and yoga. Those all sounded great, but the threat of having to surf (in the waves!) still loomed.

In the opening circle on our first day of camp, we were asked to set an intention for the week. Mine was to be in the moment and simply enjoy whatever we were doing. To laugh even when challenged, and to not cry too loudly while on my board.

Having just completed our week with the wonderful and talented group from Swell Women, I am proud to report that although I thoroughly enjoyed the sunset yoga, hiking, and SUP’ing, the stand-out experience for me was catching wave after wave at Guardrails surf break.

Our surf instructors Eduardo and Dustin were so patient and encouraging. They taught us how to watch for the right wave, and then after a gentle (or sometimes not so gentle!) push into the wave, to “stand up!!!” as the wave carried us toward shore. Our boards were big, but our grins were even bigger.

We were always on the go, stopping occasionally to enjoy delicious creations by Chef Phil. With all of the details planned out meticulously for us, including transportation and equipment, we could make the most of our “down time” at the beach or at the pool of the Royal Lahaina in Ka’anapali.

I have made some amazing friends, both with the other participants and with Me Shell, Mike, Summer, and Eduardo from Swell Women. I hope our paths cross again. Perhaps they will brave the Canadian surf conditions to join us at our place in Tofino, on the wild West Coast of British Columbia. I sure hope they’re not allergic to neoprene!

I’m still feeling the bliss from a week of extreme exercise and laughter, and the rush from having accomplished something scary. After this experience, I may just have to step out of my comfort zone more often…

Click here to watch our Swell Women surf instructor Dustin Tester on YouTube. Dustin is one of few women to successfully surf the gigantic Jaws surf break. Now that’s truly scary!

Maui is one of my favorite vacation destinations, especially the Ka’anapali area. I’ve spent quite a bit of time on this beautiful beach, as it was the locale of Swimco’s photoshoots for many years. We would arrive with our photographer, stylist, models, Swimco staff, and of course, my family. My two boys must have thought that every family traveled with such an entourage. They especially enjoyed the company of the beautiful models, who were quite a few years older than them!

As I survey the swimsuit styles around me, I see a bit of everything. For the guys, I see boardshorts in all lengths and colours. Particularly noticeable are a few very fit (thankfully) young gents in their snug “James Bond” style swim trunks that leave little to the imagination. The ladies are sporting everything from the eensy weensy string bikini to the full-coverage swim dress. And of course my personal favourite style, the tankini.

As I’ve expounded before, many of us stress about donning a swimsuit before we leave for vacation, only to realize upon arrival that there’s no need to worry. We’re all in the same boat, stripped down in order to soak up some much-needed sun or splash around in the tropical oceans and pools. We’re all too busy enjoying our Paradise to notice anyone else’s “wobbly bits”, so on your next vacation I challenge you to pull on your favourite swimsuit and salute the sun without a care in the world.

Aloha!