With our Melbourne Sumer currently hitting temperatures of 41 degrees Celsius, this heat inspired me to create some new looks that keep your hair totally out of the way.
I’ve created this tutorial especially for those of you who are looking for headscarves that completely cover the hair, so it is perfect for those with hair loss and doesn’t rely on the scarf being pinned into the hair.
Each of these looks was inspired by different hats from various eras; a 1930’s turban, a 1940’s beret, a 1950’s headscarf and neckerchief, and a 1960’s pill box hat.
After a few hours in front of the mirror with my trusty long scarf, a few dress makers pins, jewellery for accenting and even some hair clips; I’ve created some truly new and unique ways to wear your scarves.
And don’t worry if you don’t have one this big. Simply drop into your local fabric store, choose a pattern you love and ask the staff to cut it to the same dimensions.
The scarf I’m using in this demonstration is a long scarf I bought when I was in a bind at the airport, having misplaced my sweater, and needing something to work as a wrap too.
Dimensions – 67cm wide x 174cm long or 26.5 inches wide x 68.5 inches long.
Here’s the perfect vintage hairstyle for Christmas – our summer holiday season!
Christmas in Australia is often during the hottest part of the year, so choosing the right hairstyle to keep you cool and chic is an integral part of putting your look together.
This is a cute 1940’s hairstyle that involves pin curling and a roll at the nape of the neck. I’d suggest this as an intermediate skill level, or one you want to try a few times before the big day. It takes about 1 1/2 hours to do, simply because the pin curls need to dry in the middle of it. So this isn’t a last minute before you leave hairstyle either.
You could choose to skip the pin curl setting and shave off a heap of time by using a curling iron for those sections if you want to.
You’ll see for my Christmas theme I’ve used tartan ribbon and a (ridiculously oversized) holly at the back, but of course you can substitute these for the ornaments of your choice. In fact I quite like the idea of adding bells, but it may drive you crazy…
If you do decide to give this one a whirl, let me know how you go and maybe even share pictures of your ‘do’ on Instagram with me!
What is the most unique spa treatment you’ve ever had? Being slathered in mud? Covered in bees wax? I think I may be able to beat that.
On my recent trip to Malaysia I had the chance to choose an indulgence from a particularly unusual menu, one I’d never seen here in Australia. At the original colonial boutique hotel, The Majestic in Malacca, they have a fabulous spa village. All the treatments are based on the Baba-Nyonya or Peranakan culture; combining both Malay and Chinese influences. The idea is that the Peranakan healing method tends to what sort of energy a person has; warm or cool, then puts them back into balance. If you’re generally a ‘cool’ energy you need warming treatments and visa versa.
I was invited into this beautiful reception area and then gently quizzed to find out if I was a ‘warm’ or ‘cool’ type. Before I could make a decision, we were given the grand tour of this gorgeous, heritage spa facility. It is stunning!
So what treatment did I end up choosing? Well not the Nutmeg (as seen above) as it turns out I’m a ‘Warm’ type and needed cooling, so I chose the intriguingly named “Egg Rolling Massage”! I had no idea what this involved but I was told it was good for circulation, bruising ( I always get them) and stomach cramps (all that food!). Before I went off to be turned into an egg roll, I was to undergo a special hair washing and combing ceremony that was traditional performed on brides prior to their wedding. This is pure bliss!
I lay there relaxed, but also highly amused, as in the ceiling was a t.v set into the plaster; so if I wanted to keep my eyes open I’d be entertained. But what I found most incredible was that they were playing film clips of Malaysian musical stars of the 1950’s and 60’s!! It was sheer heaven, like watching the Malaysian Elvis while having your head massaged. Needless to say, I was very relaxed before I went in for my massage.
After talking a short refreshment break and being adorned with fresh Jasmine ( it smelt SO good!), I was met with my unusual massage partner.
Yes, they are hard boiled eggs! The idea is that these eggs, very well boiled then shelled, are kept in a steamer to keep them warm. The massage is a progressive technique that is a combination of Balinese massage (lots of stretching), then each section of your body is rolled with these eggs.
When they first touched my skin I’d forgotten what was happening and didn’t realise they were eggs. It felt as though the therapist had a warm ball of massage oil that was slowly melting over the skin as she rolled it around. After about five minutes it dawned on me that these were the eggs. They don’t split open, it was just a sensation of the delicate spreading warmth as they moved over my skin. It is AMAZING!
I didn’t want to leave and could have easily stayed their being rolled with eggs until then sun went down. But alas, I’ll have to just come back another time and do it again. As I walked back to my room I felt so light and relaxed; and smiled as I realised that (thankfully) I smelled of fresh jasmine and not eggs!
With a little bit of preparation this holiday season, you can learn how to have beautiful skin in tropical climates quite simply.
I live in Melbourne. Melbourne is anything but tropical. It can be super cold, super hot or super wet, only on the very rare occasion do we get a peek at humidity. So you’d think I’d never have to worry about this, but my love of travel and adventure takes me all kinds of places, most frequently the humid ones.
Taking excellent care of my skin is key to looking good in these environments, and while makeup can also be more challenging when it is humid, having the right foundation makes all the difference.
“Taking excellent care of my skin is key to looking good in these environments”
Today I’m sharing with you how I prepare my own ‘foundation for perfect skin’, especially when travelling. Next time I’ll show you my secrets to makeup in humid climates and how to keep it looking fresh and fantastic!
How to have amazing skin in hot and humid places.
The Keys
CLEAN skin.
Keeping your skin clean isn’t just a simple matter of a quick wash with water each morning. A thorough cleansing is required on a regular basis to prevent clogged pores and dull, uneven skin tone.
Here is my routine.
Weekly –
Cleans face from all traces of makeup using makeup remover, skin cleanser and a face washer.
Exfoliate using a gentle, beaded gommage product.
Pore extraction – I use pore strips on the forehead, nose and chin to help remove and build up of sebum inside the pores. Leaving his there will cause the pores to stretch out and enlarge. The cleaner they are, the more minimal their appearance will become over time.
Mask- Depending on the condition of your skin, now is the time to relax for about 20 minutes with a hydrating, toning, firming or clarifying mask.
Feed – Apply a nutrient rich serum to your face and neck, using a specially designed eye gel for the delicate skin around your eye area.
Moisturise- Finish off with a light application of moisturiser to the face, neck and décolletage area.
Daily-
Morning. If you’d like to see just how I do my daily skin routine, check out this short tutorial.
Cleanse the skin using a creamy cleanser (if you have dryer or more mature skin) or a foaming cleanser (if you have younger, oily or prone to break out skin). Apply this with the tips of your fingers and massage it well to remove traces of oils that have settled on your face over night. Remove the cleanser with a warm, damp face cloth.
Toner – For some people, using a toner is optional, but given that most of us have trouble with our skin becoming oily in humid weather, a clarification from the toner will assist with keeping the shine down during the day.
Serum – Even if you have oil skin, you still need to feed it. A light application of a serum suited to your skin type will help restore its elasticity.
Eye Cream – if you’re over 20 you should be using this every day. Your general face moisturiser isn’t suitable for the delicate eye area and can lead to more pronounced lines.
Moisturiser – A lightweight, day time moisturiser should be applied over the whole face, neck and décolletage.
Sunscreen – Always, always wear high protection factor sunscreen regardless of your skin tone. Use oil free products specifically formulated for the face. If you have pale skin or like to appear paler in images, use a sunscreen that has light reflecting Titanium Dioxide. If not, seek out products without this active ingredient.
HYDRATED skin.
Hot and humid weather will quickly remove moisture from your skin as it evaporates. In these climates the amount lost can be up to triple the average of 2 litres per day. So drink up!
Make sure that you are replenishing both the water and the essential salts in your system but including isotonic drinks occasionally.
Coconut water is the most perfect natural source of vitamins and minerals that will really help you glow!
Try eating foods that have a high water content to help you keep up your hydration without getting bored. Watermelon, rockmelon, strawberries, honey dew melon; all these fruits are fantastic for a light, healthy and hydrating snack.
There is a very unattractive sight often seen on holiday makers in these climates. The red skinned sunburn, or even the dark red brown tinge that shows the sever level of sun damage these vacationers have done.
Protection your skin from sun damage is essential, not just to protect from skin cancer, but also from premature ageing.
Hats, sunglasses, long sleeved and loose fitting clothing all make a big difference when combined with adequate sunscreen protection.
Having beautiful skin in tropical climates isn’t that hard really, but it is about being consistent. Once you’ve got these basics down, you can move on to the slightly more challenging; How to wear and keep your makeup on in hot and humid climates! Coming up next!
This is one special daily outfit today. As a part of my role as a Mercedes-Benz Championship blogger for The Race Around the Web, I had the opportunity to spend the day driving around in the hot off the boat, brand new B Class! I think I may have finally found my perfect car with its seriously luxe glam factor. We went a little crazy taking outfit shots for this one because it just felt like the perfect synergy between my own style and how gorgeous this car is.
I fell in love with the sleek curves, glossy red body and plush pale leather seats; but mostly I fell in love with the pure drama of it!
If you want to be in the running to WIN this absolute stunner of a Mercedes-Benz B Class, amongst other amazing prizes, check out the Race Around the Web and the Super Kawaii Mama Championship track now! And make sure to use that “Share” button at the bottom of the post, cause I’ll bet if your best friend wins it, they’ll take you cruising in style too!
*All original images by Helen McLean for Vintage Current – Images may be reproduced with appropriate permissions. Feel free to add to Pinterest, Tumblr etc…*
