Why Do I Always Go for Plain Black?

Plain black is a versatile colour that makes you look good and lets you try out different styles. That’s why I, like many other women, always go for plain black. More often than not, black is a part of my daily ensemble – irrespective of whether I’m going to work, a party, a romantic dinner or even a casual outing.

Black also gives a sophisticated look that most other colours fail to. This is a big plus, as this aspect lets you confidently wear black to any official or formal event. Another key reason why so many women go for plain black is because it looks stylish – especially as a well-made dress. I have realized that black rarely lets you down. It goes well with everything – well, almost.

One of my favourite garments in my cupboard is the little black dress (LBD). The colour lets you spice it up or play it down any way you want to. If you want to achieve the former, you can wear bright or solid coloured – like purple or orange – shoes and carry a bag of the same colour. They will stand out beautifully against the black.

To beat the cold and still look stunning, you can team the little black dress with a vibrant jacket and bracelets. If you want to look demure and elegant, you can go for a recreation of Audrey Hepburn’s classic look in Breakfast at Tiffany’s with layers of pearls, a pair of large sun-glasses (during daytime) and stilettos. You can wear this look when you go for a formal party or dinner.

At Bikini Island we try to cater for people who are after black swimwear or bikinis, check out the swimwear range online or check out in one of swimwear stores

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How to Care for Swimwear

Good quality swimwear is expensive and knowing how to take care of it is essential to keep it in top condition. Whether you wear your swimsuit regularly or occasionally, exposure to chemicals in a pool, lotions, sun and sand can harm the fabric. After every use, the swimwear needs to be washed and dried.

All swimsuits contain Lycra or spandex for elasticity. Chlorine in pools, body oils and perspiration can harm the elasticity of your swimsuit and cause yellowing of the fabric. So prompt cleaning after every use is necessary. Use cool tap water to rinse your swimwear. Ideally you should soak it for about half an hour. This will more effectively get rid of the dirt, sand and chemicals that can harm the fabric.

After rinsing, you need to wash the swimsuit to remove all the salts and chemicals. For washing, it is best to use liquid detergent than powers as the later may not dissolve and rinse away completely. Avoid using bleach. Just turn your swimsuit inside out, keep it in detergent solution for a few minutes and rinse gently but thoroughly.

You need to hand wash your swimwear as machine wash, even in a mesh bag, is too harsh for it. Never wring your swimsuit, just squeeze out the water. Dry the suit in shade. UV rays can breakdown the fibre in your suit and cause it to fade. Alternating swimsuits and taking a shower after use can also help make your suit last longer.

We hope you have found this information helpful, please send in any topics or questions to us at Bikini Island Online and we will try to assist and blog about them. For all your swimwear needs check out our bikinis online at Bikini Island.

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Australian Open of Surfing at Manly Beach

Drawing inspiration from the US Open of Surfing, Sydney will host the first Australian Open of Surfing from February 11 to February 19 at Manly Beach. Hoping to match the grandeur of the annual US event, this competition will attract some of the best skaters and surfers worldwide. Estimated to attract visitors upwards of 100,000, the youth festival will double up as a qualifying event for the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour and the Skateboarding World Cup.

The surfing events will be held everyday with tough competitors like Taj Burrow, Jordy Smith, Adrian Buchan, Sally Fitzgibbons, Joel Parkinson and Mark Occhilupo. The prize money worth $226,000 will be divided among different categories for men, women, junior men and junior women.

The skating events will flag off on February 16 and the winners will share prize money of $50,000. The skate events will feature the likes of Curren Caples, Renton Millar, Bob Burnquist and Bucky Lasek.

Musicians will take over the festivities at the event on the last weekend. Special performances by Bluejuice, Stonefield, DJ Grant Smillie, Sneaky Sound System, Children Collide and the Living End will be the spotlight on February 17 and February 18.

All events featured at the Australian Open of Surfing in Sydney are free of cost. If you want to join in with the festivities looking stunning, Bikini Island’s online swimwear store is the place to visit. With a variety of swimwear options and accessories, you can rock a chic and stylish look at the Australian Open of Surfing.

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Beach Etiquette Tips

While some people enjoy loud beach parties, others like to sunbathe quietly, read a book or sip on cocktails. By keeping a few pointers in mind, not only can you enjoy a great day at the beach, but also make it pleasant for others around you.

Despite multiple outdoor smoking bans, many continue to light up cigarettes at the beach. The smoke is very distracting and unhealthy for those sitting upwind from you. If you are travelling in large groups, find a spot that is at a good distance from other beach-goers to avoid disturbing them. You should also keep loud music to a minimum as not everybody is looking for a beach party. If your group prefers beach sports, play at a respectable distance from other beach users to avoid hitting them with Frisbees or volleyballs. Monitor your group’s noise levels at all times to avoid irking those around you.

If you are bringing along active children who tend to get loud, supervise them at all times. You don’t want them getting lost at the beach or disturbing someone else’s leisure time. Read up on the local laws of the beach before you drive down. It is important to know the legalities on taking pets to the beach or sunbathing in the nude.

Littering is another major problem that often goes unnoticed and pollutes the ocean. Be mindful of your things and avoid leaving anything behind. Ensure that you have packed all your stuff, including used glasses and bottles.

We hope you find this blog post interesting and relevant from Bikini Island Swimwear, we aim to provide helpful information for your free time in your bikinis, on holidays. If you have any suggestions for our blogs posts please let us know, this can be about bikinis, swimwear designs, summer, destinations, health etc. Look forward to hearing from you.

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Match Your Swimwear with Your Skin Colour

If you go out of your way to look perfect at the beach, how about also choosing your swimwear in line with your skin colour? The right hues can flatter your skin tone, and do full justice to your face and body. At our online bikinis store, you will find swimwear in a number of different colours and patterns. But which colours should you go for? Read on to find out.

If you have ivory or pale skin, avoid orange, gold, pastels and beige swimwear as much as possible. They can make you look pasty and dull. Opt for blacks and whites that complement your skin tone and make you look radiant. For the hot women with dark brown or medium brown skin, bold colours such as ruby reds and emerald greens in your bikini work well. Turquoise and purple are other options, while it is best to avoid pastels and earthy tones.

Chocolate brown, beige and gold go well with light brown or bronzed skin, and auburn hair. Different shades of blue, on the other hand, are not very flattering. If you are a blonde with a pinkish skin tone and light eyes, silver, baby-blue, and sorbet make you stand out. Orange and black swimwear can spoil your overall look.

For freckled beauties with creamier skin tones and red hair, darker colours don’t go well. Cinnamon browns, mocha, lime greens and apple greens make you look like a beach goddess. Explore different swimwear options and make informed choices to strut confidently at your next beach trip !

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Safety Tips for Surf Swimmers

Some of the most favourite activities for beach lovers include swimming, kayaking, rafting and surfing. However, there is a difference between swimming in a protected pool and the vast ocean.

Lateral currents in the ocean run parallel to the shore and can be gentle as well as strong. Although they are not much of a threat to strong swimmers, weaker swimmers could be dragged into rip currents. Known to be one of the major causes of beach accidents, rip currents are strong currents of water rushing back to the sea.

When significant amount of water has accumulated near the shoreline, it breaks out into strong waves. They are known to be very powerful and can pull even the strongest swimmers into the dangerous deep waters.

If you are caught in a rip current, the first thing you should do is relax. Swim towards the coast at an angle until you are completely free from the current.

Before entering the water to swim or surf, check the surf conditions with the lifeguard. It is important to strictly follow all instructions given. It is also a good idea to adopt a buddy system and swim in a group. If you are swimming in colder weather condition, it is important to remember that your swimming abilities are greatly compromised in cold waters.

Judge your swimming abilities based on the skills you possess without the additional help of floatation devices. If you are not sure how deep the water is, avoid diving. It is an absolute no-no to swim after consuming alcohol as your judgement is impaired. Swimmers tend to tire and dehydrate faster when intoxicated.

We hope the information provided by Bikini Island is helpful, so next time you are in the surf in our swimwear, it is safe and enjoyable experience.

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Should You Wear Makeup to the Beach?

Wearing makeup at the beach is not always advisable as it is a hot and humid atmosphere. Any makeup your wear at the beach will most likely fade or smudge. Beaches are very casual and it is best to go with minimal makeup, if you cannot do without it.

Before applying any kind of makeup on your body, it is important to ensure that your skin is protected. Apply a generous coat of sunscreen over exposed areas of skin. Allow the sunscreen at least twenty minutes to be soaked in by your skin. This ensures complete sun protection and prevents the makeup from smearing. If you need to reapply sunscreen later in the day, you can touch up with powder sun block.

Beaches are known to be humid and any greasy or creamy makeup is sure to smudge instantly. Avoid applying foundation or concealer as it will only make your face appear sticky. If you cannot do without them, mix a small quantity of foundation with the sunscreen before you first apply it. Covering blemishes can also be done effectively for a beach look by lightly applying a concealer with a Q-tip or a brush.

If you prefer to apply bronzers, choose shades that enhance the color of your skin without adding any shimmer. Choose neutral flash tones and lightly dust the bronzer around your cheeks, forehead, chin, temples and eyelids. You could also add a bit of light pink blush to finish up. Beautify your eyes with waterproof mascara and matte lipstick to complete the beach makeup look.

We hope you find this blog post interesting and relevant from Bikini Island Swimwear, we aim to provide helpful information for your free time in your bikinis, on holidays. If you have any suggestions for our blogs posts please let us know, this can be about bikinis, swimwear designs, summer, destinations, health etc. Look forward to hearing from you.

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Different Types of Shells You are Likely to Find at the Beach

Collecting seashells on the beach is considered to be a fun activity whether you are a kid or a grown up. By understanding the origins of seashells and learning to differentiate, you can appreciate the beauty of seashells even better. The types of seashells number in hundreds and generally serve as the shells for different species of marine molluscs. When these molluscs die, the empty shells are washed up to the shores.

Seashells are classified by shape, size, color and surface traits. One of the most common types of seashells found on the shores of sandy beaches is the California Cone. You can easily identify this type of seashell with its distinctive yellowish-brown body and low spire. The Sand Dollar is another common seashell found in beaches all over the world. The mollusc living in this seashell is known by the same name i.e. sand dollar. These seashells are flat, round and appeared bleached.

The conch is a widely popular seashell among collectors. Conches come in a variety of sizes, shapes and color and are distinctly known for its spiral design and its unique sound. Conches are further divided into different varieties like the Pink Conch, Hawking Conch, Florida Fighting Conch and the Florida Horse Conch. They are popular musical instruments in many parts of the world.

Cockles are probably the most common seashells found in large numbers on any beach in the world. Known for its appearance, cockles are easiest to identify. Considered to be a seafood delicacy, cockles are classified into over two hundred subclasses.

We hope you found this post provided by Bikini Island interesting and relevant, we aim to make your holidays or time in our swimwear more enjoyable. If you have any suggestions for posts about swimwear, the beach, designs of bikinis, summer or anything else we would love to hear it.

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Swimwear Shopping Tips for Plus Sized Women

Plus sized women needn’t feel stressed out when shopping for swimwear. There are a ton of options to choose from; these hide flaws and enhance good body features. First things first, you should know your bust, hip and waist measurements (this is especially true if you will be shopping online). You should also know your body to buy swimwear that flatter your curves and hide the more unsightly flabby areas.

Women with large busts can flaunt their femininity with a halter style that provides the right support or a swimsuit with a built-in bra for a shapely look. Avoid squeezing into a smaller sized swimsuit as this will make you bulge out and draw undue attention to the problem areas.

If you are a little concerned about how your thighs or hips will look, draw attention away from them with high-cut leg bottoms and a tankini top. Skirted swimsuits can also downplay your thighs and hide your more-than-ample hips. Another area of trouble is the tummy – a belly bulge is often a source of discomfort for plus sized women on the beach. But there are some ways in which you can handle this bulge effectively! A longer tankini top meeting your suit bottom, and swimsuits with comfortably boning and tummy panels can create a slimming effect.

Opt for dark colours as opposed to whites, light pastels and neon hues. As far as designs go, diagonal, vertical and chevron patterns work best. Also opt for prints and cut outs that are strategically placed to keep the attention on the right areas – an intricate neckline, for instance, will keep the focus away from your middle. Importantly, regardless of which swimsuit style you choose, you should feel comfortable and confident in it at the beach.

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Best Beach Bars in the World

Some of the most exciting activities on the beach include hitting the waves, playing water sports or kicking back in a bikini with a cocktail at the beach bar. Here are some of the best places in the world to enjoy a cold one at the beach.

Zplage in Cannes is one of the premier sites to enjoy pink champagne on the beach amidst the blue Mediterranean waters. This bar in the French Riviera is perfect for people watching too, checking out the latest and greatest swimwear and bodies!

Hawaii is a major landmark for beach destinations and Kauai is home to the perfect beach bar. The Makana Terrace offers stunning views of the Pacific and is lined with an infinity pool to make your time in Kauai more exciting. Enjoy Makana’s signature mai tais as you experience stunning sunsets while watching pro surfers master the waves.

Mexico is a veritable party destination and Freddy’s Tequila and Ceviche Bar is one of its finest beach bars. Offering over 120 selections of mescals and tequilas, Freddy’s is an iconic destination in the Mayan Riviera.

The Fire Pit in Uruguay is one of the most unique beach bars in the world. Every morning, fisherman load off at nearby docks and enjoy a grand barbeque tradition that is perfect for an evening with local wines.

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are included among the best beach destinations, lined with exotic backdrops and funky beach bars. The Bomba Shack in Tortola, (BVI) is made purely of driftwood and corrugated iron. This rustic bar gives out a peaceful vibe which changes only when hundreds gather for Bomba Shack’s famous full moon parties.

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