Use plastic wrap to reach hard spots
Nothing is worse than coming home from the beach and realising you’ve got a bright red spot in the middle of your back that you missed during your earlier sunscreen application. Though there are many strategies for those hard-to-reach spots, the easiest is to apply sunscreen to a strip of plastic wrap and rub it across your back as though drying it with a towel.
Practise yoga to avoid missing your back
If you’re truly sick of all the various tips and tricks needed to ensure proper and thorough sunscreen application, then it might be time for a different approach: yoga! Regular yoga, pilates or other exercise programs focussed on flexibility will allow you to more easily reach tricky, burn-prone spots like the small of your back or behind your knees.
Use a make-up sponge to avoid irritation
The skin on your face is some of the most delicate on your body, which means it’s prone to burning faster and more easily. Unfortunately, your face is also more prone to irritation and spots, which can make sunscreen application difficult. To ensure blemish and burn-free skin, use a make-up sponge or beauty blender to gently apply sunscreen to your face.
Contour your face with precise application
Did you know that sunscreen can actually be used to give you a long-lasting, no make-up needed, contouring effect? Simply apply a medium SPF to your face as normal, and then apply a more powerful sunscreen to the points of your face that you’d like to be highlighted, like the tip of your nose, the top of your cheekbones, and under your eyes.
Use a sunscreen stick to protect the eyes
The skin around your eyes is ultra fragile and prone to wrinkles, irritation and tears, which is why it needs extra care and attention. Even specially developed facial sunscreen may be too greasy or heavy-duty for it, so it’s best to use a specifically formulated eye sunscreen, which usually comes in the form of a small stick balm.
Integrate sunscreen into your daily skin routine
Most people only think about sunscreen when heading to the beach or out on a hike. In reality, though, any day you head outside for protracted periods of time is a day you need sunscreen, even if there’s cloud cover. That’s why it’s best to sneak sunscreen into your daily skincare routine, with a primer, foundation or moisturiser that already has UV protection and high SPF.
Use a cotton swab for precise application
One of the hardest parts of adequately applying sunscreen is trying to protect your hairline while also not giving yourself greasy roots, especially given that many people heading to the beach also want to take pictures. The solution is simpler than you might imagine though, as all you need to do is use a cotton swap to precisely apply sunscreen to your hairline.
Get shine-free beach pictures with sun powder
In the long term, sunscreen is the key to gorgeous and youthful skin that glows for decades to come. Unfortunately though, it can also be the short-term enemy of beautiful beach pictures. To avoid that Instagram-ruining high shine, opt for a sunscreen powder that will mattify legs while still protecting them from UV rays.
Use a gel to protect hairy areas
One big sunscreen myth is that body hair is enough to provide some protection against the sun’s rays. What is true though, is that in areas with body hair, normal sunscreen is not often able to do its job. For hairy chests and legs, it’s wise to invest in a sunscreen gel, which will adhere to the hair to provide better coverage.
Set your sunscreen with make-up setting spray
It’s common knowledge that sunscreen needs to be reapplied frequently to be effective, but on busy vacation days, you want to give your initial application the best chance of lasting. If you want your UV protection to stick around a little longer, use a make-up setting spray over the top of your sunscreen. This won’t hinder its effectiveness but will help it stay put.
