Pool Time

I’ve started swimming!

Oh, I already told you all that. Well, what I didn’t tell you was how I’m managing all that chlorine exposure, and what fills up my pool bag each time I head to my local swimming hole.

Gotta tell ya though, it’s only been two weeks but swimming laps has already made such a difference – I’m sleeping better, I’m thinking more clearly, and I’m just feeling better in general.

So first things first (I’m the realest) I’ve invested in a good, proper pair of bathers; a black Speedo suit with a zipper up the front, shelf bra support, and chlorine resistant fabric. It’s actually super comfortable, and the fit is really flattering. I’ve also bought new goggles (because my old ones are MIA) by Vorgee called the ‘Dorsal’ in pink (duh) that fit very securely and keep water out of my eyes better than any pair I’ve had before.

I don’t do the swim-cap thing, mainly because I don’t own one, but also they remind me of childhood swim lessons and I HATED those rubber domes of doom that would leave red raw marks and snapped painfully on my forehead. So for now they’re a no-go.

My actual bag is an oldie but a goodie, with three different compartments, the back two being foil lined and fairly waterproofed, perfect for wet towels, thongs and bathers. The middle compartment is where I stash my clear toiletries bag and other Very Necessary Swim Things.

At home, I cleanse, and pop on a little Bright Eyes eye treatment from Goldfaden MD, followed by Drunk Elephant Hydra-B Gel. Then I pat a HEAP of oil over my face (lately I’ve been favouring Goldfaden MD Fleuressence, Chantecaille Rosede Mai oil, and Flora by Sunday Riley) to act as a barrier against the pool water. Over that I pop on Mecca Cosmetica’s Mineral Gel SPF 30 and walk over to the pool.

Once I’m there, I jump quickly under the shower, and then smother my hair in Bumble& bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Conditioner and whack it up into a bun. I’ll then rub either Lucas Paw Paw or my Lanolips Multibalm into my cuticles to protect my nails and hands. It’s all about building barriers between my skin and the pool chlorine.

And then I swim!

As soon as I’m out I jump in the shower – priority is getting the skin as clean as possible. I cleanse with Glam Glow Thirsty Cleanse to try and give back the hydration lost in the pool, and wash my hair with the Bumble & bumble Hairdressers’ Oil shampoo and conditioner. I have a body wash from a hotel toiletry set, and a mini body lotion as well.  Believe it or not, the body wash doesn’t quite cut it and I often get home still feeling chlorine-y, so I’ll usually have another shower or scrub with some Frank Bod to make sure my skin is really well and truly chlorine free.

Once home I’ll also opt for a hydrating mask like Thirsty Mud, or a Karuna sheetmask, to really, properly apologise to my skin for stripping it in the pool. And of course, finished off with more facial oil, because it’s nice to feel nice y’know?

Should any changes come up with this pretty solid (thus far) pool routine I’ll let you know.

Until next time,

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