FASHION Magazine

Though our friends south of the border still like to refer to us as the Great White North, we’re turning up the heat with 5 Canadian-made and runway-ready swimwear worthy of some seriously sunny attention. Meet the designers »

The post Catch the wave: 5 Canadian swimwear lines that have earned their place in the sun appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Let’s blame The Little Mermaid for making us think that with a quick flip of our hair, it’s possible to look like a perfect princess when emerging from the water. Sadly, it takes a little bit more of an effort to make sure your hair and makeup can stand up to the elements—and during the summer months, the sweaty, sticky heat can do just as much damage as a dip in the pool.

While we love that summer beauty is all about keeping things to a minimal, it can be tricky to figure out which products work best under the scorching sun. As such, we’ve turned to the Beauty Panel for tips and tricks about waterproof makeup, sweat-proof application techniques and summer-ready hairstyles. Whether you’re going to the first summer pool party of the year or just walking between your office and the subway, we want to make sure that no matter how sweaty things get, you’ll look your best.

Challenge 13: What are your tips for waterproof, sweat-proof or sun-proof beauty? See the answers now! »

If you’re anything like me, the struggle to find a bathing suit for your body that not only flatters curves but figure flatters is one that fills me with more anxiety than finals, first dates and family functions combined.

Growing up, I was always on the chubbier side of the spectrum. Never morbidly overweight, but definitely holding on to my cozy layers of baby fat far into puberty. When summertime came and it was time for all us kids to get shipped off to summer camp, I dreaded days spent lounging on boardwalks and beaches, fearing the scrutiny of my skinnier peers. I remember the first bikini I ever bought that made me feel confident in my skin. It was a turquoise triangle bikini with thick bands, palm trees and pineapples adorning my teenage tatas. Since then, I have owned one bathing suit for nearly 7 years–a low-cut, black one-piece that screams “I don’t want to be wearing a bathing suit right now!”

Well, no longer. Sure, over the years I have slimmed out and have grown into my fuller hourglass figure. But most importantly, I grew into the idea that summer was meant for fun, and hiding under a beach blanket is no way to spend it.

Similar to shopping for the perfect bra or pair of jeans, swimsuit shopping can be downright daunting. There are just too many people out there telling us to suck in, cover up and, god forbid, wear a tankini if our mid-sections aren’t quite as chiseled as Candace Swanepoel’s. So, I will not sit here and barrage you with options for covering up your “ass”ets. Nope! Instead, I want us all to focus on highlighting what our mamas gave us. Embrace curves, accept flat chests, let your ba-donk-a-donk jiggle free! Here, we’ll show you how to find the right bathing suit for your body from long and lanky to pear shaped and beyond.

Check out our 5 best bets here » Favour statement-making, not shape shifting? Patterned swim trunks make a splash this season from plaid to floral and everything in between.

The post MEN’S FASHION Spring 2013: 5 patterned swim trunks that make a splash this season appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

It’s almost swim season, which means it is time to flip through endless shopping guides to find your perfect bikni, tankini, monokini and so on.

Summer is the perfect time to try out new swimsuit shapes and styles that work best with your body, and with a wide selection of suits out there—from one piece to two-piece swimsuits in every colour in the rainbow—you’re bound to have options. If you’re thinking about straying away from the simple one piece at your first pool party of 2013, why not look to Mara Hoffman’s colourful tie-dyed swimsuit for inspiration with cutout panels to add a bit of sultriness to your look? If you don’t feel comfortable showing too much skin, take notes from Rochas’ floral two-piece. Showing only a bit of your midriff, this swimsuit style will definitely add a retro yet feminine touch to your poolside outfit.

See our swim 2013 picks »

Or jump to: BLACK | CUT OUTS | METALLIC | RETRO | STRIPES

Finally, summer is just around the corner and surf, sand and sunscreen are words we’re thrilled to bring back into our vocabulary. We’ve got four glorious months of swimsuit potential just around the corner and to help you prep, we’ve got 30 must-have new styles for the swim 2013 season. While we can’t promise to make the changeroom experience any easier, we can take the guesswork out of choosing a suit that will make the biggest splash poolside.

Look to the runway for inspiration and test the waters in a brand-new bather. From bright shades to solid stripes, we are drawing inspiration from Rochas’ dainty outing to Burberry’s metallics.

On the runway, Michael Kors showed us a sporty take on stripes with a lake-ready colour-blocked style. At Moschino Cheap and Chic, the theme was floral, with hints of Hawaii. And if colour ain’t your thing, Jason Wu made us want to buy a one-way ticket to Saint Tropez when he sent a glammed up little-black-one-piece down the runway with an ultra-feminine cover up worn over top.

See the full gallery of backstage pictures! »

While bushy eyebrows may not yet be synonymous with beach babes, bronzed skin and smoky, dark features were a staple at Miami’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2013. At Brazilian label Poko Pano, the beauty was inspired by youthful beach goddesses. Make Up For Ever Alliance artist James Vincent served as key makeup artist for the show and created a look that pulled from the metallic trend that’s dominated traditional runways the last two seasons—but did so with the goal of making it beach-ready and “appropriate for everyday.” After applying smoky layers of Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in a selection of taupe and brown shades, he accented with a hit of gold and bronze.

While temperatures have been sweltering all summer long, this past weekend things got even hotter south of the border for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2013 in Miami. Models strutted down runways surrounded by sand and palm trees, and front-row guests kept complimentary fans swaying throughout the shows. So what better way to test-drive beach-approved beauty than in a city full of salty air and sunshine? As MBFWSwim’s official makeup sponsor four years running, Make Up For Ever knows a thing or two about creating looks that can withstand sweaty summer days. We spoke with their key makeup artists James Vincent and Lottie about summer beauty trends, and have five makeup tips to keep you looking pretty all season long.

Non-shiny sunscreens, lipsticks trends and more! Read on »

By Malena Harbers

Today, it’s all about customizing your tan,” says skin-care expert Nichola Joss, who created a variety of caramel tones for models at the Spring 2012 shows of British designers such as Issa and House of Holland. Designed to work with the spirit of each collection, Joss’s handiwork illustrates the idea that one hue indeed does not fit all. By adding, omitting or changing the way you apply a product, you can create a completely different-looking tan. Here, we break down the shades.

SUN-KISSED
Suntan equivalent:
A day out in the garden
Seen at: Roksanda Ilincic

MID-TONE
Suntan equivalent:
A long-weekend at the cottage
Seen at: Erdem

HOLOGRAPHIC
Suntan equivalent:
A week in the Mediterranean
Seen at: House of Holland

BRONZE
Suntan equivalent:
Weeks of sun-worshipping in Brazil
Seen at: Issa

By Leah McLaren

In my view, every bathing suit shop in the civilized world should be legally obliged to post one of those orange signs you see beside the doors of saunas. WARNING: Exit immediately if uncomfortable, dizzy or sleepy. Avoid if pregnant or in poor medical health. Bikini shopping in conjunction with alcohol or drugs may cause unconsciousness. By the time I found out, it was already too late. I was naked, weeping, red-faced and five-and-a-half-months knocked up, under the fluorescent lights of a fast-fashion change room on Oxford Street in London, England. A discarded pile of solid colour bandeau and triangle bikinis lay in a wilted pile beside me. No, it was not a good look. But then again, what was I thinking? Swimwear shopping is a self-esteem crapshoot at the best of times, let alone with a sore back, swollen tummy and bazooka breasts.

Since then, upon much sober reflection, I have compiled a list of wisdom gleaned from years of swimwear-shopping trauma. Whether you are a gangly tween contemplating your first padded two-piece or a post-partum mum longing to reclaim your inner Gidget, the following advice will help guide you seamlessly from change room to checkout.