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Sexy Swimwear Revolution
A blog about your love (ours too 😍 ) of designer swimwear, swimsuit trends, style tips and anything else wearing luxury swimwear brings to mind
Sexy Swimwear Revolution
How to pack a carry on for your next beach vacation
by Opal Hurteau
You’ve waited months (or more) for this vacation and you’ve been stuck on an 8-hour flight between a snorer and a crying baby. All you want to do is put on your swimsuit and take a dip in the pool...but you can’t. Your luggage never arrived!
Don’t let this travesty happen to you! By knowing how to pack the perfect carry on bag, you can hit the pool deck ASAP after landing at your destination.
Here’s how to pack a carry on bag with everything you need for your next beach or luxury resort vacation:
Things that are essential: Airports are dirty, crowded places that test our patience...and often our sanity. Minimize stress by having your travel documents and ID in a dedicated pocket or at the top of your bag. Don’t be “that person” who fumbles through their bag at check-in to find their documents.
Things to freshen up: Recirculated airplane air can wreak havoc on our skin, hair, and our breath. Our second tip for how to pack a carry on is to bring a small make-up bag, toothbrush, and hairbrush so you can freshen up after your long flight to look and feel your best.
Things to do: Your flight is often your first bit of relaxation on your vacation. Calm your body and mind by packing your favorite tunes (with noise cancelling headphones) or a new racy book to keep you occupied in the airport and on the plane.
Things to wear: Should the unthinkable happen, and the airline loses your luggage, carry a spare change of clothes with you. Pack 2-3 of every clothing item and choose items that can all coordinate so you can mix and match with only a few items. Pack or wear clothes that can pull double-duty, like these stunning cover ups or this sexy Celeste Halter Dress that can also double as a beach cover-up! (Bonus tip: take advantage of the hotel laundry service for your clothes so you can re-wear your clothes in different combinations)
Things to swim: If you know how to pack a carry on right, you should have plenty of room for your bathing suit and a few accessories. Also, if you choose to check a larger bag and that bag gets lost, you can still swim while the airline scrambles to find your belongings. For those who want to travel light, consider a reversible swimsuit like this glamorous black and gold suit or these one piece swimsuits. It’s two swimsuits in one.
Tina One Piece Reversible Swimsuit by Agua Bendita
Things for your feet: Here’s another item to bring that you don’t need to pack at all: Lucy Blue Divine White Sandals with Swarovski Crystals. Wear them on the plane, wear them to the pool, or for an evening out. With these you don’t need to pack multiple pairs of shoes.
That’s it! That’s how to back a carry on so you’re ready for the pool right away no matter what. Pack light and only carry what’s essential. You can always buy sundry items when you arrive. The secret is pack enough to get you through a day, including a day in the pool or beach, so if the rest of your luggage doesn’t make it to paradise with you, you’re not robbed of precious time in the sun.
Is your next trip taking you to the Caribbean? Check out our expertly curated list of swimwear and accessories for the perfect Caribbean beach vacation.
Sexy Swimwear Revolution
Best places to travel for amazing swimming
by Opal Hurteau
What does your perfect vacation look like? Do you know the best places to travel for unique or ultra-luxurious swimming?
We know you work hard everyday so vacations should be a time for pampering and relaxation. No better place to relax, than in the water in your new sexy bikini! Here are some of the best places to travel when you seek only the best resort pools and ocean havens around the world:
The Maldive Islands: What better way to show off your designer swimsuit than in the crystal clear waters in the Maldives! When you’re not swimming or snorkeling, you can be tanning on the pristine, white sandy beaches for all to see the exquisite details of your newest designer swimsuit.
The Grace Santorini (Greece): Infinity pools are on many best places to travel lists, and for good reason. The infinity pool at this Greek hotel is a must swim! Sip their signature “Grace cocktail” in the terrace-level pool while absorbing the unspoiled views of the Mediterranean Sea as far as your eye can see!
Marina Bay Sands (Singapore): Making our list of the top places to travel for swimming, the 500-foot long infinity pool on the 57th floor of this hotel earns its coveted five-star reputation. Wade in the waters with your new sun shades and take in the breathtaking Singapore skyline – a view not for the faint of heart!
Nemo 33 (Belgium): Scuba diving provides a glimpse into the less frequented undersea world, but is often not the best time to show off your luxury swimsuits as they can easily rip and tear on coral and rocks on the ocean floor. However, you can combine your love of diving and wearing your favorite swimsuit in the world’s deepest indoor swimming pool – a 108-foot deep, man-made, indoor pool where you can explore submerged houses and underwater caves. And, its’ warm 33 degree Celsius waters and concrete construction mean you can wear your favorite swimsuit without worry.
Kempinski Hotel Ishtar (Jordan): Not many views compare to that from the Celestial Pools at this hotel overlooking the Dead Sea. After your much deserved pool time, sneak away to their Anantara Spa, the largest spa in the middle east, for a little extra pampering.
Española Island, Gardner Bay (Galapagos Islands): It’s a shame when your hair or beach cover-ups hide the elegant details on your suit. Show them off, by snorkeling in the Galapagos. Then take a lesson from the local seals, and bask in the sun to get the perfect, sunkissed tan.
No matter which of the world’s top places to travel list you go, wonderous pools, beaches, and hidden swimming gems await you! Come back to the Sun Vixen blog next week to read our expert tips on packing the perfect carry-on bag for your next beach vacation.
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Sexy Swimwear Revolution
by Opal Hurteau
You’ve just splurged on a hot bikini and one piece swimsuit for your next beach vacation and now you need to make sure it looks like the day you bought it for as long as possible. Should you put in the washing machine? Should you hand wash it? Are there any other tips you should know about washing swimsuits?
We’ve got you covered in this blog. Wash your bathing suit with these 4 easy steps to help it resist fading, thinning, and pilling:
Step 1 - Do not use a washing machine
We cannot stress this enough. Do not wash your swimsuit in the washing machine. Do not use regular laundry detergent. Both of these are very harsh on your bathing suit are not suggested for proper swimsuit care. Resist the temptation! Your swimsuit will thank you.
Okay so now that we’ve established you shouldn’t put it in the washing machine. You must be wondering how to hand wash bathing suits? We go into detail below on the best swimsuit care tips.
Step 2 - Rinse promptly
First, always rinse your suit in cold water immediately after swimming or sun tanning. Make this your routine after every dip in the ocean or pool because rinsing will remove lotions, sweat, chlorine, and salt water that will break down delicate swimsuit fabrics and shorten the life of your bathing suit. If this is a new swimsuit, we suggest rinsing it as well to rid it of any dirt or chemicals that may still be on it from manufacturing.
Step 3 - Hand-wash your swimsuit
As soon as possible after rinsing, hand-wash your swimsuit in cold tap water. Use a cleaner specifically designed for dedicates and swimwear. We absolutely love to wash our suits in SOAK Swimwear Cleaner (try the pineapple scented one to feel like you’re on Hawaiian pineapple farm). Avoid using regular laundry soaps because they contain harsh chemicals that can fade and break down delicate swimwear fabrics.
Step 4 - Dry flat
If you have a fresh manicure you’ll be happy to know you don’t have to, and shouldn’t, wring, twist, and scrub your swimsuit after washing. Save your nails after washing your bikini and gently squeeze your swimwear to drain excess water - then hang dry or dry flat. Check the washing instructions for your suit to see which drying method is recommended.
If your bathing suit has any crochet detail, definitely try flat because it may curl if hung to dry. Also, dry your swimsuit in the shade rather than the sun to resist fading. Remember to rinse, hand-wash cold, and dry flat and you’ll have a bathing suit that your friends and pool-side admirers will envy on your trip to Arizona next month, and your Mediterranean cruise next year!
If you’re heading somewhere tropical and warm this winter, here are some travel size and single use swimwear cleaner products we recommend (and you can take them in your carry-on bag!)
If you have any questions about how to best care for a particular swimsuit, get in touch!
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Sexy Swimwear Revolution
Agua Bendita Swimwear | About the Brand
by Opal Hurteau
We want to introduce you to one of the first designer swimwear brands Sun Vixen Swimwear chose to work with. Agua Bendita is a luxury swimwear brand based out of Columbia that has continued to grow and evolve since it first began. When you buy an Agua Bendita bathing suit you can expect to get the best quality swimsuit you can buy. Because they are made out of the most luxurious swimsuit fabrics you’ll fall head over heels when you put one on and get plenty of wear out of it too. They are made to last with styles that stand the test of time.
Agua Bendita was founded in 2003 by friends Catalina and Mariana. Both women went to school for fashion design and decided together to start their own swimwear company. Their passion for design inspired their creativity and together they broke the mould for design and original aesthetic in swimwear. They brought unique and beautiful colours and prints to their designs which was something not yet seen in the swimwear industry.
Agua Bendita Appleblossom Bikini top and bottoms | Sun Vixen Swimwear
"The boldness of the prints and patterns attracted us to Agua Bendita. To add to that, we loved that these two inspirational women decided to do something different and the swimwear world was forever changed because of it." - Sun Vixen Swimwear
Today, the trendsetting brand is well known for their quality fabrics, bold and colorful prints, hand detailing and originality. Women in over 50 countries worldwide are attracted to Agua Bendita because it allows them to be unique and feel confident in a way that the older, more traditional swimwear brands don’t.
“Each piece has been handcrafted by hundreds of artisan Colombian women and that is why every garment is unique.” – Agua Bendita
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition
Agua Bendita was first featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition in 2007 with models Marissa Miller and Bar Refaeli. To be featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition is considered a milestone accomplishment for a swimwear brand. It has the effect of launching a brand from unknown to a world recognized name. What does it take for a swimwear brand to be featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition? Read this article by Fox News Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition: The Battle of the Bikini Brands to find out.
Agua Bendita Models
There is no question Agua Bendita has worked with some of the modelling industry’s most beautiful women.
Marisa Miller and Bar Refaeli were the first big names to step on the scene wearing Agua Bendita in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.
Marisa Miller | Agua Bendita Swimwear Model
A steady following of top models including Candice Swanepoel, Sara Sampaio, Kendall Jenner, Irina Shayk and Rocky Barnes have also represented and helped bring the brand name to the top of the designer swimwear stage.
Social Responsibility
The best reason yet for loving this brand is their social responsibility program to improve the living conditions and lives of the artisan Columbian women that work directly with Agua Bendita.
"Each Time you buy a piece from Agua Bendita you are buying more than just a swimsuit. You are getting a unique piece made with an artisanal technique that has been passed from generation to generation between Columbian artisan women. Our artisans get to work from home while they take care of their children and with your purchase you contribute to our social responsibility program, which aims to improve the living conditions of our artisans in three areas: Training, Family and Recreation" - Agua Bendita
Now that you know a little bit more about the brand you may want to try an Agua Bendita swimsuit for yourself.
Agua Bendita Skyflower Embroidered Bikini Top | Sun Vixen Swimwear
This is one of our favourite Agua Bendita bikinis! Colorfully embroidered and embellished with hand-beading detail this triangle bikini top sparkles and accentuates.
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Sexy Swimwear Revolution
How to take the best Instagram swimsuit selfie
by Opal Hurteau
After buying your new designer one piece swimsuit, what woman doesn’t want to show it off to the world? Post the perfect Instagram swimsuit selfie to stack up hundreds of likes and comments.
Here are a few tips to take the best swimsuit selfie to share with your soon-to-be-obsessed girlfriends.
Staging the perfect swimsuit selfie
Clean the lens and mirror: A dirty, smudgy mirror or camera lens will blur your photo. Give it a wipe with a lens cloth or window cleaner before taking your shot.
Know your backdrop: Check behind you for anything that could distract from you and your bathing suit like busy scenery or an unsuspecting photo bomber in a tight speedo.
Check your lighting: Overhead lighting, including the sun, can sometimes cast unflattering shadows that can make you look like you haven’t slept in a decade. For the best photo make sure you are facing the light source and don’t have your back to it. You may have to angle your camera above your head to shoot downwards and get the best photo.
Did Someone Say Selfie Stick?
Use a selfie stick: Although using one can be a little attention grabbing (who doesn’t like a little attention anyhow?), you can set yourself up to take the best swimsuit selfie when you use one. The additional distance gives a slimming and lengthening effect. Trust me, if you haven’t yet tried one to take a selfie, you will thank me once you do.
Give your head a shake: Get that salty-air Baywatch babe look by shaking your hair out. Beach waves make you and your bathing suit even sexier. Add a quick swipe of gloss and you are photo ready.
Strike a pose: Find a swimsuit selfie pose that makes you feel confident and sexy and that shows off the best features and details on your swimsuit. Try one leg to the side or crossing your legs at the ankles. Do whatever feels natural and the camera will adore you for it.
Smile for the camera: The camera is your friend. Take a few extra photos to make sure you have a bunch to choose from.
Don’t forget!
Be mindful of your phone: If taking a mirror selfie, make sure your camera doesn’t block your face or part of your swimsuit. Hold it to the side so you don't leave anything out of the photo.
Use photo filters: The awesome thing about Instagram is that they have pre-designed filters you can apply to your photos to help brighten or stylize your pictures. If you don’t take the perfect swimsuit selfie on the first try, see if a filter will make it pop.
Next time you take an Instagram swimsuit selfie in your new bikini or one piece swimsuit, be sure to tag @sunvixenswimwear on Instagram so we can see you too!
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