Perhaps this must be my most unglamorous photos in my entire life being posted in public, but somehow, I don’t mind. I was surprised at myself with that reaction, with me, having that need to always look good and presentable anywhere. I think I know why I didn’t mind being part of a Dealgrocer ad, with my hair all disheveled, and drenched in hair-killing saltwater, and me sans the makeup and even my eyebrows ( ack!!! diving after one hour erases even the most waterproof eyebrow makeup! ) .
I am happy. Scuba diving makes me really, really happy.
I’ve taken the Open Water Scuba Diving Course offered by John Mateos Ong together with my sister and good friend Diana ( from Sample Room, too! ) last May. Our lessons were conducted at a venue within the city, in a really deep swimming pool to learn the basics before going to sea. It was tough, and I thought I wouldn’t like it. You should have seen me do the backroll ( just like a Nestle backward dunk ) for the first time – I got all bruised because I tried to hold on to the railing of the pool! It also was difficult for me to adapt into scuba diving, as being a swimmer, I used to be an expert in holding my breath, and relying on my goggles just for underwater visibility. In scuba diving, the number one rule is never to hold your breath underwater. Such a difference!
It took us a while to get certified by PADI and schedule our checkout dives ( you need four checkout dives in order to be certified ), and when I first touched based with the sea with all the equipment at my back, I felt I was home.
Diving is such an exhilarating experience! As you go underwater, it’s like going to a whole new world. You get to swim with the fish, see beautiful kinds of fish, and it’s just calming to the mind to dive. I feel really at peace, and relaxed whenever I dive, forgetting all the stress that I’ve accumulated all throughout the week, and it re-energizes me as I go back to the city and face my new week. I also feel that scuba divers are just like astronauts – you are suspended underwater, as you control your buoyancy, you can control how much you are suspended within the depths of the sea – you can swim on top of corals, or go deeper as you please. It’s like flying, underwater version. You’re just so free underwater. Really, I’m getting hooked with this little by little! A major plus, aside from diving, is meeting new people. I’ve gained alot of friends with this experience, as well!
Now, as I am enjoying scuba diving, I don’t really forget my beauty essentials during my dive trips. Rather, they ARE my must-bring stuff! With the harsh seawater that threatens my hair sanity ( ahh! my colored hair gets damaged by the minute with saltwater – a deadly combo ), and the sun that threatens to burn my skin, here are my beauty essentials ( aside from the usual skin care and toiletries ) that I suggest for everyone to bring during dive trips, or beach trips this summer!
1. A really effective sunblock.
…and I mean a really, really good one! With the glaring sun, you’re exposed to the sun for hours even if you’re underwater. You would still need to reapply as long as the sun’s shining. I’ve heard about alot of divers having sun damage, or melasma, and I’m trying not to be that girl, as …I can’t! Hahaha!
I’ve found a good sunblock called Dermplus Moisturizing Sunblock SPF80. It’s water-resistant ( I don’t think there are really waterproof sun protection products that work ), it’s thick ( good for diving and water sports ) and it’s really affordable at P300 something per tube! I love this as it is effective- I didn’t get a burn, though I got a little bit red on the face, and it doesn’t hurt the pocket to stock up, specially if my sister and I were to dive more frequently. I recommend this for the beach, too!
2. Argan oil for the hair. The only thing that will save your hair.
For those who have colored hair, your hair is in danger with the sun and saltwater. It will kill it! The best defense, or at least effort to keep your hair in less damaged shape would be applying conditioner on your hair or applying argan oil on your hair prior to swimming/diving. As for argan oil, I trust Snoe Beauty’s products- namely my favorite Hair Heroes Argan Oil Conditioner and Oil for All pure Argan Oil.
My hair gets really impossibly tangled and crazy right after a dive. My only salvation would be Snoe Beauty’s Hair Heroes. I swear this saves my hair big time!
Note from me – Use argan oil before swimming, and after swimming ( shower time ).
3. A good, light lotion.
Post-sun exposure, and post-shower, it’s just really tight, dry skin and you. Give it some comfort with some good light lotion like Moringa-02 Malunggay Herbal Lotion. This still remains a favorite of mine!
4. A sun-cooling gel
Oh, this is the one that I forgot during my trip, and would want to bring with me for my next trip. When it would be really, really sunny, you need this to soothe your skin. The feeling as you apply this on your shoulders, and moreso your face, is just plain bliss when you’ve been exposed under the sun for so long.
I personally recommend Celeteque Dermoscience Sun Care Sun Relief After-Sun Gel. It soothes all the redness, and the itchiness away with key ingredients aloe vera and wheat, and trust me, it feels so good after sun exposure. It gets easily absorbed into the skin, and it’s very cooling, and it’s not greasy or heavy -something that you’d hate when it’s just so warm. It must be one of those products that you don’t think that you’d need, but after using it, you’d definitely want it in your summer essentials list!
Makeup Essentials For a Beach/Dive/Surfing Trip. Not that you’re wearing any during your activities!
Aside from the usual skin care ( wash, toner, moisturizer, try to bring a small travel-sized facial scrub, too ) and bath essentials ( soap/bath gel ), these are the add-ons, that I really highly recommend for you to bring. As for makeup, I don’t think we want to do full makeup when we’re enjoying the sea, right? But I’m sure you would want to apply makeup ( just like me! ) just before you go home. Let me just share with you the most scrimped version of my makeup kit that I brought with me to my dive trip last weekend,
Fairydrops BB Cream – no need for primer on a beach trip, I believe! This one glides in smoothly, and naturally on the skin. It’s just like you have good skin.
Palgantong Theatrical or UV Powder – A loose powder just to set the BB cream, for those who have oily skin. Available at Beautyandminerals.com!
K-Palette Eyebrow Pen – for natural-looking brows, this is my savior. I try to draw in such a way that it’s not too defined, but I try to make my brows look full ( I mean, look at my eyebrows on the ad! Nonexistent hahaha! )
Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry – for those naturally red lips. This one moisturizes my lips big time, and makes my lips naturally reddish and healthy. I love this! ( This is also included in the Clinique Bonus Time goodie bag this March for free- so…go for it! haha! )
Well, there you have it! My summer essentials recommendations when you’re going to the beach, diving, surfing, or do any water sports! I hope that everyone will get to enjoy their summers this year – it’s getting warmer and warmer by the minute, and I truly feel that it’s time to go to enjoy the sand and sea this season!
I also encourage you to sign up to my mentor’s diving classes, as offered in Dealgrocer! Who knows, we might be divefriends and see each other during John’s trips!
Tata for now!
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Woohooo! Clap clap clap for you Ms. Sophie! Good job!
Btw, did you get any adverse reaction when you used the sunblock? My skin is kinda sensitive so I just stick to my sunblock which is Hawaiian Tropic.
Dyanie : NOPE! Not at all! This was formulated by a company backed up by dermatologists, you might want to check it out
Thank you!!! 
aww..unglamorous para sayo para sa akin, CUTE CUTE photo mo yan!! I am glad you are very happy with scuba diving and its something fun to do talaga hangga’t kaya ng katawan! GO GO GO!
Hi Sophie thanks for sharing! I enjoyed reading your diving account. I love the water, and I also go to the beach with my sisters haha! I’m still chicken to try scuba diving though. My sister tells me to gather my courage about me but hey, that’s easier said than done!
I use hair conditioner and sunblock before swimming; I reapply both after 2 hours. Ang sakit kaya magka-sunburn so I really pay attention to the summer essentials. The Dermplus sunblock is affordable at 300; may I know how many ml or g is that tube?
how i wish i could join classes like this! I love the sea and the beach but I am not a swimmer
I just find the beach very relaxing! And nakakatuwa, may beauty essentials pa rin yung post mo, hihihi 
Scuba diving is a lifelong dream and definitely on my bucket list. A close friend from office is getting certified tomorrow and she’s also super happy about it. Inggit ako in a good way! Hihi. One day!