Be a Surfer Girl

Have you ever wanted to be a surfer girl? Read on if you want a part of that sun-kissed, laid back style that makes surfer girls so cool and irresistible.

Steps

Get the look

  1. Remember that the whole surfer look is one of carefree casualness. Nothing's too done, so don't spend ages on your hair - leave it be, put minimal make up on (a bit of mascara, eyeliner and lip gloss is fine) and wear casual clothes.
  2. Try to get surfer girl hair. It is not true that all surfers have blonde hair because it is bleached from the sun. Brunettes don't go blonde just because they spend time in the sun. However, surfers do have lighter hair than others because they spend a lot of time in the sun and saltwater makes your hair lighter - think Fabiola Gatti. A good way to achieve this look is to mix one part of sea salt with three parts of water, and spritz on your hair using an old hairspray bottle. It will give you that care-free "just surfed" look and is a good, natural alternative to dye if you can't actually go surfing all the time. If your hair is naturally wavy or curly, embrace it - surfer hair is typically tousled. If it's naturally straight, after towel drying hair curl it in rags/french plait it and leave it overnight and it will be wavy by morning. There are some products on the market that boast 'surfer hair' so try these out and see what they do for. And also, if you have darker hair, or hair that's a little more thick, then you should try putting it in a braid, or braids. Or put you hair in a bun, or a side ponytail, or just leave it down.
  3. Get a tan. It's essential for that laid-back, carefree look and looks flattering on almost everyone as it is an automatic slimmer and makes you look healthier and radiant. Real surfers have real beach tans, but of course if you live in a climate where you need to wear a wet suit, it's very easy to get that unflattering 'wet suit tan' where past the neck you're completely white! Additionally you might live in a cooler climate not near the beach, or it might be winter, or you may sunburn instead of tan. Here, the only solution is sunless tanning, either through a sunbed (not recommended), or faking it. Make sure you use a good quality tanner, exfoliating beforehand and moisturizing afterwards to prolong it. And if you have darker skin, then you don't have to tan, unless you still want to. But your skins already perfect for it.
  4. Sort out your wardrobe. Your clothes may include surf brands like Billabong and Roxy, but you shouldn't wear only surfing brands. Real surfers don't always live in beach brands, it can be too expensive and they're not always practical. The usual outfit for a surfer girl is board-shorts and a bikini, but for school or during cool weather, surf-inspired tops and jeans are a good look. Also, many surfer girls are bohemian in style and opt for the 'boho chic' look (see Sienna Miller, Mary-Kate Olsen for ideas), which means gypsy inspired clothes, long skirts, maxi dresses, floral prints, lots of bangles and jewellery, and layered clothing. Girls in Hawaii usually wear lots of beach coverup dresses. What lots of girls wear are jean shorts with any tank, tee, or hoodie, with a neutral colored leather belt, trucker hat, and Vans or converse slip-ons, or flip flops. While at the beach, wear a long pareo (sarong) tied loose and low around your hips. You can also use this item as a beach blanket or wrap up in it if you are cold. Always bring a pareo with you to the beach. You should always have:
    • plenty of denim shorts
    • a few pairs of jeans
    • lots of basic tank tops and tees
    • a few sundresses in floral prints or bright colors
    • 2-3 cardigans
    • 2-3 hoodies
    • 2 pairs of cargo pants
    • flattering bikini
    • flip-flops
  5. Wear jewellery such as bracelets made of hemp, rope, string and seashells, and necklaces made of the same materials or rock pendants. You'll want to wear these 5 to 10 bracelets at a time so that they stack up your wrist. Bonus points if you get bracelets that can be worn in the water. Just note, you will get tan lines from them.
  6. Paint your toenails a bright color so your feet look nice - remember they'll be bare on the beach. Most surfers paint their nails. Good colors are bright colors! Teal, aqua, orange, red, hot pink, and sunshine yellow. But remember, sand and nail varnish don't mix. It gets scraped off really quickly.

Live the life

  1. Start spending more time at the beach or at the pool. Preferably beach. If you don't live near one, encourage a group of mates to take up the sport with you and go on surfing trips to the coast occasionally. Book a campsite/stay at a surf lodge, have barbecues...they're really fun! If you're at a university see whether they have a surfing club or society. If not, start one! You'll probably get quite a lot of interest and then organizing trips to the coast will be a doddle.
  2. Being a surfer girl requires you to be a surfer, as stated earlier. Go down to the coast and get some lessons, it's hard at first but once you get the hang of it, and the more you practice, the better you'll get! Surf hire is usually quite cheap, and if you've got a friend who can teach you, great! Or you can find a cute surfer guy willing to show you how...if not, there are so many places offering surfing lessons. You have to know the basics of surfing, and a bunch of tricks. The main idea of being a surfer girl is to surf a lot! But make sure you also know the technical aspects, so you know what you're talking about when you get into a conversation with a surfer guy!
  3. Buy a super cool surfboard, preferably in bright colors. Have a surfboard that looks good with all your bathing suits. Remember, the colors don't matter as much as the quality of the board. Bad board with good pictures are bad. If you can't afford one then rent one while you save up! If you are a beginner, get a long surfboard, it catches waves easier and and quicker and also maneuvers easier. The more experienced you get, the shorter board you get!
  4. Get into shape. You'll want a beach body with all the time you'll be spending there! Of course, with all the surfing you'll be doing I'm sure this will come in time. Take up a beach sport like volleyball, or go running on the sand. It's great for your legs and allows you to check out the other surfers! Remember to eat as healthily as you can as well.
  5. Have the right attitude. Surfer girls are confident, optimistic and fun. They never take life too seriously, they're known to be cool people and down with everything. Be open minded and be ready to try new things. If someone does something you don't agree with, don't start criticizing, let them do what they want, it's none of your concern - unless they're doing something that is hurting you or someone else, in which case it's good to stand up for yourself/them. If someone complains about you, take it in your stride - you can't please everyone. If someone's nasty to your face, smile and shrug. The word to base your attitude on is 'chilled' - relax and take life as it rolls in with the waves. Be a hippie. This doesn't mean you necessarily have to take the drugs though, even though smoking cannabis is glamourized in surfer movies and is part of the cultures, not all surfers do this.
  6. Listen to surf music, and generally music from the 60s - The Beach Boys of course are the epitome, but check out other artists such as Jan & Dean, The Surfaris, Dick Dale and The Trashmen. You can't beat a bit of reggae and ska either. Check out Sublime and Jack Johnson too.
  7. Practice yoga and pilates. One, it's important to improve balance and core strength which will help you when you're surfing, and secondly it's peaceful. Surfers are peaceful people.
  8. Be an environmentalist. If you're a surfer you care about nature and respect it. Recycle, and learn about ocean preservation and wildlife so you know what you're surfing in and try to protect it.
  9. Learn to play the acoustic guitar. This is optional, but it's awesome when a girl can play guitar, and sing-a-longs on the beach at sunset after a surf session are awesome. Even if you don't play well, practice a few well known songs. These would include Sublime songs such as Bad Fish and Santeria.
  10. Bag yourself a hot surfer boyfriend. Optional, but, let's face it, surfer guys are the hottest guys around, and it's nice to have someone to share the waves with you and then cuddle up to on the beach watching the sunset after your afternoon session...
  11. Make sure to be yourself at all times and be the happiest person in the world.

Tips

  • Don't just start surfing to pick up guys or just to make yourself look cool or popular. Only do it if you want to. Just be you.
  • Hygiene follows on from the above. Deodorant is a must as surfer girls are very active - surfing and playing volleyball. Shower daily, after surfing.
  • Make sure to take care of your skin and hair. Saltwater is great for your hair and makes it really soft after a while, but remember to wash too! And moisturize after every session to stop the sand, sun, and water drying out your skin. Nobody likes a flaky surfer girl.
  • Hang out with the boys. Surfer girls have a lot of guy friends because they share the beach with them. Be confident with them, and make sure you can surf and talk about surfing well enough - and they'll instantly know you for a surfer girl!
  • Dress subtly. You want to look like you aren't looking for attention, you just get it.
  • Don't swear. It's okay to use replacement words, like 'flippin' - but swearing is not cool or respectable, or at all attractive! Surfer girls are chilled and even though they may have that 'don't care' look and attitude, they are classy. They have no need for swearing.
  • Make friends with other surfers in your area. Surfing alone makes you look antisocial, and surfers are sociable people. Interact! Maybe you could go running with someone or join a volleyball game, or even get surfing lessons from your peers when you start out.
  • If you want to dress like a surfer, don't wear Hollister. It may seem like a surfer brand, because they hang surfboards up and sell surfing magazines, but it's really not. If you go around telling people you surf and you're wearing Hollister, everyone will think you're a kook (inexperienced surfer). Wear Roxy, Quiksilver, Hurley, Vans, and more brand like that.
  • You won't get it the first time. It takes time. Don't give up. Find friends and family to support you big people that bring you down.

Warnings

  • Don't forget to have fun. Surfer girls are very fun people!
  • Sun exposure can cause premature aging, damage to hair and skin and cancer in later life. You must wear sun cream with SPF 30 AT LEAST. The higher the better. You do not want to get cancer in a few years, or, less seriously, get all wrinkly and nut-like before you're thirty. Not a good look or life ethic. Make sure your sun cream is waterproof - there are special surf ones designed for beach culture, where people spend lots of time in the sun and sea.
  • Sun and sea can damage your hair so make sure you take good care of it! Use products specially formulated for sun-exposed hair.
  • Wearing too much make up will give people the impression you're posing as a surfer to get some surfer guy attention. You don't really need any make up at all - if you look healthy, you look hot! Beware of mascara running in the sea. Make up and water don't mix!
  • Be careful not to wear too many surf brands like Billabong, Roxy, Animal etc. as many of these are not functional surf clothes - they are just beach inspired. You need some technical clothes like board shorts, and also - normal clothes! Surfer girls don't have to just wear surf clothes! Anything that gives the impression you are a carefree, sunny, happy, conscientious and interesting person is clothing fit for a surfer girl. Summer dresses are good. Too many brands will make you look like a poser.
  • Beware of sand! It scrapes off nail polish, and gets everywhere. It takes several days to get it all off. Bear this in mind if there's a formal event coming up.
  • Don't wear skinny jeans or pantyhose. They are a nightmare when combined with sand and wet legs! The same goes for tight tops. Your only tight items of clothing should be your wetsuit and your bikini.

Things You'll Need

  • Swimsuits
  • A wetsuit
  • A surfboard
  • Surfboard wax
  • Towel
  • Leash (for surfboard)
  • SPF 30 sunscreen
  • The ocean

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