Having lunch on top of a volcano is not something I do every
day. But in El Salvador, Central America where there are 23 volcanoes it
is part of the experience. Happily, the San Salvador volcano where I was is no
longer active, so I could relax and enjoy my meal surrounded by flowers, butterflies
and birds.
El Salvador will wow you with its natural beauty. Volcanoes,
mountains, forests, lakes and beaches are all within easy reach of San
Salvador, the capital. This country may not be highly developed in tourism but
its fresh locally grown food is delicious and there are some amazing
restaurants, many which have views that are far more beautiful than any
photograph can depict. And there are also beauty tips to be learnt from the
women.
La Gran Via, a smart shopping mall San Salvador has many
international brands including Zara.
According to Carolina from the Árbol de Fuego, a small
pretty “green” hotel in the city where I stayed, the brand changed the way
women in the country dress. “They are now far more international in style,” she
added.
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| Centro Comercial Galerias |
I couldn’t believe how many hairdressers there were.
“Latinas really care about their appearance,” Carolina said. “They often go to
the hairdressers at least a couple of times a week before work to get their
hair done so it doesn’t frizz.”
When dry, porous hair soaks up moisture from the air the
hair shaft swells resulting in the frizzes. To help combat the effects coat
your hair with plenty of conditioner.
Although PhytoSpecific is a range aimed at those with
naturally curly, frizzy or relaxed hair, when it is humid, I use its
Ultra-Repair Night Treatment (£24.50).
Denman’s jumbo heat-retaining, anti-static rollers (£3.02
for 3) are another necessity for clammy weather as they can be used to create a
tousled effect and calm down frizz. Alternatively, try the TRESemmé Salon
Professional Styling Wand (£29.99) and take a couple of sections and curl them
to give you that done but undone look.
The Latinas keep make-up simple. Blusher is a favourite as
it lifts the complexion but can also be used to correct skin tone without
having to use foundation. A colour that is close to your natural flush should
hardly need blending and won’t look funny if it wears off. The new Clinique Gradient Powder Blusher in Black
Honey (£24) is on the brown side and looks natural on as does Bobbi Brown Blush in Desert
Rose (£17) which is pinkier.
Mascara (waterproof) is an essential. Heavier make-up tends
to be kept for the evenings. The Latinas play up one feature usually the
eyes. Lips are frequently kept neutral. Try Estée Lauder Pure Color Sensuous
Rouge LipColor in Nude Affair (£20). It doesn’t dry your lips. Fans of
red lippy should leave the rest of the face nude.
By Daralyn Danns
Pictures of El Salvador: courtesy of the Central America
Tourism Agency
For info on El Salvador visit www.elsalvador.travel and www.visitcentroamerica.com
