Red Bull Surf Photographer Amber Mozo Gets Real on Protecting Yourself from the Sun
Summer will be here before you know it and it calls for lots of leisure-filled weekends on sandy beaches. But before you can unwind by the shore, you must endure the dreaded hassle of swimsuit shopping, an exhausting experience for even the most seasoned shopper. Armed with years of experience surrounding all things sun and sand, Hawaii-based Red Bull surf photographer Amber Mozo sat down with us at Oahu's Volcom Pipe Pro competition to give us a breakdown of her best swimwear shopping practices. Scroll through ahead for 9 can't-miss IRL Blue Crush moments paired with her practical fashion advice.
Photo: Mark Lee1/9Right off the bat, Amber revealed how important it is to opt for a size smaller when grabbing swimwear. "I'm saying this since I'm not on land as much when I go by the water," she told Teen Vogue "I go down a size because in the water, swimsuits become looser. If you know you're going to be in the ocean all summer, it's better to get something that's really tight on you."
Photo: Mark Lee2/9She went on to say that she actively avoids fussy string bikini styles. "I love swimsuits you don't have to tie," the 22-year-old said. "They easily go over your head and stay on. I don't want anything falling off when I'm swimming or surfing."
Photo: Ryan Foley3/9When she goes deep into the waves for her photos, Amber switches up her outfit completely. "A classic one-piece with long-sleeves are typically what photographers and surfers in Hawaii wear," she explained. "The good thing is a lot of them have built-in UV protection, so you don't even have to put sunscreen on, the rash guard protects you."
Photo: Mark Lee4/9Amber added, "Usually I go for a fitted zip-up in the front with a swimsuit underneath." This makes things easier once you emerge from the water. "When you're back on shore, some people just rip of their guard and are ready to go. This is really popular and I think it's only going to get bigger because of how good it is for your skin."
Photo: Amber Mozo5/9As far as ocean footwear goes, Amber has quite the collection of flippers. "I have several pairs," she confessed. "I put on the pink, stripes, black, or blue depending on the suit I wear."
Photo: Mark Lee6/9Like most beachgoers though, she prefers to go barefoot once she hits the sand. "I seriously forget them in the sand every time," Amber said. "I've left all my favorite pairs along the shore, so I try to go barefoot as much as possible. California is a bit more of a hike and if I'm there, I'll wear slip-ons or Rainbow sandals."
Photo: Nathan Petty7/9When it comes to navigating cover-ups, Amber leans toward fuss-free options. "I love wearing sundresses," she revealed. "High-waisted shorts with a little shirt is ideal for the beach, too. I just try not to have a lot of stuff in my backpack."
Photo: Amber Mozo8/9Last but not least, Amber emphasized that hats are a must. "You need hats," she mentioned. "It makes my skin crawl when girls sit out and let their face get wrecked all day. I used to be that way years ago, but now I like to have a hat, an umbrella, sunglasses, and sunblock with me at all times."
Photo: Amber Mozo9/9Once you've finished shopping Amber's checklist, get ready to unplug and take in the gorgeous natural scenery. And if you have a moment, grab an Instagram-worthy picture near a palm tree like this one.
