In China, where pearly white skin is favored over tanned brown skin-- the latest in beachwear for women includes this device.
Part ski-mask, part balaclava... the 'face-kini' is all the rage on Chinese beaches.
And despite their sometimes strange appearance, women say it's worth it to keep their face pearly-white.
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) UNNAMED LOCAL RESIDENT SAYING:
"This? This is to block the sun."
REPORTER ASKING: "AREN'T PEOPLE COMING TO BEACH TO GET TANNED?"
"My body is already tanned. It is ugly to look tanned."
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 55-YEAR-OLD LOCAL RESIDENT MS. HAN SAYING:
"It is ok if our body gets sun-tanned. But if women's faces get tanned too, we would look ugly in our clothes."
But not all women go to such extremes to protect their skin.
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 80-YEAR-OLD LOCAL RESIDENT CHEN FUXIU SAYING:
"They look like ghosts and witches. Very ugly."
Unlike sun worshipping westerners, for the Chinese, the beach is best enjoyed behind a mask.
