Now that summer is in full swing – at least in most parts of the country, sorry Midwest friends – it’s time to get ready to hit the beach. Whether your version of a beach day involves sand and surf, lounging at the lake, or sitting poolside, these tips will help you shrug of winter just in time for some serious summer sunshine.
1. Snag a Figure-Flattering Swimsuit
No, that’s not a joke. Sure, it’s going to take some thought and preparation, but finding a swimsuit that makes the most of your unique body is completely possible. Check out our post from earlier in the summer to get some tips for your body type, then hit the online stores. I’ve found it’s better to try swimsuits on in the comfort of your own home than in a cramped, fluorescent lit dressing room.
I like picking my summer swimsuits from brands that let you mix and match tops and bottoms. That way, you can pick the individual piece that is best suited to your body. Several big online retailers now offer mix-and-match swimsuits, so you are sure to find the right combo for you.
2. Slough Off That Sad Winter Skin
I’m an exfoliating addict. There is no other at-home beauty treatment or process that will yield such noticeable results immediately. All it takes is one serious exfoliation session for you to uncover softer, more youthful-looking skin.
While I’m a big fan of regular exfoliation year-round, I know that’s not realistic for most people. So, I suggest a full-body exfoliation session about three days before you are planning to bare a lot of skin, such as your long-awaited beach vacation. Look for a fine-grain scrub made from either sugar or synthetic round exfoliating grains – natural crushed shells and pits can scratch your skin.
3. Nail Down a Smart Beach Bag
It’s a little obsessive, but I always feel better about a beach excursion when my belongings are securely packed and smartly organized. This requires a just right beach bag. I look for bags that fully zip closed and have lots of room inside.
My all-time favorite is the zip-top version of a classic canvas boat bag. It comes in four sizes and eleven colors, plus you can go all prepster and get it monogrammed. If you are looking for something a little more durable than canvas, check out newer versions that use the classic silhouette, but are made from nylon fabric.
4. Perfect Your Pedicure
I’m a pedicure slacker during the winter. Sad considering, where I live in California, it’s perfectly possible to wear open-toe shoes year-round. But, still, I slack. When summer rolls around, it’s time to get back into the pedi routine.
I generally have a signature pedicure color for the summer. This year, I’m all about a glossy true cherry red that seems to go with everything. But, I’ve been staring down a bottle of creamy forest green lately. I may switch it up for a while.
No matter which color you choose for your pedicure, don’t forget to check out our tips for products that will help keep your pedicure pristine for weeks!
5. Get Your De-Fuzzing Routine Back On Track
There’s nothing like skinny-jean-and-boots weather to make you put off your daily de-fuzzing. By the time summer rolls around, I’m always deep into lazy mode when it comes to hair removal. If you too are not much for the daily grind of hair removal, a longer lasting option like waxing might be for you.
Sally Hansen’s new Ouch-Relief Wax Strip Kit is designed to be a less painful at-home waxing alternative. The kit comes with Pain Relief technology in a pre-treatment wipe – it’s the only at-home kit I’ve seen to do that. You just wipe the area you want to wax and wait 10 minutes for it to dry. Then continue on with your waxing. Pretty nifty.
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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Sally Hansen via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sally Hansen.
