Summer is about baring skin and showing off the beautiful (fake) summer tan you have. But in order to look good baring that skin, you need to take some time to ready your skin and reverse the signs of neglect you showed your skin during fall, winter and spring.
Knock of each step on my skin care tips for glowing skin and you'll be ready to pull out your favorite summer dress in no time flat.
1. Exfoliate Your Body
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It's so very important to exfoliate your skin. Your body sheds skin cells at an amazing rate every minute of every day. If you don't get rid of them, they'll just sitting on your skin making you look dull and dry. No matter how much lotion you use, you're never going to have glowing skin if you don't exfoliate. Grab a body scrub and hit the shower. Gently rub your exfoliator in circular movements on your entire body from the shoulders down (you'll want a facial exfoliator for your face and neck) and rinse clean. Continue to do this 2-3 times a week for year-round beautiful skin.
Product Pick: Aquolina Pink Sugar Body Scrub (buy direct) is a fun summer scrub with hints of raspberry, orange and lily of the valley.
2. Shave the Right Way
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I won't ask for a show of hands; you know who you are. In the winter, what is the point of keeping your legs religiously shaved daily when you know your legs will never see the light of day? Those lazy days of winter are over. Find a good razor that won't cause razor burn. I'm a fan of Gilette's Mach 3. (compare prices) When picking out a shaving cream, don't choose the $1.00 men's cream; a shaving lotion is much better for your skin as it will hydrate and help ward off nicks and cuts. In a pinch? Use your conditioner for a moisturizing shaving cream.
3. Hydrate your Body with a Summer-Scented Lotion
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Find a summery lotion that you won't forget to put on. It's time to pack away your thick winter body butters for more light summery lotions. You don't have time to wait for your lotion to sink in, so look for something light fast absorbing. Gels and Purees are perfect fast absorbers. I personally love to break out the coconut or mango scented lotion for summer. Nothing spells summer more than a light refreshing fruity lotion. Make sure you apply right after you dry off from your shower. You need to seal in the moisture your body just soaked in.
Product Pick: Pacifica: Bali Lime Papaya Body Lotion is a sweet scented lotion perfect for summer. (buy direct)
4. Get a Safe Summer Glow
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You have so many choices when it comes to adding a little summer tint to your skin, and the tanning bed shouldn't be one of them. Using a sunless tanner will give your skin a beautiful start to summer. Even if you're not a fan of sunless tanners all over your body, you can happily use them on your face. If you alternate your facial moisturizer with one that builds a bit of color, you'll have a healthy glow that will make it look as though you just spent the weekend on the beach. Most facial tanners build color gradually, by alternating with your regular moisturizer, you'll never get too dark.
Product Picks - Face - Lancome: Flash Bronzer (buy direct) Body - Clarins: Self Tanning Instant Gel(buy direct)
5. Don't Forget your Feet
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Winter boots have long since been packed away; it's sandal season ladies. Either go and get a pedicure (try a beauty school if cost is a factor), or give yourself an at-home pedicure. You scrub off the dead dry skin to reveal your sandal ready feet. Nothing is worse than seeing dull dry feet inside cute sandals. It doesn't have to be a big ordeal. Keep a foot scrub and file in your shower and scrub your feet a few times a week. You'll notice a big difference in the softness of your feet.
Product Pick - Bliss: Foot Patrol uses salicylic acid to exfoliate, which will leave your skin super smooth. (buy direct)
6. Find a New Bold Summer Polish
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Buy a bold new polish for your toes. Toe nails can be painted a much bolder color than you would usually put on your fingernails. Pick out something that screams summer. Polish tends to stay on your toes much longer than your hands because you don't abuse your toe nails like you do your finger nails. Apply a clear base coat, two applications of color and a clear top coat to protect. Go barefoot or put on your flip-flops for at least a couple hours to make sure your polish won't dent.
Product Pick - Nars: Orgasm is a great color to go with bronze, summer skin. (compare prices)
7. Out With the Old - Buy a New Sunscreen
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Throw away last year's unused sunscreen for a new bottle. Sunscreens aren't meant to last forever, and seeing most people don't use as much as they should, I bet you have a bottle or two stored away. Be safe and pick up a new one. And don't forget the most important sunscreen advice: USE IT. You should be using a shot glass full for your body, and a full teaspoon just on your face. Reapply every 1-2 hours that you are in the sun to ensure a summer full of safe sun fun.
