If your summer holiday is coming up, you might be a little worried about baring that winter skin in a skimpy swimsuit. But there’s no need to go undercover. You can get beach ready with these easy peasy bikini body tips.
- Use props.
- Fake it.
- Glam up.
- Be comfortable in your own skin.
If you’re going to be showing more of you, make sure your skin is at its best by staying well hydrated. Those eight glasses a day do a double shift by keeping your metabolism in gear and your skin clear.
- Pump up your confidence.
- Suit yourself, strategically.
- Highlight your head.
- Pay attention to minor details.
- Ready your mind.
Just because you’re wearing less clothing, doesn’t mean you can’t look great - in fact, all the more reason to accessorise. Some funky flip-flops, stylish sunglasses, a striking sun hat and a great bag will dress up any swimsuit and steal some of the focus from your body.
A bit of colour will instantly make you look slimmer and hide the dreaded cellulite. Give yourself a base tan without exposing your skin to harmful rays with a fake tan. Remember, however, that they don’t generally provide sun protection so you still need to use a factor suitable for your natural skin colour.
Bin that oversized t-shirt for a more flattering style. If you want to hide your legs, choose a long sarong - stick to the dark solids for ultimate flattery. Or pick a suit with a matching skirt for built-in upper thigh coverage. Tie a button down shirt at the waist to hide a tummy that sticks out more than you’d like.
Exercise is one of the best ways to improve your body image and boost your overall self-esteem by getting the endorphins flowing. You’ll feel better overall and the extra calories you burn will help you lose weight before you leave for your destination.
While a cover-up and accessories are helpful, the swimsuit itself is your major weapon when it comes to flattering your shape! If you’re not comfy baring your belly, choose one with a Lycra-Spandex blend to flatten it. A tankini top will hide a tummy, as well. Need to make legs look longer? Select a swimsuit with higher-cut legs. To emphasise your waist, choose a suit with an underwire. Bottom line: Look for a suit that plays up your best features and minimises the ones you feel less confident about.
Have you had the same hairstyle for a while? This could be the perfect time to try something new, like highlights, which always look great in the summer. Ask your stylist which cuts and colours would look best with your colouring and the shape of your face and decide together how you can draw more eyes to your face.
A manicure, painted toenails and nicely shaped eyebrows can make a huge difference in your confidence about your appearance. Be meticulous about the finer points of beauty and you’ll give any beach babe a run for her money.
If the mere mention of the beach calls to mind images of Baywatch babes, remind yourself that in the real world, the majority of us don’t look anything like that – more women wear a size 14 than a size 10. So feel confident that you look your very best!