The holidays are just around the corner and it's time to get that bod beach-worthy again.
No more hiding those pasty, somewhat hirsute legs in safe leggings or thick black opaque tights of the highest denier anymore!
Party season is already in full swing and we want to see some seriously sexy skin!
1) Radiate good health
Naturellement, this seems highly ironic since the party season pretty much translates as a time to continuously pig out on a multitude of tasty yuletide treats and guzzle as much alcohol as possible.
What we actually mean is to prep your body i.e get it ready for the onslaught that it is about to receive!
This month, try and do as much exercise (in any form) as you can, even if this means merely walking the dog up the road and back.
The reason? Come January, the only exercise you'll most probably be doing is lifting the cocktail glass to your lips and adjusting your sunhat whilst you lay glamorously beside the pool without a care in the world.
2) Next: Exfoliate like your life depends on it
Say sayonara to that grey, scaly winter layer of skin and scrub that body to remove all those dead skin cells.
STYLE BLOG loves Dermalogica's Exfoliating Body Scrub and also a good sea salt scrub (Try Origins or The Body Shop).
3) Brown is beautiful (and slimming!)
Unless you are going for a demure peaches and cream, English Rose look , when it comes to summer, "Casper the Ghost" pale rarely looks good. Rather than roasting yourself rotisserie style at the beach (a la Donatella Versace) always opt for a good spray tan or self-tan yourself.
For a great spray tan, STYLE BLOG loves Forme (Freemans Bay, Auckland) and for self-tanning it's always with Ultraceuticals self tanning lotion.
Here are some important self-tanning tips:
After exfoliation always pat yourself completely dry.
For an ompa-lompa free-zone, the key is to apply small amounts of fake tan evenly as you can and keep building up later on.
Be very careful around of the driest parts of your body i.e. your knees, elbows, hands and feet. These can be complete disaster zones if wrongly applied.
Wash your hands immediately after finishing application! The tan will develop over the next 6-8 hours so be patient.
Very importantly, the next day, moisturise, moisturise, and moisturise to maintain that sexy new tan
After a couple of hours, voila! You're a bronzed goddess ready to knock 'em dead at the beach or pool party!
4) You must never forget your feet and hands
Treat yourself to a good pedicure to buff those tootsies to sparkling perfection. This really is a must have when you are prancing about in strappy sandals or dancing on a yacht in five-inch party heels. Also, even though we are on holiday, don't let yourself go by forgetting about your hands! Invest in a great manicure and get those digits polished and immaculate.
STYLE BLOG loves Diamond Nails in Herne Bay/Ponsonby
5) It is indeed an old adage but drink lots and lots of water, as we all get very dehydrated over summer and this is not good for the skin
STYLE BLOG loves Antipodes water in both still and sparkling.
You are now primed and prepped for summertime fun!
Always remember when out and about to:
Religiously wear a great sun block at all times. STYLE BLOG loves: L'Oreal UV Perfect - at SPF50, there ain't nothing getting through that sucker!
- A great sunhat. STYLE BLOG loves those currently available at Country Road and the super cheap'n'cheerful ones from The Warehouse.
-Great sunglasses that protect you from UV rays and suit your face shape. We suggest checking out the range at The Sunglass Hut and OPSM and STYLE BLOG loves Karen Walker's range of sunnies!
Next week, swimsuits!
See you then!
Read more of Michiko and Clifton's blogs.
