The summer might have been a bit slow to get-going this year, but as the weather hots-up, so should you! Get ready for swimsuit season with these simple beauty and health tips that will have you bikini-ready in a flash!
Kick start your metabolism in the morning by drinking a glass of water with the juice of half a lemon squeezed into it. If this is too bitter, add a teaspoon of honey.
Eat lots of fresh fruit and veggies, which should form at least 50 per cent of your meal. Stick to lean meat, white fish and pulses, which contain amino acids to combat fluid retention.
Incorporate cellulite-fighting foods such as berries (blueberries, cranberries etc.) and citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit). These foods contain anti-oxidants which help eliminate cellulite-causing toxins, and are rich in Vitamin C to build collagen in the skin.
Stay away from fatty and processed foods which contain a lot of salt and preservatives and make you retain water. Graze on small portions throughout the day, making sure to eat every two hours until 6pm, but avoid eating after this time.
Drink plenty of water (6-8 glasses a day) to flush out excess toxins. Avoid soft drinks which will make you bloat, and definitely steer clear of alcohol: the fastest way to make you gain weight in all the wrong places – it’s called a ‘beer belly’ for a reason!
Help lift and smooth out lumps and bumps by exercising every day. Start with some gentle cardio such as walking or swimming for 20 minutes, and aim to attend a Pilates class a couple of times a week to firm up those bellies, buttocks and thighs.
At home and at work, add easy exercises into your daily routine. The aim is to keep moving as much as possible, as you can burn off calories even with sedentary exercise. Some suggestions are:
Taking the stairs instead of the lift, or walk up the escalator
Jumping off the bus a few stops before your destination
Doing some squats or lunges in front of the television
Tensing your bum muscles while sitting at your desk.
Make sure you pay attention to the small details. A week of strict diet and exercise can go completely unnoticed if someone points out your prickly legs and flaky nail polish!
Wax your legs a couple of days before hitting the beach, or if you prefer, stay with shaving. Use a soothing lotion afterward to avoid red, goose-pimply skin.
Exfoliate your body thoroughly using a loofah to get rid of dead skin cells and brighten the appearance of your skin. This will also help prevent in-grown hairs.
Don’t rely on cooking yourself in the sun to get a tan – there are plenty of quality fake tans available that will have you looking sun-kissed after a simple application. The tinted moisturisers such as Garnier Summerbody Moisturising Lotion are the best option, allowing you to build up colour with each application – don’t reapply more than once a day and if you’re pale skinned don’t go for the ‘dark’ or ‘deep’ shades!
You don’t need to get a professional pedicure to fix-up your feet, but don’t think no-one will notice if you fail to give them a bit of TLC before hitting the beach.
Pay attention to unsightly dry skin, especially on your heels which can easily be removed with an emery board or pumice stone and don’t forget give your toes a fresh polish, making sure you seal the colour with a shiny top coat. Bright colours set-off a golden glow beautifully!
Skin and body care are just as important while at the beach as at home. Protect yourself with sunscreen (at least SPF 30) before you go, and make you have the bottle handy to reapply throughout the day. The aim is to get that sun-kissed golden glow, not skin damage!
Avoid wearing full make-up to the beach – it will most likely come off in the surf anyway, and could result in a blotchy face tan! Minimise your make-up, but maximise the natural beach beauty-look by simply donning some waterproof mascara and protective lip balm.
