How to Prep Skin For Bikini Season
Your Ultimate Countdown to Swimsuit-Ready Skin — Just in Time For Memorial Day
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Long, sun-drenched days are on the horizon, which means one thing: it's time to head straight for the nearest body of water, stat. Got your pool float ready? Good. How about your new favourite swimsuit? Perfect. All that's left is prepping your skin from head to toe.
Whether you've RSVP'd to a Memorial Day weekend pool party or woke up one morning with a spontaneous desire to play the role of bona fide beach bum for the day, we've got your ultimate how-to guide for scoring swimsuit-ready skin. From tackling tanning on a tight schedule to expert exfoliation advice, we've mapped out solutions, no matter what sort of time frame you're working with, so fear not, day-of planners. Ahead, we've broken down tips and product recommendations for achieving swimsuit-ready skin, whether you're prepping a month, a week, or a day in advance. And, of course, don't forget the sunscreen.
1 The Goal: Tanning — in a Week
T-minus seven days until your swimsuit debut? Consider a spray tan. You'll want to be sure to exfoliate a few days prior to slough off any dead skin cells that can cause patchy, uneven tanning. Be prepared — you'll look extra tan immediately after, but that's no cause for alarm. The tanning solution will develop over the course of about eight hours, at which point, it will appear much lighter. On that note, give your tan six to eight hours to set before showering.
2 The Goal: Tanning — in a Day
Instant formulas are your best friend in this case. We love Lancome Flash Bronzer Tinted Self-Tanning Gel With Pure Vitamin E ($42). Featuring a blend of caramel extract and reflective micro-pearls, this nongreasy tanning gel delivers even, natural-looking colour in as little as 30 minutes. Bonus: it's also formulated with antioxidant-rich vitamin E.
3 The Goal: Hair Removal — in a Week
Opt for sugaring a week before your swimsuit debut. A more gentle alternative to hard wax, the sugar formula generally consists of, yes, sugar mixed with lemon and hot water. It's a must if you're looking for an all-natural solution to hair removal.
4 The Goal: Hair Removal — in a Day
If you've got a day to get hairless, an at-home wax kit like Sally Hansen Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit For Body ($8) makes the DIY approach a whole lot more manageable. It includes precut strips made for specific parts of the body (bikini line, underarms, etc.) and even comes with soothing azulene oil to calm skin postwax.
5 The Goal: Firm Skin — in a Month
Switch up your moisturiser for a formula that does double-duty by hydrating skin while improving resilience and elasticity. A firming moisturiser like Strivectin Tightening Body Cream ($59) leverages an exclusive blend of caffeine, peptides, and patented NIA-114 technology to visibly tone skin over the course of several weeks.
6 The Goal: Firm Skin — in a Week
With a week to go, opt for a moisturising formula that is truly packed with caffeine, which will help stimulate circulation and dehydrate fat cells, resulting in smoother, tighter skin from head to toe. Bliss Fabgirl Firm Body Firming & Contouring Cream ($20) is powered by caffeine as well as nourishing botanical extracts to tone and firm.
7 The Goal: Firm Skin — in a Day
Strategic use of highlighter can help give the appearance of skin that's more toned than it truly is. If you don't believe us, then take Charlotte Tilbury's word — her aptly named Supermodel Body Slimmer Shimmer ($65) is formulated with a highlighting blend that imparts a luminous glow and more sculpted appearance to skin.
8 The Goal: Smooth Skin— in a Month
Begin to incorporate body brushing into your routine; the Mio Body Brush ($20) is a favourite. Body brushing not only helps smooth away dry, flaky skin, but it is also effective for lymphatic drainage and helps eliminate toxins and minimize bloating. For best results, use for three minutes three times a week.
9 The Goal: Smooth Skin — in a Week
If you only have a week to rid yourself of rough skin, reach for a targeted body wash treatment like Mario Badescu A.H.A Botanical Body Soap ($8). This purifying body wash is formulated with papaya and grapefruit extracts to break down dead skin cells, revealing suppler skin.
10 The Goal: Smooth Skin — in a Day
Down to a mere 24 hours to soften skin? A body scrub is your saving grace. Try to choose a more natural formula that's also packed with moisturising agents, like Herbivore Coco Rose Coconut Oil Body Polish ($36), which contains virgin coconut oil to hydrate skin.
11 The Goal: Fabulous Feet — in a Month
Be diligent about tending to your feet the way you would any other part of your body. Incorporate a foot scrub into your shower routine, and each night, apply a thin layer of Vaseline (especially to your heels, which are most prone to rough, calloused skin), then slip on a pair of cosy socks to show your feet some love.
12 The Goal: Fabulous Feet — in a Week
Two words: Foot. Mask. Yes, these are a thing. These potent masks, like Tonymoly Foot Peeling Shoes ($7), are formulated to target keratin buildup and reveal soft feet in just a week.
13 The Goal: Fabulous Feet — in a Day
Pamper your feet with an ultranourishing cream, like This Works Perfect Heels Rescue Balm ($29). Look for restorative extracts, like cotton thistle, which strengthens skin's moisture barrier, as well as powerfully moisturising ingredients like shea butter.
