The Best (and Easiest!) Ways to Get Summer Ready Right at Home
The Best (and Easiest!) Ways to Get Summer Ready Right at Home
To Get a Faux Glow...
First, exfoliate dead skin with an oil-free salt scrub to help the tanner absorb evenly, says celebrity spray tan artist Kristyn Pradas. Avoid using lotion, except for on dry spots like elbows, knees and feet.
Then try a mousse, because they tend to be the most foolproof — especially when applied with a tanning mitt. Work in an upward motion for a streak-free finish, she says.
Top it off with a hydrating oil with a bit of shimmer for a sunkissed effect. Moisturizing daily will prolong the lifespan of your tan.
Buy It! Australian Glow One Hour Express Self Tan Mousse in Dark, $25; ulta.com
PradasGlow Skin Glaze, $25; pradasglow.com
To Remove Hair Anywhere...
Try cold soft-wax strips. Make sure hair is no more than 1?4-in. long, says Jessica Carless, scientist at hair-removal brand Joy + Glee. Press the strip down in the direction that the hair grows, then use one hand to hold the skin taut at the top of the strip, and the other to pull the strip off in the opposite direction. You can also find specific strips made for your face or bikini line.
Buy It! Glee the Body Wax, $8.97; walmart.com
To Brighten Your Smile...
If you want whiter teeth for all those summer selfies, cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Apa recommends a whitening kit formulated with carbamide peroxide (which can be less irritating than hydrogen peroxide) to remove stains. He also suggests strips instead of trays for the most precise placement.
Buy It! Apa Beauty Apa White Duo, $150 (for five treatments); revolve.com
To Perk Up Your Skin...
First: always cleanse and exfoliate. Wash your face, then give it a good steam to help products penetrate better, says celebrity esthetician Shani Darden. (she loves the Vanity Planet Aira Facial Steamer, $95.99.) Next, apply a chemical peel to remove dull, flaky skin to revive your complexion.
Buy It! Shani Darden Cleansing Serum, $38; sephora.com
Dr. Dennis Gross Universal Daily Peel, $88 (for 30); sephora.com
To Perk Up Your Skin...
Next, Darden recommends hydrating and soothing the skin with a DIY face mask. Combine 1?2 tablespoon of honey (a natural humectant), one tablespoon of Greek yogurt (for gentle exfoliation) and one frothed egg white (to detox pores). Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse.
To Perk Up Your Skin...
It's imperative to always finish your routine with protection, Darden says. Top off your skincare with an antioxidant serum to defend against environmental stressors, which can speed up the aging process. And of course, don't forget to apply a lightweight, broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Buy It! Honest Beauty Vitamin C Radiance Serum, $27.99; honest.com
Supergoop Mineral Sheerscreen SPF 30, $38; sephora.com
To Stop Body Breakouts...
Acne can pop up on your chest, back and beyond when it's hot outside, thanks to increased oil production and sweat, says dermatologist Dr. Yoon-Soo Cindy Bae of the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York. What helps: a bodywash with pore-clearing salicylic acid.
Buy It! Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash Pink Grapefruit, $9.99; ulta.com
To Smooth Rough Spots All Over...
Get rid of those harmless but oh-so-annoying red bumps (known as keratosis pilaris) on your upper arms and thighs with an exfoliating moisturizer, says Dr. Bae. This formula, which contains lactic acid, is one of our favorites.
Buy It! AmLactin Daily, $12.99; target.com
To Rejuvenate Your Feet...
Get them flip-flop ready in three steps, says Tran Wills, founder of Base Coat nail salons. First, soften skin with a pink Himalayan or Epsom salt soak. Next, massage a gritty scrub into feet, paying extra attention to calloused areas. Rinse, dry and apply a cream mixed with a few drops of oil, then slip on a pair of socks to lock in all that hydration. Pro tip: Apply your moisturizer with a gua sha tool to boost circulation!
Buy It! Base Coat Revitalize Salt Soak, $24; nordstrom.com
Mei Apothecary Jade Gua Sha Facial Massage Beauty Tool, $12.99; target.com
No appointment? No problem. We've rounded up the simplest and most effective ways to get ready at home for the warm weather