While there aren’t rules you need to follow to get ready for the summer season, there are a couple of things that might be worth considering before heading to the beach in order to guarantee that you’re in tip-top shape when it comes to hair and skin protection from the elements.
Other to-dos can be as simple as buying a new swimsuit that fits properly to more in-depth tasks like working on your confidence. When it comes to the latter, everyone is on their own journey, but we’re giving you all our tips and tricks on how to get to bikini season looking and feeling great in your own skin!
Prep Your Hair
When getting ready for summer, it’s important to make sure your hair is ready and protected from all the different abrasive elements it’ll come into contact with. We’ve compiled a list below of what you need to do to get ready for bikini season when it comes to your hair!
Get Your Chop Right
Before summer starts, go and get the perfect summer haircut! This will make sure that any damage your hair goes through isn’t being piled onto already damaged hair. When going for a summer cut, if you’re not sure what to go for, the best thing to ask for is a look that is easy and quick to style, so making sure that the shape is good is vital.
Don’t Forget the SPF
Keeping your scalp and hair protected from the sun is also super important. This will help you keep them healthy during the summer and in the long term. Make sure to apply products with SPF to protect your scalp from harsh sun rays.
When applying the product don't forget to also spread it along the part of your hair! Wrapping your hair in a scarf or wearing a hat (which is also recommended for protecting your skin) are also great ways to keep your hair hidden from the sun and its damage.
Make Your Mask Your BFF
A great thing to implement during summer is hair masks. These will help keep your hair protected from all the abrasive elements you come into contact with and nourished during the warmer months. Try adding your mask in at least one wash a week, depending on your hair type.
Apply as suggested on the instructions and then rinse it off at the end. After you've done this you can also add a leave-in conditioner to further protect your hair while you're out in the sun. There are plenty of different options when it comes to how light or thick these are, so it's best to find the one that is best suited for your hair type.
Protect Your Scalp
Always being out in the sun, sand, and waves can damage your hair and scalp. Arm yourself with nutritious hair products to avoid this from happening. Pick up a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner and use them on a more regular basis to condition and cleanse hair while also restoring the scalp's natural moisture balance.
Prep Your Skin
Making sure your skin is ready for summer is obviously also super important so you can avoid any mishaps in terms of sunburns or extra dry skin. Keep reading for a list that we’ve put together of what you need to do to get ready for bikini season when it comes to your skin!
Cleanse Morning and Night
During the warmer weather, the humidity might make your face appear greasier than normal. A great way to fight this is by adding a clay facial cleanser or micellar water that can help remove debris, oils, and pollutants from the surface of your skin morning and night. If you have the time, you can add classic lather and rinse cleanser into your daily routine.
If you're on the run, choose mattifying micellar water. Simply pour some onto a cotton pad and wipe it on your face — no rinsing required! Keep a bottle on your nightstand so you can cleanse quickly if you're short on time. If you believe you'll need to cleanse on the road, include one in your tote as well.
More Moisturizer Please
You may discover that throughout the cooler winter and spring months you need to apply a thicker cream to keep your skin hydrated. Once the weather gets warmer, though, a lighter face lotion should be all you need.
A good option to look for is a water-based moisturizer with a matte texture. Hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water are great ingredients to look for in the formulation since they assist in giving long-lasting hydration. After cleansing, softly smooth it over your face, before applying your sunscreen.
Of course, your face will generally be the most exposed part but it’s also important to moisturize the rest of your body! Make sure to pick up a body lotion that is light but serves up plenty of hydration.
It’s also good to have an after-sun lotion to apply once you’re done with your beach day. If you don’t want to carry your whole beauty closet along with you to the waterfront then look for a 2-in-1 product that hydrates and protects your skin post-sun tanning.
Take Sun Protection Measures
Sun protection is essential all year, but if it hasn't been on your mind, now is a good time to start given that you may be spending more time outside during the summer months. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and apply as advised on a frequent basis.
That's not all, though. Make sure to also wear a broad-brimmed sun hat and UV-blocking sunglasses in addition to applying broad-spectrum sunscreen every two hours (and right after swimming or sweating), and minimize your time in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Fake a Faux Glow With Self-Tanner
If you're not that much of a fan of the sun or just want to look a bit tan before arriving on your vacation you can always use a self-tanner to simulate a summer tan. Start by determining the level of coverage you desire in your self-tanner mix.
If you're traveling and want to gradually enhance your tan, you can also buy individually wrapped tanning wipes. These are super easy to throw in your suitcase and re-apply when needed. Before applying your tanner, make sure to cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize with an oil-free moisturizer to ensure a smooth application.
Find a Suit That Fits
Finding the perfect summer swimsuit can be quite the task but there are so many choices out there that some would say it's too many! Everything from different colors to styles and cuts are available now and they can make a difference since these details are what will depend on how a suit flatters your body type.
There are a hundred style guides out there that claim to know the ideal suit for your body type, but really the best way to find out is to try it on. Try on a variety of tops, such as halter, bandeau, triangle, tankini, and push-ups, and then match them with a variety of bottoms, such as low rise, high rise, boy short, Brazilian cut, or skirt, to see which flatters you most. Examine colors in relation to your skin tone. If you don't like yellow in a sweater, you won't like it in a swimsuit. If you want to wear a pattern, make sure it doesn't compete with the rest of your outfit.
Give Yourself a Confidence Boost
At the end of the day, the most important thing to sport when heading to the beach this summer is confidence. Feeling comfortable in your own skin is how you’ll look your best. Start off by looking at how you speak to yourself, and being nice to yourself. Take a look in the mirror and look at all your beautiful characteristics and attributes, instead of focusing on what you dislike.
Make sure you’re around people that make you feel good about yourself as well and that lift your spirits up. Remember that a swimsuit is just what you have to wear for a fun time at the beach and to refresh yourself in the water! It is in no way, shape, or form a scale for measuring your value or self-worth so leave all that aside and get ready to have the most fun!
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’re now armed with all the tips and tricks you need to roll up to the beach knowing you’re all taken care of! We’ve covered how to prepare your skin and hair, the importance of a swimsuit that sits right, and have given some pointers on how to boost your confidence. If you take all of these in and add them to your routine you’ll be the one being asked for advice in no time!
Sources:
Best Ways to Protect Your Hair From Sun Damage | Cleveland Clinic
Top 10 Ways to Protect Yourself from the Sun | HealthyWomen
5 Top Tips for Feeling Confident at the Beach | Bodyline Clinic