Sexy Summer Legs!

As I write this, I’ve just gotten home from the gym and chugged a smoothie the color of seaweed, all in the name of preparing for bikini season.  It’s one of my favorite rituals, a spring cleaning of sorts, and nothing is more inspirational (and completely unrealistic) than the bathing suit catalogues that arrive in the mail.  Y’all know what I’m talking about!

Since we don’t get to catwalk around through the lens of a professional camera, strategic poses, and extreme computer photoshopping, a couple of tricks can help us have just a little more confidence when clothing gets scarce.

Exercise

THE exercise for fast results and definition?  Calf raises!  Stand on your tip toes and raise and lower your feet.  I like to do this while I’m brushing my teeth, because let’s face it – multitasking is the only way anything gets done in my world!

Exfoliation

This is the most important step to enhancing the appearance of your legs.  I use exfoliating gloves with a ping pong size glob of St. Ives Apricot Scrub to slough that dead skin off.  Once in a while when I’m feeling creative, I’ll make my own scrub.  The caffeine in coffee is an awesome temporary cellulite smoother, so I will mix coffee grounds, sugar, and coconut oil to not only exfoliate, but smooth and moisturize at the same time.  (Unfortunately there is no proven cure for cellulite, but please know that EVERYONE has it, even supermodels!)  Cell turnover slows as we age, so the older we get, the more important exfoliation becomes.  One important note:  exfoliate before shaving!  You’ll get the closest shave ever!

Tanning

We are definitely not proponents of tanning beds, but there is an alternative that actually looks fabulous – Fake Bake.  Apply with the mitt to protect your palms, and smooth in after exfoliating and shaving for the longest lasting results.  This color is the prettiest and most natural that I’ve found, and the ease of application is almost too good to be true!  Don’t be in a hurry to get dressed, and to get the darkest color, apply without moisturizer.  (A self-tanner is THE best way to disguise stretch marks!)

Moisturizing

I’ve always loved St. Ives moisturizers, and the brand has different levels to suit your personal skin type.  I always want the heaviest moisturizer for my legs, so I use the 24 HR Deep Restoring kind.  I use it every night, but on my self-tanning nights, I skip the lotion.  When they are feeling extra dry, I will apply pure coconut oil, which gives them a gorgeous shine without the greasy feeling of olive or grapeseed oil.  That little bit of sheen from coconut oil also helps visually elongate your legs during the daytime, so it’s your best friend when you are wearing something short.  (Dollface LOVES coconut oil, by the way – search it on the right to find some of our favorite ways to use it!)

Makeup

Yep, makeup for your legs is absolutely acceptable.  Between spider veins and stretch marks, Temptu Body Camo is my thighs’ biggest ally.  It is water resistant and will last for around two days because of its silicone based formulation.  Can you say perfect for vacation!?  To add a quick tan, don’t be afraid to apply some bronzer.  The same kind you use on your face is fine.  My favorite is The Balm Betty-Lou Manizer – gorgeous color and shimmer perfect for a sunkissed glow.  And if you have just a minute more, apply a highlight in a line down the center of your legs (try The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer).  This creates mile-long gams with a glow that won’t risk any oil on your clothes.

So now that your legs are the envy of everyone at the beach, feel free to strut your stuff.  After all, confidence is the best beauty trick!

XOXO,

Jess