It's sundress season (almost bikini season... eek!), which means it's time to shed your tights and show off your legs! While I can't wait I also have some work to do and have a feeling you may too. My biggest problem is that I'm so pale I'm practically see through! Then, of course there's always spider veins, scars and whatever else we'd like to rid (do I need to mention cellulite?). So here you have it, five steps to air-brush quality stems.
1. Rid Dead Skin
While it may seem obvious to exfoliate, if you don't do it right, the whole step is pointless. "To get the most out of the process, go up and down your leg in two sections, from your hip to your knee and then your knee to your ankle, in circular motions," Jamie Ahn, the President of the Town House Spa explains. The Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish is one of my all time favorite exfoliants.
2. Remove Unwanted Hair
I've tried several hair removal tactics, but usually shave. To get the closest shave, the best time to shave your legs is at the end of your shower when your skin is softened and hair follicles are relaxed. A good shaving cream and razor make all the difference. Invest in a razor that pivots with the contours of your body. I like the Schick Hydro Silk, because it has four blades and releases a moisturizing serum when it gets wet. For shaving cream, EOS Ultra Moisturizing Shaving Cream is my go-to. It stays put and feels more like I'm lathering up in moisturizer than applying shaving gel.
3. Banish Cellulite
“The key to ridding cellulite is all in circulation,” spilled Ahn. Your butt, and thighs normally receive no circulation on their own so you have to work them yourself. Do squats and lunges to get the blood flowing in that area and massage it in a circular motion. You’ll see in a short period of time that the cellulite is not as noticeable. You can also try using a product like L'Occitane Almond Beautiful Shape that stimulates micro-exfoliation, has draining ingredients as well as caffeine, which helps to decrease the appearance of cellulite over time.
4. Achieve A Golden Glow
After exfoliating and removing all unwanted hair it's time to self tan. First apply a thin coat of moisturizer around your toes and any dry areas that may pick up too much color. For the perfect self tan you're going to need two types of tanner: a mousse and a spray. If you only want to use one opt for the mousse, but be careful around you knees and ankles. Apply the mousse like a body lotion up and down your legs skipping your knees and ankles, then spritz your knees and ankles with the can. Since those areas tend to be drier, then pick up more pigment and spray applicators distribute a bit lighter. I've been using the St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse and Guerlain Terracotta Self Tanning Spray. (I also think they're both great for the whole body depending on your self-tan style).
5. Cover Spider Veins and Bruises
While you can't make them vanish in a flash, you can cover them up for a night out, but the concealor you use on your face won't cut it. Try body makeup that's known for covering tattoos like DermaBlend Leg & Body Cover or Cover Fx Camouflage Concealor. I've tried both on my legs and on the tattoo on my wrist for filming certain segments and they work like a charm. Pick a color that matches your skin tone and then set it with a powder. The formulas last for hours and don't rub off on clothes as long as you don't put too much on. A little bit goes a long way.
Summer may be over, but your tan doesn’t have to leave with it. I got a few easy tips from Cindy Barshop, owner of Completely Bare Salons, on how to get a great DIY spray tan.
First of all, the Completely Bare spray tan is no joke. Not only have they mastered the spray tan, but you can even get a "sculpted tan," which can hide any imperfection you may have, or “sculpt” thinner thighs or abs. What girl wouldn’t want that? For at-home, I recommend trying to get an even, all around glow. Leave the sculpting to the pros!
