If there’s one thing women have come to understand through their years of beauty trials and tribulations, it’s that you only look as great as you feel. To exude confidence is key to presenting the best possible version of yourself. Come summer, you want to embrace that confidence on an even greater scale, with a specific focus on your body.
For some, that might mean squeezing in more trips to the gym. For others, it’s prime time to work on that tan (or faux tan). There are no rights or wrongs, but there are plenty of ways to increase your body confidence and feel more fabulous than ever. After all, what’s beneath those stylish clothes makes a big difference.
Sunscreen is King
Is there any greater confidence booster than making intelligent decisions for the sake of your health? If you do nothing else, make sunscreen application a priority. Though year-round use is ideal, you simply must slather it on when you’re spending time outdoors during summer. Opt for a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ product that combats harmful UVA and UVB rays, like La Roche-Posay Anthelios 40 ($35.99). Exposure to both types of rays may contribute to sunburns, skin cancer, premature signs of aging and other forms of skin damage, so consider sunscreen the ultimate safeguard for your body’s well being. Be sure to reapply every two hours, since sunscreen’s efficacy dilutes over time.
Embrace Comfort
Uncomfortable underwear? No, thanks! Take comfort in a pair of amazingly soft Fruit of the Loom cotton panties ($11.99). Revamped to reflect the modern woman’s active lifestyle, they’re designed with covered elastic at the thighs — which means no more pinching or chafing, two issues especially common during summer. And with a ravel-resistant waistband and a whole slew of styles available, you’ll find countless reasons to make these your panties of choice this season and beyond. With every move you make, you’ll feel phenomenal.
The Skin You’re In
We all know the old adage about loving the skin you’re in — and it definitely makes sense. Since rough, scaly, itchy or dull skin isn’t the goal, nip your concerns in the bud with a focused regimen. Begin by sloughing off dead skin cells with a gentle, yet effective body scrub. Look for a scrub that contains skin-loving oils, such as sweet almond, coconut or jojoba, to leave your body moisturized post-exfoliation. After you rinse off, dab — don’t rub! — your skin dry and apply a lotion that meets your skin’s unique needs. Extra dry? Opt for a hyper-moisturizing cream. Try a firming cream if you’re concerned about sagging skin. Or keep it simple with a lightweight, no-frills lotion that treats your skin with the TLC it deserves.
Get Glowing
Nothing says “summer” like a sexy tan, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should bake under the sun for hours on end. While it may feel good, the potential long-term effects — from skin cancer to accelerated signs of aging — are too alarming to ignore. And these days, the shelves are rife with products that make it exceedingly easy to achieve a beach-worthy glow. Develop your color over time with a product like St. Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday ($30), or fake a deep, intense glow with a streak-free product like L’Oreal Sublime Bronze ($10.99). There are plenty of options available that are safe and skin-friendly. In other words, there’s no reason you can’t look like you’ve just spent a week in Bermuda.
When you look good, you feel good — and that translates to a brighter you with endless confidence. Trust us: There’s nothing more beautiful.
sponsored by Fruit of the Loom
