How to Get Sultry Summer Skin
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By Liz Hambleton for The EDIT
A day on the beach brings a certain sumptuousness to the skin: it is richer in tone, smoother in feel and glowing with radiance. And the balmy evenings that follow are the perfect time to amplify the allure of those less obvious assets. “Think about the dip of the throat, the curve of the shoulder and the arc of the back,” says makeup artist and Prtty Peaushun founder Bethany Karlyn. “The beauty lies in the subtlety.” Here’s how to get ready for summer’s big reveal…
Nape Of The Neck
“This is one of the most alluring parts of the body, yet it’s rarely seen,” says makeup artist Wendy Rowe. “I’ve found myself playing up the area on shoots, as editors increasingly request models have swept-back up-dos.”
Rowe recommends applying Burberry Beauty Gold Glow Fragranced Luminising Powder from the bottom of the hairline to just below the base of the neck. “If a little gets in your hair, don’t worry,” says Rowe. “It will add to the sun-kissed effect.” She also applies fragrance to the nape. “The spicy aroma of Byredo Gypsy Water sizzles when I dab it here.”
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Backs Of The Knees
You may not consider the back of your knees as an area to beautify, but when it comes to fragrance on warm evenings, no one part of the body is more ripe for scent. “Summer taps into our body’s inner yang,” says aromatherapist Annee de Mamiel, founder of De Mamiel. “The warmth of the sun brings areas such as the back of the knees into full blossom, making them the most potent place to wear essential oils.” A touch of soothing jasmine or heady rose applied to the area will radiate scent for the entire evening. “The more you move, the more the scent travels, and the nourishing nature of the oils leaves skin conditioned,” says de Mamiel.
Small Of The Back
Vacation outfits, such as low-slung palazzo pants or a backless dress, offer a rare opportunity to show off the small of your back. “I call the skin here ‘virgin skin’,” says facialist Teresa Tarmey. “It’s calling out to be accented in some way but can often require a little hair removal before it’s exposed.”
She recommends laser hair removal sessions for very dark hair, which also smoothes skin. For at-home skin smoothing, try a salt scrub. “I’ve just come back from Tel Aviv and am obsessed with the power of Dead Sea salts,” says Tarmey. “Mix it with moisturizer and use it as a body scrub in the shower to leave the small of your back silky smooth.” Finish with a little Omorovicza Gold Shimmer Oil for a beautiful sheen.
Curve Of The Shoulder
“The allure of a pampered shoulder is beyond doubt,” says Bethany Karlyn. “Dewy, luminous skin is the embodiment of youth, but you must first nourish and repair the drying effects of the sun. I always advise applying an SPF in the early evening, before smoothing Prtty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion onto the curves of the shoulder and down the arm.” Leaving a lustrous sheen and soft-focus finish, Prtty Peaushun helps blur the effects of sun damage.
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The Décolletage
If you’ve neglected the décolletage in your daily skincare regime, it will show come summer. Cosmetic surgeon Dr Michael Prager has perfected a series of rejuvenating treatments for this problem. “I find a mix of tightening procedures and Intense Pulse Light (IPL) to target pigmentation and boost collagen is the most effective,” says Prager. “If skin lacks plumpness, peels, skin rolling and mesotherapy [a non-surgical cosmetic treatment] can bring that lost ‘spring’ back.”
If it’s just a matter of boosting your summer glow, makeup artist Gucci Westman recommends mixing an oil like Rahua Body Amazon Oil with Revlon Photo Ready Skinlights Face Illuminator.
Length Of The Leg
Relaxed summer evenings mean heels are often abandoned for flat sandals, so tone up to create shape and definition in your calves beforehand. “The key is doing straight-leg calf raises and bent-leg calf raises, standing half on, half off a step,” says A-list trainer Dalton Wong. “And if puffy legs are an issue after travel, a lymphatic drainage massage is essential.”
If all else fails, sculpt your legs with Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster For Body. Mixed with your usual body lotion, it allows you to custom-blend your color.
