Body & beauty

24 hours to beach beautiful

If you haven’t got weeks to spend honing and toning yourself for beach perfection, try our last minute 6-step plan for instant results instead!

Step 1: Banish cellulite

Improving circulation can help reduce the appearance of dimples. Emma Weedall from Amarya (amarya.co.uk) saysbody brushing can show dramatic results. “Dry body brushing is great for stimulating the blood circulation and encouraging your body to get rid of toxins. Dry body brushing should always be done before showering so you can wash off any impurities afterwards,” she explains. “Use long, sweeping strokes and light pressure. Start with your feet, using firm strokes on the soles, before switching to light strokes from the ankle to the knees,” she adds. “Then work from the knee to the buttocks. Once both legs are done, switch to the upper body starting with the hands up to the elbows then onwards to the shoulders,” she continues. “Follow with your back,starting at the base and working upwards. Next sweep over the sides of the body and the stomach, working towards the heart. Finish with the neck down to the chest.”

Step 2: Fake it

Applying a fake tan is a must before you hit the beach as it will make your body look healthy and instantly boost your confidence. Pat Hume, founde rof Pravera natural skincare (pravera.co.uk) shows us how:

Before applying fake tan it is important to exfoliate your skin to ensure you achieve an even look. Once your skin is dry, apply a little body lotion to your elbows, knees, heels and ankles to help prevent these areas from developing a darker tan than the rest of your skin.

Generously apply the self tan like you would a body lotion, starting with yourtoes and moving up the body, using upward strokes and at the same timemassaging the self tan into your skin. Make sure you don’t miss any parts ofyour body, particularly the sides, as this is a commonly missed area.

Wait for approximately 10 minutes for the self tan to absorb into your skin,before getting dressed.

Self tan usually takes four to six hours for the colour to develop. Apply it before going to bed, so you will wake up in the morning with a gorgeous, even tan. If it isn’t as dark as you’d like you can always apply another layer before heading out.

Step 3: Hair today

“It’s important to get the basics right when it comes to summer hair,” says top holistichair dresser Daniel Galvin Jnr (dgjorganics.com). “If you are going for a boho wavey look, wash your hair in the evening and keep it plaited. In the morning, once the plaits are dry, undo them and use a little Kérastase Oleo-CurlD’Huile, £15.10, which deeply nourishes dry, rebellious hair while enhancing a natural wave,” he adds. “If you want to look sleek and chic, a very on-trend slicked ponytail works well. Apply a good leave-in conditioner before going out in the sun and comb through the lengths and ends, paying attention to the crown as this is where the sun hits the most,” he says. “On return from the beach, I would strongly recommend a natural beauty boosting detox treatment that should include argan oil, vitaminC and keratin. The argan oil nourishes, the vitamin C will brighten and keratin strengthens the hair.

Step 4: How To Beat The Bloat

It’s amazing how quickly you can slim a bloated stomach if you watch what you eat the day before you hit the beach. Cut out gassy foods such as refined carbohydrates and hard-to-digest foods such as beans,onions, artichokes, pears, and wheat. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and eat lightly. This power smoothie is easy for your body to digest and will keep cravings at bay,plus it’s alkalising so will keep your energy levels soaring:

1 ripe mango, diced
2 handfuls baby spinach leaves
300ml of coconut watern½ fresh pineapple, cut into chunks
1 scoop cold milled hemp protein
Pinch of ground cinnamo
Simply place all the ingredients in a blenderand process until smooth and creamy

For more information visit ukjuicers.com

Step 5: Feel Good

What’s the secret to looking truly amazing on the beach? Inner confidence of course! Psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos shares her tips on how to ooze self-assurance when relaxing in the sun:

Be aware of yourself. Make eye contact with people and smile.
Wear something you feel comfortable in like a single colour. Don’t be tricked into following fashion trends that may not suit you. Always opt for swimwear that compliments your body.
Don’t hide your body but accentuate your best features whether itbe legs, bum or breasts. Celebrities like Beyonce and Kim Kardashian always emphasise their best body parts so make sure you follow suit.
Walk tall with your shoulders back and head your head up. Not only will this lengthen your body but also it gives you a nice rhythm for your mind to tune into. You actually draw more attention when you are slouching as it indicates something is wrong and you are uncomfortable in your skin.
Enjoy yourself! You’re on the beach in the sun and by the water so focus on the notion of how good it feels to be there.
Regain a sense of entitlement over how you feel and how you look. Celebrate your beauty as summer is the time we feel most naked so it’s important to make sure you feel good.

Step 6: Treatments to try!

Even though time has run out for diet and exercise regimes all is not lost! These quick-fix treatments will get you instant results:

GLACIAL SHELLS DETOX MASSAGE

The combination of hot and cold pressure from the shells on sensory points in the stomach and legs aids the breakdown of fatty tissues, stimulates a sluggish circulation and improves the look of cellulite.

Prices start from £55. For more information visit sharedbeautysecrets.com

UNIVERSALCONTOUR WRAP

Shift weight in minutes with this wrap that gently removes toxins and compacts fatty tissue. You are actually guaranteed to lose inches and the sea clay used leaves your skin soft and feeling supple.

Prices start from £70. To find your nearest salon visit universalcontourwrap.com

CITRUS BOOST BODY POLISH

With vitamin C, green tea and rosehip oil, this protective treatment stimulates collagen production, renews skin firmness and provides pronounced healing and regenerative benefits.

Price £90.For more information visit sandersonlondon.com