Summer Beauty Survival Guide

Staying cool but looking hot is the name of the game this summer. But, how do you pull this off? Here are some suggestions to at least make you look cool! But with a few refinements to your beauty routine, you can have gorgeous skin and hair throughout the months ahead.

1. Get Glowing - Exfoliate

Our bodies slow in the winter--just as bears hibernate--and the exfoliation process is no exception. We need to slough off the ugly, dying ceils to reveal younger, plumper cells. This simple process can take years off our appearance in a matter of minutes. Skin is smoother, more vibrant," she says. When exfoliating, the key is to remove the dead skin cells but leave healthy ones intact. Look for exfoliants that contain gentle ingredients, such as a scrub with sugar or salt. Try the Absolutely Gorgeous Island Kiss Brown Sugar Scrub $19.95 - 250g

2. Lighten Up

Set aside heavy-duty skin creams, and stock up on lightweight products for the summer. Heavy moisturizers aren't necessary during the summer months because our skin isn't exposed to tire harsh environment of winter. Try Wild Hydrating Day Cream $15.95 100ml

3. Barely There Make up

Summer makeup is minimal. You should be able to see your features at their best. We shouldn't see your makeup. Use a light-weight, sheer liquid foundation of tinted moisturiser. Eyes – stick to earthy, bronze, coral shades.

Instead of a heavy lipstick, opt for a lip gloss with a smidgen of colour. Try Sante Natural Lip Gloss in Natural Brown $25.95

4. Summer Detox

Nourish hair, skin and nails front the inside out with healthy eating and lifestyle. Avoid sugary foods, complex carbohydrates ie cakes, biscuits, bread, avoid yeast, alcohol, chocolates, foods that are high in fat and foods that contain artificial colouring or preservatives. Instead opt for raw fruits and vegetables, protein, nuts, legumes, brown rice, herbal teas and above all plenty of water. Try Clipper De-tox Tea - $7.95

5. Safely Sun-Kissed

Worried about the potential health hazards associated with sunbathing but want a bit of colour? Try the new breed of sunless tanning creams that actually produces an authentic-looking tan. Opt for a natural sunless tanning product that is enriched with botanicals and vitamins that leave skin soft and supple. Try Sante Natural Self Tan - $34.95 - 75ml

6. Save Your Skin – use a sunscreen

If you spend lots of time outside, be sure to use sunscreen with minimum SPF 30. The cancer-preventing benefits are obvious, but protection is also a must for those of us who don't want to look old before our time.

Make sure that you are adequately hydrated - at least 8 glasses of water a day and even more when you are outside. If you do burn, apply Aloe Vera or lotions containing it. This will cool and soothe your skin and help you to heal faster.

7. Treat Your Tresses Right

Chlorine, wind and sun are all hard on our hair during the summer. Protecting yours with shampoos and conditioners that offer moisturizing and soothing benefits--as well as protection against the weather--is especially important this time of year. Also, during the summer months, consider a leave-in hair conditioner. Try Alchemy Avocado & Calendula Conditioner - 225ml $12.95

8. Unmask Beautiful Skin

There is perhaps nothing more effective than a mask to reveal beautiful skin and stimulate cell renewal. Masks help to detoxify the skin and are usually gentle exfoliants as well. These are great to help remove debris and toxins. They also encourage the shedding of old dead skin cells for a younger, smoother look. Try La Clinica Gly C Mini Peel Facial Mask - $44.95 - 100ml