Here’s How I Prep For My Own Hot Girl Summer
Hot girl summer - let it mean whatever you want it to. For me, it's about being the most confident possible. Frankly, nothing boosts my confidence more than skincare - and flawless skin.
June 20th officially marks the “First Day of Summer” in the US and with that in mind, there's no better time to start getting your skin looking its best for all those cute tank tops, floral swimsuits, and breezy sundresses.
From back and booty acne to rough patches and redness, here's how to tweak your skincare routine for a truly hot girl summer.
SUMMER SKIN PREP TIPS
Start Exfoliating
The sooner you add exfoliation into your skincare routine, the better. Besides delivering smooth skin, exfoliants help treat body blemishes - like back and butt acne - and keep the skin oil-free.
Exfoliation is the best way to prevent dead skin cells from clogging the pores, which lead to body breakouts. By avoiding that buildup, you're allowing the skin to breathe, preventing pores from becoming clogged and pimples from appearing.
For best results, exfoliate twice a week using Truly's Buns of Glowry Butt Polish followed by our Butt Serum. These products contain watermelon, vitamin E, wheat protein, and other antioxidants to provide hydrated, glowing skin for your booty.
As for the breakouts on your back, scrub them away with Truly's 24k Black Body Scrub that draws out impurities, tackles oily skin, and hydrates all at the same time.
You can also use exfoliation to slough away dryness and rough patches.
"One of the most effective ways to exfoliate during the summer is to use a scrub on dry skin before you shower," says dermatologist Jeannette Graf. "Pay special attention to knees and elbows. Finish with a rich body cream or oil within three minutes of toweling off."
Prevent and Soothe Redness
The best way to prevent your skin from turning lobster-shade is wearing plenty of sunscreen. Using daily sun protection will help shield your skin from harmful UV rays that cause premature aging in the skin.
Opt for a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 for optimum protection. Besides providing anti-aging benefits, SPF also doubles up as a moisturizer, offering hydration to dry skin.
If your skin's already red from too much sun exposure, make sure you replenish moisture with a hydrating moisturizer or lotion.
"Moisturizers reestablish the stratum corneum, your outermost layer of the skin, which protects from harmful pollutants and chemicals and prevents further irritation or dryness," says Ariel Ostad a dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in New York City.
Truly's Cream Skin Face Cream blends hyaluronic acid with sea kelp to moisturize, soothe, and repair your skin. I highly recommend adding it into your daily beauty routine.
Nail Your Shaving Technique
If you're seeking ultra-smooth, soft legs this summer, it's time to perfect your shaving skills. And we all know a good shave starts with using a nice, hydrating shaving cream or butter. That's because cream provides a nice slip for the razor to glide easily, preventing irritation, redness, and razor burn.
Avoid shaving with anything too thick like a lotion or conditioner, as they will get stuck in your razor and may increase your chances of experiencing irritation if the blades aren't cleaned. On the other hand, using anything too thin will not lubricate your razor enough - another recipe for nicks and cuts.
Truly's Coco Cloud Luxury Shave Butter is loaded with coconut milk, argan oil, and vitamin E to soften, hydrate, and prep the skin for a silky smooth shave.
Don't Forget Your Lips
Dehydration is a common contributor of dry lips. In the summer, especially when you sweat a lot, you're more prone to dehydration. And the result? Dry, parched lips.
In addition to keeping a bottle of water with you at all times, use a hydrating lip balm or oil to keep your pout soft, smooth, and juicy. Just like the rest of your skin, your lips need adequate care and attention to stay looking and feeling gorgeous.
Try Truly's Pineapple Haze CBD Glossy Lip Balm to zap away chapness. The formula contains jojoba oil, hemp, vitamin E, and pineapple to add shine and lock in moisture all day long. For best results, use daily. Make sure you reapply if retouches are needed to maintain luscious lips.
Get a Golden Glow
We all want to step into summer looking nicely toned and bronzed. Luckily, you don't need to spend hours (and hundreds of dollars!) at the solarium to achieve that summer glow. You can get the same effect from using self-tanner - without the skin-damaging side effects.
The active ingredient in tanning skincare products is dihydroxyacetone. Otherwise known as DHA, this simple carbohydrate reacts with the top layer of your skin to generate pigments called melanoidins. These appear brown due to their ability to absorb wavelengths of light.
With regular use of self-tanning products, you can keep your skin bronzed and glowing every day of the year. Just make sure you pick a high-quality product that contains healthy ingredients to keep your skin in tip-top shape.
Apply Self-Acceptance Mantras to Your Skincare Routine
A positive mindset is the foundation for creating confidence. The easiest way to adopt a positive mindset is to make it part of your daily routine. When you apply your skincare products in the morning or evenings, use a daily mantra to help build physical confidence.
Sciences proves it really works!
Mantras to try include "I love and accept by body as it is," and "My skin is beautiful and I love it exactly the way it is." You can be as creative as you like - just stick to being positive.
Implementing these mantras into your daily beauty routine can uplift your day while boosting energy levels and making you feel awesome.
This hot girl summer, focus on doing the things that make you feel incredible. It's gonna be a summer to remember, you guys!
