How to Get Sexy Skin in Time for Valentine's Day

Photo Olivia Graham

February is a big month for me. First off, it’s my birthday month, and by month, I mean I like to celebrate for the entire month. February also includes one of my favorite holidays: Valentines’ day. I love everything about Valentine’s day—red is one of my favorite colors, hearts, chocolate, LOVE, and lingerie.

Speaking of lingerie brings to mind a couple of pointers for looking your best when you slip into those perfect Valentine intimates.

 Hair RemovalThis may go with out saying (but I’ll say it anyway), smooth legs, under arms, and a flawless bikini line are essential in making any underpinning that much more attractive.
Whether you wax, shave, or use a depilatory cream, do it at least one day before wearing your lingerie to allow the skin some time to recuperate.

How to choose?
Waxing: Best for darker coarser hair.

• Benefits—smooth skin for an average of three hairless weeks.
• Drawbacks—needs at least a ¼ inch regrowth to be effective, can be difficult and messy and when done at home, can be costly if done in salon.
• My recommendation: best done in salon by a professional.

Shaving: Best for lighter finer hair.

• Benefits—quick, easy, and inexpensive.
• Drawbacks—razor burn, nicks, quick regrowth.
• My recommendation: Pre-moisten the skin, use a shaving gel (not soap), use a sharp razor and shave in the direction the hair grows.

Depilatories: Works to dissolve all types of hair at the follicle.

• Benefits—Quick, easy to use, leaves the skin feeling smooth.
• Drawbacks—contain strong chemicals that may cause irritation on sensitive skin, quick regrowth.

Radiant SkinNow that we have discussed hair removal, let’s talk beautiful, radiant skin!

Whether you choose a negligée or a corset and G-string, these are just accessories to enhance your body and skin which will be the focus of attention.

I can’t say enough about the importance of exfoliation. Use a gentle body scrub (you can skip legs as hair removal also exfoliates the skin). I LOVE Fresh-Brown Sugar Body Polish. The reason this is my favorite scrub is that it gently buffs away dead skin cells while leaving the skin moisturized, and it has the added benefit of a truly heavenly scent (don’t forget to give a little extra love to rough spots such as knees, elbows, and feet). 

Lastly, consider your skin tone. Most of us look (or at least feel) better with a little color especially after a long winter. Nothing is sexier than radiant, glowing skin. Consider using self tanner to add a little warmth to your skin.

For do-it-yourself-ers: I LOVE Clarins Delicious Self-Tanning cream. This self-tanner has, as the name implies, a delicious Cocoa scent and a tinted caramel color for easy application.

If you would rather have an expert help you get your glow on, check out Go Glow. Best part, they come to you and according to the Go Glow website: “Glow specialists can subtly shift the tanning palette to respond to your body's contours, minimizing "trouble" areas while highlighting your natural assets. As we say at Glow, if you can't tone it, tan it!” How’s that for improving your confidence!

No matter which lingerie look you choose to wear, a little prep work done before hand will give you self-confidence and put a swagger in your step. Most importantly it’s how you feel in your own skin that makes you look sexiest.

published in MN MO TC Style blog


 

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