Spring racing season is upon us, Primpers, and I for one am thrilled! Fascinators! False lashes! Fake tan! It’s basically Beauty Editor Nirvana. One of the biggest parts of prepping for spring racing (besides finding the right dress…a killer mission if ever there was) is getting your pins perfectly primed for a high hemline, like Jen here:
Jennifer Hawkins
If you’re a bit hesitant to whip your gams out, you’re not alone. Many of us are still recovering from a bad bout of Scaly Post-Winter Skin Syndrome, and the mere prospect of putting those pins on display can be bloody terrifying a bit daunting.
But fear not – we’ve got your back. And your legs. We spoke with Veet Beauty Director Amy Erbacher, a lady who knows a thing (OK…more like five million things) about whipping your skin into shape. Here she dishes up her top tips for getting yourself a pair of gawk-worthy pins, just in time for spring racing:
Exfoliation is your friend. If you don’t currently treat your bod to a weekly exfoliation session, try and make it a part of your beauty routine. “Exfoliating prior to fake tan application to achieve a subtle glow is a must,” says Amy. Exfoliating will remove dead skin cell build-up and ensure you have an even canvas when you apply fake tan. I’m (still!) a fan of The Body Shop’s delicious and classic Coconut Body Scrub, $27.95, from TheBodyShop.com.au.
Make sure you remove any unwanted hair at least 48 hours before tanning to avoid those annoying little brown dots. If you choose to wax, start from the bottom around your ankles and work your way up the legs. “Starting at this point and working your way up in sections ensures you are less likely to miss any patches,” says Amy. Try Veet’s new EasyWax Electrical Roll-On Kit, $39.99, from pharmacies.
Once your skin is silky smooth and hair-free, it’s time to get your tan on. A spray tan is your best bet if you’re not au fait with a bottle of fake tan (St. Tropez and Naked Tan are both excellent spray tan options). If you’re going to do the deed at home, check out some of our top tanning tips here, and I also recommend you invest in a bronzing mitt to make the application process fool-proof. Try ModelCo’s Blend Buffing Mitt, $11.95, from ModelCoCosmetics.com.
Once you’re bronzed to perfection, keep your faux glow looking divine by moisturising twice a day. “Avoid creams with AHAs, SLS and oil, as this will eat away at the tan,” warns Amy. Also avoid super hot baths and soaking in chlorinated pools and spas – they’ll also strip away your tan.
Don’t forget to tend to your tootsies – especially if you’re wearing strappy heels. As someone who neglects her poor feet, I’ve been dreading having them on display this spring and summer. But not anymore, Primpers, because I recently discovered Scholl’s new Velvet Smooth Express Pedi Electronic Foot File, $49.95, from supermarkets. I tried this out on the weekend, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it was a life changing experience; I am no longer ashamed of my feet.
On the day of your spring racing event, moisturise to keep skin looking smooth and drink plenty of H20. “Always drink lots of water to flush out toxins within the skin and to keep skin looking hydrated,” says Amy.
The finishing touch? Body shimmer. There are some great ones on the market that will give your pins a gorgeous glow – check out Yaz’s favourites here. No time to shop for a new body shimmer? D.I.Y to the rescue: “You can actually make you own by mixing your favourite moisturiser with your face luminiser,” says Amy. Just add one to two pumps of illuminator to your moisturiser and apply to your legs in downward strokes, focusing on the shins.
Lauren x
Tell me Primpers…
Are you a massive spring racing fan, or strictly a Melbourne Cup gal?
Will you dare to bare your legs in a thigh-skimming dress?