Prep for summer with these pre-exposure essentials

Woney: “Yes, why is it there are so many unmarried women in their thirties these days Bridget?”

Bridget: “Oh, I don’t know… I suppose it doesn’t help that underneath our clothes, our entire bodies are covered in scales.”

That said, Bridge may have a point (about scales, not marriage). We definitely witness her body-brushing her bottom like her life depends on it pre ‘Kafka’s Motorbike’ book launch, and it’s true that post-winter skin can oft be disturbingly reptilian… (including, but certainly not exclusive to, women in their thirties).

After months at the mercy of biting winds, dehydrating central heating and a cold-induced tendency to bury ourselves beneath layers of knitwear (and festive pyjamas), come summer, our skin appears dry, flaky and not entirely unlike we’re ready to slither straight out of it.

So lose your cocoon and buff skin back to its beautiful best with these tips, tricks and accomplices.

{Believe the hype} and invest in Mio's {Body Brush}. Dry body brushing not only loosens dead cells but encourages circulation near the skin's surface, which in turn boosts its processes of repair and renewal. It also stimulates lymphatic drainage to eliminate toxins and gradually help the appearance of cellulite.

{Tip!} always brush towards the heart (wrist to shoulder/toe to bottom) to get the blood pumping and make you feel energised. It's a brilliant way to start the day - just a few minutes every other morning pre-shower (focussing on any problem areas) will soon have your skin feeling baby soft and smooth. Use firm strokes but remember, this isn't a punishment...

{Get physical}, get a body scrub. With tiny grains or exfoliating beads suspended in a nutritive base, a good scrub will reinvigorate sluggish skin to leave it velvety soft and looking luminous. Simultaneously smoothing and conditioning, choose your weapon by your skin type (and your body clock).

If you need help to clear the night's cobwebs, Sol de Janeiro's {Brazilian Bod Buff Smoothing Scrub 'N Mask} is the skin-tingling equivalent of a holiday romance - or - if you struggle to unwind, envelop yourself in the soothing scent of REN's {Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polish}, to banish post-work blues and carry you cloud-like into the land of nod.

{Shed your insulation} and reclaim exposé-worthy, fuzz-free limbs. Whether you're a fan of waxing, epilation or a die-hard razorette, liberate legs (and eliminate ouches) with these hair-removal must-haves. Aesop's stunning {Moroccan Neroli Shaving Serum} creates the perfect 'slip' between your skin and razor, while HealGel's {HealGel Body} helps to soothe and rehydrate dry, irritated skin (a godsend if your follicles are furious). 

And, if you're caught short before bikini season, Tria's brilliant {Hair Removal Laser Precision} acts a bit like weed killer for your lady garden... we'll leave it there.

{Tip!} if you're susceptible to unsightly ingrowers, exfoliating 'acid' pads - like Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare's {Alpha Beta Glow Pads} can be swept over legs once you've finished your face, to help prevent those little lumps and bumps. AND, they're laced with super-subtle tanning agents to bestow a streak-free hint of 'sunkissed' colour.

{Do it at your desk} choose a moisturiser with exfoliating properties such a Ameliorate's {Transforming Body Lotion}, which contains lactic acid to smooth and soften skin, whilst sweet almond and vitamin E combine to hydrate, repair and strengthen. The same principle can be applied to your face - use a night cream with an alpha-hydroxy acid (such as glycolic) to gently resurface your skin as your slumber. Try Alpha-H's {Beauty Sleep Power Peel} but remember AHAs gradually strip your skin of its oldest, uppermost layer, so ALWAYS wear an SPF on any areas that may be exposed to the sun - even when it's cloudy, the sun is still up there... somewhere.

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