It's Not Too Late: The Ultimate Guide to Summer Beauty
By Michelle Mass
Style & Beauty From faux glows to fitness trends, it's not too late to get your best beach bod ever with a little help from Philly's top beauty brains.
(Good) Skin Is In
A good skincare regimen is perhaps most crucial in the summer months: The sunshine may feel good, but it can do irreversible damage to your skin. "When you're outdoors, in addition to sunscreen, you should always wear a hat," says Becky Fenlin of Center City's Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.. She adds, "A great hat will provide you full protection. Also, SkinMedica just launched a and protects you from infrared damage." In addition to go-to salves, Dr. Louis P. Bucky suggests additional skin treatments, such as Intensif with radio frequency, to help achieve a glowing visage sans sun. Dr. Bucky recommends getting the noninvasive micro-needling treatment three times over three months. "It helps to regenerate skin cell turnover and boost collagen so that your so that your face looks rejuvenated, fuller, and smoother."
Go for the Gold
You don't have to spend a day at the beach to actually look like you spent a day at the beach. Thanks to spray tanning you can arrive at the beach looking perfectly sun-kissed. But there are some tricks to maintaining that faux glow once you get outdoors. It all starts before your appointment. "Shower, shave, and exfoliate 8 to 12 hours before your service," says Adrienne Volpetti, owner of Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. in Queen Village, adding that the salon's organic tan is one of their most popular. She also urges clients to stick with oil-free and paraben-free SPF while in the sun (Sun Bum is one of her favorite brands) plus showering with sulfate-free soap. "Sulfate-free soap will clean without stripping away your color, and always keep your skin moisturized and hydrated after your spray. This will help the tan last longer and fade evenly." Marilyn Kellmer of Center City's SunMyst Tanning suggests clients try the complimentary warm hydrating treatment that is offered prior to every session here. "It really preps your skin and opens up your pores to achieve maximum results," says Kellmer.
No-Stress Tresses
"Hair, like skin, burns," says Liz Stelmach, owner of Ardmore's Salon ZIZA. "This season, embrace the beachy hair look by using leave-in conditioners that attract and hold moisture to minimize any damage." There are other hair-raising factors besides the sun to worry about, too. "Your hair will be tested by UV rays, pools, and salt water," adds Will Bostock,owner of Blue A Hair Studio in Huntington Valley, who suggests starting the summer off with a fresh color and using marbling techniques to maximize vibrancy. For day-to-night styling, Bostock suggests this beyond-easy trick: "Opt for wearing a leave-in treatment while sipping cocktails poolside. After you're finished, put your damp hair in about a half-dozen twisted buns and set for 30 minutes before shaking out and styling with your fingers."
According to manicure mavens like Lisa McElhone of Lacquer Lounge—now open in Old City in addition to Rittenhouse—metallics and pastels are hot hues this summer. But a great manicure begins with healthy nails. "Cuticle oil is your best friend," says McElhone, who explains the oil keeps cuticles hydrated. "We love CND Rescue Rx Daily Keratin Treatment paired with good hygiene and weekly manis." Toni Lomax from The Spa at Logan suggests trimming nails regularly, and to consider health over length. "A shorter style with a rounded edge tends to be easier to manage and looks neater, so you can focus on building strength without worrying about anything else."
Smooth Moves
Dr. Ivona Percec of Penn Medicine says that sometimes diet and exercise simply aren't enough to achieve real results. "Taking the best care of your body goes beyond the gym and eating well," says Dr. Percec, who recommends radio-frequency treatments and fat-diminishing devices for a tighter, firmer figure: "I advise my patients to adopt healthy cosmetic habits that will optimize the natural appearance of both their face and body from the inside out." Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Louis Bucky suggests CoolSculpting, a non-invasive, fat-freezing procedure that essentially eliminates problem areas. Says Dr. Bucky: "We make CoolSculpting even more effective through our specialized treatment program, Sculpt360, which utilizes CoolSculpting. With no downtime, you can continue your summer plans and daily activities without interruption."
Fit to be Tried
People prepare all year to reveal their summer bodies, but that doesn't mean you should stop working out during the summer. Tracy Shannon, of Sweat Fitness, teaches clients to sketch out a nutrition and fitness plan ahead of time. One easy way is with Sweat's Beach Body Challenge, an online program designed by the gym's team of personal trainers and registered dietitians. "Follow the challenge Sunday through Friday then let loose on Saturday, have some fun, and get back to it the next day," says Shannon. Christina Stoltz of Northern Liberties' Ploome Fitness & Lifestyle Boutique says that a killer core/glute combination workout is the key to keeping your body tight all summer long. "You don't need to spend two hours a day in the gym to get to your goal. Optimize your sweat sessions by working your entire body with every exercise."
