4 Tips for Perfect Skin This Summer

I'm in big (beauty) trouble. I completely forgot that my cousin's bachelorette party is next weekend. And it's not just any bachelorette party; it's a weekend at the beach, which means bikinis, tanks, and lots of short sundresses. So much fun, but here's the problem …

Right now, my skin is pasty, dry, and has yeti-style hair growth. But before I invest in one of those old-timey, full-body bathing suits, I figured I'd at least try to fix this skin situation.

Related: 7 Products Your Skin Needs Now

I spoke with celebrity dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman and celebrity makeup artist Marissa Nemes, and got four amazing tips for glowing summer skin -- fast. Click here for the complete how-to-guide or scroll down for a few ideas.

No. 1: Start scrubbing

After months of cold weather, your skin definitely needs a refresher. According to Jaliman, it's important to get rid of the dead skin that sits on the surface; otherwise your skin will look dull and flaky. And the best way to do this is by exfoliating. "There are a number of ways to exfoliate: sonic machines, puffs, products with a grainy consistency or that contain salicylic acid, pumice stones for the heels," she says.

Click here for more exfoliation tips and tricks.

No. 2: Quick Hair Removal

After you have exfoliated, it's time to remove any unwanted hair. There are a variety of products and methods out there to help with this, um, hairy issue, each with their own pros and cons. Whether you decide to go with shaving, a temporary depilatory cream, waxing or even laser hair removal, make sure to thoroughly examine how your skin will respond to the hair-removal treatment. You don't want to be the partially hairy, partially skin-rashed girl hanging out at the beach. Trust me, it's a lose-lose.

Click here for tips on quick hair removal or here for long lasting hair removal.

No. 3: Self-Tanner

If you followed steps one and two, your skin is feeling healthy and smooth. Now if you want a beach-worthy glow without the harmful rays, self-tanners are a great option. If you're thinking about a self-tanner, Nemes recommends buying a self-tanning mitt. "It allows for a complete streak-free application, and it makes the whole process so much simpler," she says.

Click here for more tips on self-tanner and how to get the best results.

No. 4: Get Protected

Apply sunscreen. OK, we know you've heard that a bajillion times, but it's super important. First, always use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above, says Jaliman. She also recommends trying a sunscreen with zinc in it. This ingredient is great for people with sensitive skin. According to Jaliman, the zinc protects your skin from the other chemicals in the sunscreen, and skin irritation -- after all, zinc is the main ingredient used to soothe diaper rash.

Click here for more tips on the best sunscreen and how to recover from a burn.

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