Hollywood tips to look great at the pool or beach

This is an edited repost of one of my most popular posts!

Hollywood Tips to look great at the Pool and Beach

Model Renata Moise, Photo by Barry Gallegos....Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas

If we all looked like my friend Renata in swimwear, we'd be at the pool or beach every day of the summer!.....However, most of us don't.....(nor do we qualify for the Boston Marathon, which is how she earned her body). But the good news is, being a West Coaster for 18 years, I have learned some things. Below are a few tips that work for me.

First things first, a tote bag- Have a designated pool or beach bag with sunscreen, a towel, sunglasses, always at the ready to grab easily so you look pulled together. Best if it's a light color bag, cloth, some kind of weave texture, canvas, or even clear acrylic like the one below, which makes it easy to find things and are waterproof!

Macys.com/Guess-Hula Girl Tote $ 68.00

Sunglasses - Always wear sunglasses! It's good to have a special pair set aside that you don't use every day that always look good, unscratched and flattering. Plus, they're great for on top of your head after coming out of the water.

Ceasars Palace... Venus Pool 2013

Make-up - Waterproof mascara and some lipstick or colored gloss make a world of difference. Best to  put sunscreen on your face before leaving the house. It will soften your skin which can give it a bit of a glow.

Hair- If your hair is clean and looks great, good for you! It may not last long in the heat, sun and water, however, so have a back up plan. Either wear a beach hat, (not a baseball cap, which causes guaranteed hat hair), or slick back your mane into a sleek ponytail with some light hold gel. Just because it's a ponytail doesn't mean it has to look like you just came from the gym. Or a "messy" bun, tip your head upside down, then back up, secure with ponytail holder, wrap hair around ponytail holder in a circle, stick in two bobby pins "wherever". Also, If you have shoulder length or longer hair it's easy to do your own loose side braid or side pony tail and leave a little bangs out to soften it up.

Lisa rockin' the wet head look! Rio Pool

Shoes - sandals are best, flip flops, wedgies, sling backs....a 1 - 3 inch heel is best. If you can't remember the last time you had a pedicure,  a little lotion and a quick quote of light toenail polish make a big difference in a pinch.

Both comfy & pretty, sandals rock!.. Voo Doo Beach, Rio Hotel

Jewelry - Minimal, but here is a trinket that looks great on all ladies....an ankle bracelet! You can get them at stores like Claire's Boutique in the mall, or the gold and silver by the inch kiosks. (The beach and pool are not the place for expensive jewelry). Most department stores also sells a nice selection.

Cover up- The beach and pool are a "no khaki zone". Swimsuit cover ups that are most flattering are summer dresses or skirts/wraps. A long wrap is best, more versatile. A simple summer dress long or short, light and breezy moves with you when you walk and feels light and airy. Shorts work too, but please no gym shorts, unless you are there to do something really athletic.

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Heather of Beauty Kitchen, rocks a summer pool outfit with attitude! Thailand 2014...HeatherMarianna.tv

Sunscreen- Yeah I know blah blah blah wear sunscreen. I am actually a firm believer in this because sunburn happens SO fast and by the time you notice it is too FAR too late! Hawaiian Tropic has some great products and if you want a little "glow" you can use their spray oil, (if you want more coverage spray it over suntan lotion). Don't go crazy though nobody likes the oily look...especially in your cleavage area....slimy cleavage....not attractive. There are also a few new sunscreen products with a little self tanner combined in them, which I have not tried, but might.

To tan or not to spray tan- Trust me, nobody cares if you are tan or not. I have seen plenty of great looking people with no tan whatsoever "rock" a swimsuit. Also, the opposite is true. There is such thing as "too" tan....if you live at the beach we understand, you're forgiven. But if it's an overdone artificial tan then you just seem insecure. If you must spray tan to get yourself to the pool for the first time of the season, then get a light spray tan and after that you won't care. After all it's about relaxing and having FUN!

Swimsuit -No matter what your shape, size or AGE, nobody has to wear a "mom suit" this summer. Plenty of swimwear designers offer options that hold, cover and flatter. Whenever I see a woman in a mom suit it makes me think she is self conscious instead of celebrating the fact that she's out there in the sun and swim. (Unless it's a modesty issue but anyone ultra modest wouldn't be in a swimsuit in public). Oh, and nobody really notices about your cellulite, look close enough and you'll see, every woman has it...even the skinny minnies!

This suit has shirring (every woman's best friend), that hides any extra weight without being obvious, and if you have the opposite problem and are not curvy enough, it cinches your waist to give you a few!

SwimsuitsforAll.com

With that said, please don't hide away because you don't feel "perfect".....go to the pool or beach and look around. Nobody there is flawless, but everyone there is having fun!