Aqua

Whether you're beachside or at your desk, let a splash of ocean-inspired hue add a touch of summer to your look. Try a single shade of matt turquoise on your lids for a modern take, or tone it down with bright eyeliner. Paint nails a cool blue for a manicure fit for the Maldives.

Back Chat

Be it in a bikini, a backless dress or a bandeau, baring your back is a reality during the warmer weather. Sport smooth, spot-free skin by sloughing with a buffing cloth or scrub a couple of times a week to remove dead cells, and switch from soap to a gentle body wash. Breakouts can be common in this area as the skin is usually tougher and more oily than your face, so treat any blemishes overnight with a product containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.

Clean Up

Your face can become oilier in summer thanks to the heat causing sebaceous glands to work overtime. This, however, isn't a reason to cleanse more often, as it will only exacerbate the problem. Switch from your rich, tissue-off cleanser to a lighter, washable formula for a clean feel. A facial spritz throughout the day will also help to fight grease, or try a blotting sheet for a matt result. Don't be tempted to load up with powder, though, as this may block pores and cause breakouts.

Double Duty Beauties

When the temperature rises, the last thing you'll want to do is apply a full face of heavy make-up. Lighten your cosmetics bag, and your look, with savvy products that do more than one job.

Exfoliation

Remove the winter build-up of dull, dead skin with a good scrub. Dampen your body in the shower, then turn off the water and massage on a gentle exfoliant in circular motions from your toes to your shoulders. Avoid overly abrasive products as they may cause damage, and opt for formulas with rounded beads or fruit acids that will exfoliate in a gentler way. Opt for a twice-weekly scrub if your skin is sensitive, but, if it's oily, a few more times a week is the way to go.

Faux Glow

A fake tan can be a girl's best friend, offering bronzed limbs without sun damage. But with all the options available, it can be hard to select the right one. An easy way to choose is to go by the texture. If your skin is dry, use a lotion, such as Lancôme Flash Bronzer Deep Self-Tanning Milk, $54, or if it's oily, a gel is best. Try Face Of Australia Bronzer Tinted Tanning Gel, $11.95. When you're short on time, a quick-dry spray, like Guerlain Terracotta Sunless Express Self-Tanning Spray, $85, will get the job done fast. First-timer? You can't beat a mousse for foolproof, streak-free results. We like Le Tan Fast Tan Instant Self Tanning Foaming Mousse, $12.99.

Get Moving

We all know the best way to prepare for a summer on the sand is to schedule some regular exercise into your routine. However, studies* show that sweating it out in the gym a few times a week is not necessarily best, especially if you have a sedentary job. Research suggests that being desk-bound all day, or lazing in front of the television all evening, may negate the effect of your gym session. Cut down the risk of obesity and diabetes by doing more incidental exercise to complement your regular gym time. Anything from standing up while you're on the phone to walking over to a colleague's desk instead of emailing, or catching the bus to work rather than driving door to door, is beneficial. Just don't be tempted to quit your work-outs – you'll need to do both for best results.

Hair Helpers

Treatments for your lengths are a hot-weather must, no matter your hair type. Set aside five minutes a week, comb a nourishing option through freshly washed, towel-dried hair, and leave it to work its magic. Hydrating formulas, such as Schwarzkopf Extra Care Nutri-Protect Repair Gel Mask, $8.39, and Sebastian Professional Hydre Deep-Moisturizing Treatment, $34, will work wonders on stressed strands.

Insure Your Investment

While a new hue is a great way to get ready for summer, there's no point spending money on a colour only to have it ravaged by the sun, salt and chlorine. Secure your shade with products that include UV filters, and invest in a leave-in conditioner that will guard your lengths while swimming or sun seeking.

Just A Touch

The easiest way to maintain a healthy radiance is by using a body moisturiser with built-in self-tanning ingredients every day. They're light, simple to apply, and will result in a natural-looking colour without staining your sheets or developing that "fake tan" smell. It will take a few days to notice the effect, though, so don't expect instant results.

Key Essentials

When you're beach bound, top up your tote with buys that are small in size, but big on impact, so you can lighten your load without compromising on style or sun safety. Don't leave home without a travel-sized hair treatment for after swimming, such as KMS California Solperfection After Sun Rescue, $44.50 for four; a mini sunscreen, such as Avon Sun SPF 30+ Sunblock Lotion Roll-On, $12.99; a lip balm with high sun protection, like Hissyfit Lip Service SPF 50+ in Toffee, $25; and a tinted balm to enhance lips, cheeks and eyes to take you from beach to bar. We like Kit Cosmetics Duo Cheek & Lip Crème in Pretty Cheeky, $34.95.

Lighten Up

If your skin is normal to oily, it's a good idea to trade your rich winter cream for a lighter lotion in the warmer months to avoid any excess grease. But don't be tempted to ditch the moisturiser altogether – you want to keep your complexion hydrated. Instead, amp up your night-time routine to give your face a boost while you sleep, as your body works to repair damage caused during the day. A restorative serum, used under your regular night cream, is an easy way to maximise your rest time.

Make Mine Mineral

Mineral make-up is ideal for when the temperature rises. It's light, has built-in sun protection, and won't clog pores, even on the steamiest of days. It's also great for touch ups. Perfect your complexion in moments by buffing on Skin O2 Medical Makeup Mineral Foundation in Sand, $62, and get your glow back with L'Oréal Paris Glam Bronze Minerals Mineral Bronzing Powder in Blonde, $33.45.

Nourish And Nurture

Restore parched limbs with a generous helping of body lotion after your shower, while your skin is still a little damp, to trap as much moisture as possible. If your skin is dry, try a nourishing formula, such as Johnson's Extra Rich Body Lotion, $6.99, or treat normal skin with a lighter option, like Dior HydrAction Corps Body Sorbet Emulsion, $65.

Out With Orange Peel

While there's no proven cure for cellulite – that annoying, dimpled skin that takes up residence primarily on thighs and buttocks – certain treatments can make a difference. Exfoliating the area using circular motions with a buy such as Biotherm Celluli Laser Scrub, $99, will help increase circulation, and visually smooth and brighten the skin. Next, a firm massage with a treatment product, like TriLASTIN-CF Cellulite Firming Complex, $115.95, or InEssence Body Firming Solution, $39.95, can assist in firming and smoothing out problem spots. Drinking two litres of water each day will also help flush toxins from your system, leaving your skin looking refreshed and plumped up from head to toe.

Pinch Your Cheeks

Bronzer is a summer essential for creating a glamorous glow, but make it look more natural by adding blush. Blend your chosen bronzing product across your cheekbones, nose, forehead and chin to add radiance, then apply a rosy blush to the apples of your cheeks for a feminine flush.

Quick Fixes

Need to be out the door in a flash? Fake fabulous by slathering on a body lotion with a built-in bronzer. Choose one that rinses off in the shower, so you don't need to worry about doing a perfect job. Next, treat tresses to a few spritzes of sea-salt spray for a soft, wavy finish, minus the time blow-drying, then slick on some tinted lip gloss and you're done.

Rescue Remedy

So, you spent a little too much time in the sun and now you're sporting sore, red skin. Instead of slathering on rich creams, which can trap the heat in, take a tepid shower, then treat the burn with a hydrating lotion or spray – the lighter the better. Reapply every few hours until the sting subsides.

Smooth Moves

De-fuzz from top to toe with these hair-removal options:

Toes

After a winter in tights and boots, it's time to treat your feet to some TLC. First, soak them in warm water for a few minutes, and remove dry skin with a zesty exfoliant. Rinse and pat dry, then slather on a foot cream to soften rough skin. Do this before bed, then slip on a pair of cotton socks and let the moisturiser sink in while you sleep. Clip your nails and, before slicking on one of this season's bright polishes, protect them with a base coat to prevent yellowing.

Use Protection

Think of it as your must-have product for summer and don't leave the house without a generous helping of sunscreen with a high SPF. You'll need about a teaspoon for your face and a shot glass full for your body. Check the use-by date on your products and throw out any old ones – it's important to invest in new sunscreen regularly to make sure you're getting the full protection stated on the label. And don't stress about the grease factor: the new breed of products offers maximum defence in light formulas you won't even notice.

Victory Against Streaks

Swimming and sweat can cause make-up to run and smudge. Save face by visiting a beauty salon at the start of the season for an eyebrow and eyelash tint for definition that lasts. Then, if you want to add more drama, choose long-lasting and waterproof products, such as Revlon ColorStay Brow Enhancer, $23.95, and Max Factor Masterpiece Max Waterproof Mascara in Black, $23.95. Want to make a full face of make-up stay put? Try ModelCo Beauty Fix Airbrush Face, $34, when you need to look flawless for hours.

Wear Brights

Throw caution to the wind and treat yourself to a splash of vivid colour this season. Pump up your pout with a juicy-looking lip tint in a show-stopping candy shade, like Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Viva Pink, $18.99; and pair it with a rosy blush for a radiant effect – we like Bobbi Brown Blush in Peony, $58. And don't forget your nails: before you paint, file fingernails into short, slightly rounded squares, or "squovals", as bold tones look best on a shorter canvas. Either match the enamel on your fingers and toes, or make a statement with clashing tropical combinations, like a fuchsia manicure and coral pedicure. Try Manicare GlamNails Nail Enamel in Fantasy, $9.95; and Eles Nail Enamel in Ruby In Fuschite, $18.95.

X-ray Vision

If you're in any doubt about the damage the sun can inflict on your skin, visit a department store to see for yourself. Many brands, such as SK-II and Lancôme, have clever cameras at some counters that look under the top layers of skin to see what lies beneath. If your complexion has seen a few too many rays, repair damage by investing in a restorative product designed to brighten, repair and even out skin tone.

Yellow Fever

Ready to try a new trend? From vivid canary to sheer gold, yellow makes a comeback for summer. Accessorise a bold-toned bikini or floaty sundress with a sheer wash of shimmering eyeshadow brushed lightly over lids, and a banana-bright manicure.

Zinc

No, you needn't make like a cricketer and sport a white stripe down your nose to stay safe in the sun. Instead, protect your skin in a less obvious way thanks to invisible zinc. Offering the same sort of shield as its parchment-hued cousin, this genius product is perfect if you're preparing to spend
an extended period outdoors.