Feeling Summer Ready

In Southern California, spring and summer sort of run together (and then spill over well into what the rest of the world knows as fall). This time is pool and beach season and it has officially begun. Here’s how I get to feeling summer ready. This post has been updated for 2021.

I’m writing this on the heels of our first neighborhood pool gathering in well over a year. We’re also mid build on our own backyard pool. These things have my kids dreaming about dinners in swimsuits and staying up well past bedtime to enjoy the extra long days. It also has me thinking about preparing to live in my swim suit on summer days and weekends for the foreseeable future.

I am naturally fair skinned, which I think is somewhat unfortunate because my skin doesn’t tan on its own. It also means that I have no incentive to skimp on the sunscreen. I like high SPF, shade, and loose, flowy cover-ups at the pool.

That doesn’t mean that I don’t long for a little bit of color.

Best Summer Self Tanner

My go-to, at-home, pre-pool summer glow is from Jergens Natural Glow. I’ve used both the daily and firming versions of this product and they get the job done without going orange. I also really like the Natural Glow Face Moisturizer, too.

Always prime skin first in the shower paying extra attention to knees and elbows as those areas have tendency to be a little bit more dry.

Dove Exfoliating Body Polish and these Korean exfoliating towels are amazing (even if you aren’t prepping your skin for self tanner). I use the Jergens Natural Glow as I would my normal post-shower lotion making sure to use it sparingly at the knees and elbows. Tip: You can also moisturize these areas in advance with a regular moisturizer so that they don’t soak up too much of the color).

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Finally, I treat myself to a pedicure. I’ll do it at home for the rest of the summer, but there’s something special about that first pedicure of the season.

I choose a bright, happy color and it makes me want to wear sandals and dip my toes into the pool. For me, half the battle in enjoying myself during summertime is feeling comfortable in my (much more exposed) skin.

A tan, pretty nails and a little lip gloss go a long way toward boosting my confidence and have me feeling summer ready.

Related: How to do your own dip nails at home

Related: Megan and Wendy’s Summer Fashion and Beauty Essentials

How do you prep for summer days at the pool or beach?