Leg-spiration... Blake Lively

Spring has officially arrived boasting warmer weather for the next six months ahead. For a lot of women the first thought after initially fantasising over your soon to be spring/summer wardrobe is the confronting realisation that yes, you will soon have to bear your legs to the world, tanned and exfoliated or not.

Making this realisation now, instead of say 2 months down the track, will allow ourselves enough time to save face (At this time of the year a whole plethora of social events jump upon us with the start of the party season, and you don’t want to be arriving to a last minute outdoor-event, where opaque stockings are a fashion crime due to the evident warmer weather, and have unsightly scaly legs in an unfashionable tone of off white. It’s happened to the best of us!).

This brings me to exhibit A, Blake lively. To state the obvious, this girl has amazing legs. They go for days, they are trim and toned but not too thin (skinny is high end, but not exactly healthy or sexy) and she rocks a swoon worthy wardrobe with a crazy amount of mini frocks. Need I go on?

 In honour of spring and Miss Lively herself, or if we want to be more conclusive, her legs, I have listed the products that will take your winter legs, that have been in hibernation mode, to summer lovelies in no time at all. 

Enjoy!

Things you will need to achieve those legs:

Dry skin brush

This is the first step to traffic stopping legs. Dry skinbrushing allows you to brush away all the layers of dead skin cells that remain lingering on your epidermis, spring cleaning is not just for your bedroom, your skin is crying out for it too.  By using the bristles in circular formations you are also creating amazing circulation, this helps the breakdown of stubborn cellulite that deposits itself at the back of the thighs. Use before you jump into the shower at night. Dry brush your whole body once a week for best results.

Pumice stone for the heels and knees

A pumice stone is the perfect tool to help remove any stubborn build up of tough skin around the knees or heels. Use this after you finish your dry skin brushing regime. These bad boys cost next to nothing and are a fabulous beauty investment that you can make at any large super market.  

In-shower exfoliator

An in-shower exfoliator is perfect to gently message the skin, this happens due to the micro beads that are in the cleanser itself. Try using one that is gentle like the Burt’s Bees Radiance exfoliating body wash.  This is the best option as most of your serious exfoliating has already happened thanks to dry brushing. 

Note: an in shower body exfoliator alone will now allow for complete exfoliation. This process must follow dry brushing if you want to reach an end result as airbrushed as Lively’s legs.

Loofah

Ahhh... the humble loofah.  A shower would not be complete without said beauty tool. This spongy ball of goodness is perfect for days when you are not dry brushing. It is also a prerequisite to your in shower mild exfoliator. It helps your product foam and spread best.

Moisturiser

It is really important that once you depart the shower, after the first steps have been completed (dry brushing, in shower cleansing) that you re-hydrate your skin now that your pores are open and unclogged due to the removal of skin cells, if you don’t do this your risk chapped legs once your pins come into contact with brisk wind. Wind burn on legs? Not so hot. Use a relaxing body moisturiser like the Garnier 7 day hydration lotion. This will instantly make your skin feel fresh and oh-so-smooth.

Cellulite be gone

On the days you are not dry brushing, you do not need a moisturiser that is as thick and creamy, as the one listed above. A lighter formulation will work better. It is also a good time to use a formula that aids in the breakdown of cellulite. Try Nivea Body Goodbye Cellulite.

Le Tan fake tan

From the images above it is clear that Miss Lively has gorgeous sun kissed skin, which helps to achieve her contoured and trim legs. Having a healthy glow can make anyone look slimmer, it’s an optical illusion. Le Tan’s instant fast tan mousse is a great choice as it lasts a long time, the foam spreads easily and visibly, it dries fast with the help of some quick blow drying (personal tip), and it has a beautiful rich yet natural finish. Definitely one of my favourites.

Epiliator

Lastly it’s a personal decision which hair removal system works best for you, ( a lot of people prefer to shave as it stops in-grown hairs from developing), but if you’re up for some initial pain to begin with, epilating is a great option. The first time you use an epilator it will hurt a little, but eventually there will be next to no sensation at all, once you have used this tool a few times. Hair grows back finer and less dense; it will help you achieve effortlessly beautiful legs this summer. 

SS x