Getting Summer-Ready with Tom’s of Maine

Thank you Tom’s of Maine for sponsoring this post.

A new season means a fresh new beauty routine. Whenever a new season begins, I like to step up my beauty routine, particularly after a long, cold winter. I don’t know about you, but I always benefit from pre-summer pampering after months of dry, cold weather. Summer is synonymous with bright, flowing fashions, and welcoming the warm weather, so I like to make sure my body is looking it’s best. Today I am partnering with Tom’s of Maine to share how I get summer-ready in five easy steps.

Whiten Your Smile

Who doesn’t want whiter teeth? I am somewhat of a pushover for a nice, white smile because it can make all the difference in naturally brightening my look. Begin by switching to a toothpaste with a whitening agent that’s safe to use daily like Tom’s of Maine Luminous White whitening toothpaste.

Lately, I’ve become more aware of what I put in and on my body. Luminous White whitening toothpaste offers safe, effective whitening with 100% naturally-derived ingredients that work to remove surface stains and whiten teeth in just two weeks. Plus, Luminous White whitening toothpaste is free from artificial flavors, colors, gluten and preservatives and is never tested on animals.

Get it from your favorite retailer: Walmart,  Target, and Amazon.

Exfoliate and Moisturize

Whether you suffer from bronzer buildup or have rough feet, exfoliation is the key to getting that healthy summertime glow. Exfoliating —removing dead skin cells — helps expose underlying new and healthy skin.

Before soaping up, gently brush your skin from head to feet with a loofah, body brush, or exfoliating glove followed by a cool shower. Next, apply exfoliating cleanser to a loofah or exfoliating glove. Begin polishing your body in a circular motion starting with the bottoms of your feet and working your way up. Rinse with lukewarm water followed by cold water. After getting out of the shower, apply a lightweight moisturizing body lotion.

Nail It

After a long winter, it’s time to get your hands and feet ready for those summer pool parties. Treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure. Don’t have time to hit up the nail salon? No problem. Give yourself a professional looking DIY hand and foot treatment at home.

Start by removing old nail polish with non-acetone nail polish remover. Clip and/ file to shape your nails to your desired shape and smooth your nail surface with a buffing block.

Next, soak your hands for three minutes, and feet for five minutes in warm soapy water. Massage into each foot and hand, a quarter-size dab of medium-size grains foot exfoliants, like sugar or salt crystals scrub. Rinse with warm water and apply a quick-absorbing moisturizer to hydrate.

Finally, apply a base coat to create an even surface for your nail color. Paint on two thin layers of nail polish, letting your color fully dry between each coat. Finish with a clear topcoat and allow to dry fully.

Go Bronze

Want a golden glow without the harmful UV rays? Try a self-tanning lotion. While self-tanning lotions got some bad press in years past, a self-tan is the fastest and simplest way to get that all-over bronze radiance. Formulas have improved considerably since they first came on the market. Whether you want an instant bronze, gradual tan, or typical self-tan, there are many products available to give you that sun-kissed look. Plus, a faux glow can rapidly minimize the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks.

After exfoliating, apply a lightweight body lotion paying close attention to dry spots like knees, elbows, and ankles. With clean hands, apply self-tanner in circular motions about a teaspoon at a time. Start with the top of your feet and ankles and work your way up to your neck to avoid any peculiar marks from bending over. Finish with your arms, hands, and face.

Hydrate Your Hair

The same way our skin becomes rough and dry with exposure to extreme weather, our hair can also become damaged. Don’t neglect your hair this summer. Now is the season to appreciate that loose, soft, natural look.

Get that polished, sophisticated look with a little extra hair TLC before summer begins. Head to the salon for a trim and a moisturizing treatment to give your hair the enrichment it needs. Additionally, there are many shampoos, conditioners, and damage repair treatments available to repair and protect while making tresses summer ready.

Getting summer ready doesn’t have to be an expensive, time-consuming endeavor. If you follow these simple steps, you’ll quickly be on your way to looking and feeling your very best this season.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.