Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
By Tara Rasmus
Summer is a time for sun, fun...oh yeah, and stepping up your beauty routine. When clothes get smaller, shoes get swapped for sandals, and the temperature and humidity levels skyrocket, our beauty routines need to adjust as well, to make sure that we look hot and keep our cool (despite the awkward thigh sweat and greasy breakouts that seems inevitable).
Thankfully, there are a ton of amazing professional treatments out there that can work wonders when it comes to getting summerfied — everything from chip-proof gel manis to perfect tans to lash extensions are only an appointment away. However, if you lack the cash to go pro for your summer prep, there is also a slew of innovative new products that can help you get similar results at home.
Click through for our full guide on getting summer-perfect from head to toe, from our favorite professional treatments to our latest product obsessions (note: while our treatment recommendations are NYC-centric, you should be able to find similar treatments in most major cities!). You'll be steaming up the beach — or, let's be real, the sidewalks — in no time.
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Thankfully, there are a ton of amazing professional treatments out there that can work wonders when it comes to getting summerfied — everything from chip-proof gel manis to perfect tans to lash extensions are only an appointment away. However, if you lack the cash to go pro for your summer prep, there is also a slew of innovative new products that can help you get similar results at home.
Click through for our full guide on getting summer-perfect from head to toe, from our favorite professional treatments to our latest product obsessions (note: while our treatment recommendations are NYC-centric, you should be able to find similar treatments in most major cities!). You'll be steaming up the beach — or, let's be real, the sidewalks — in no time.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page!


Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
The Treatment: True Facial at Exhale Spa
Rising temps, humidity, and subsequent oiliness can result in major breakouts come summertime. To hedge your bets against any shenanigans, get a detox facial (we're into the True Facial at Exhale, which includes a custom enzyme exfoliation) that will soothe and draw out impurities — basically insurance against any and all zits.
Photo: Courtesy of Exhale Spa
Rising temps, humidity, and subsequent oiliness can result in major breakouts come summertime. To hedge your bets against any shenanigans, get a detox facial (we're into the True Facial at Exhale, which includes a custom enzyme exfoliation) that will soothe and draw out impurities — basically insurance against any and all zits.
Photo: Courtesy of Exhale Spa


Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
At Home: Osea Black Algae Mask
For a similar experience at home (or to keep your skin immaculate on the reg), we're obsessed with this detoxifying algae mask — it totally removes dirt, oil, and all gunk.
$48, available at Osea.
For a similar experience at home (or to keep your skin immaculate on the reg), we're obsessed with this detoxifying algae mask — it totally removes dirt, oil, and all gunk.
$48, available at Osea.


Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
The Treatment: The Airbrush Tan at Gotham Glow
For a flawless head-to-toe tan for that huge wedding you have coming up, the airbrush tan at Gotham Glow is totally customized to render you flawless from head to toe — you'll be glowing perfection in every photo (you can apologize in advance for stealing the bride's thunder).
Photo: Courtesy of Gotham Glow
For a flawless head-to-toe tan for that huge wedding you have coming up, the airbrush tan at Gotham Glow is totally customized to render you flawless from head to toe — you'll be glowing perfection in every photo (you can apologize in advance for stealing the bride's thunder).
Photo: Courtesy of Gotham Glow


Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
At Home: St. Tropez Staycation Kit
Don't have the time (or dough) to seek out a pro spray tan? Try this new kit from self-tan pros St. Tropez. Blend the spray for a streak-free finish, and then apply the skin illuminator once the tan develops — no one will know that your glow was homegrown!
$39, available at Sephora.
$39, available at Sephora.


Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
The Treatment: Elemis Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow at Bliss Spa
For the full vacay experience without the wallet-draining plane ticket, indulge in the Lime and Ginger Salt Glow at Bliss — it's like a glow-inducing margarita for your skin, minus the bad decisions and the hangover.
Photo: Courtesy of Bliss Spa
For the full vacay experience without the wallet-draining plane ticket, indulge in the Lime and Ginger Salt Glow at Bliss — it's like a glow-inducing margarita for your skin, minus the bad decisions and the hangover.
Photo: Courtesy of Bliss Spa


Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
Skinnyskinny Organic Coconut Ginger Lime Body Scrub
For a cocktail-hour experience on the daily, snap up this Coconut Ginger Lime scrub, and officially kiss your winter-scaly skin goodbye.
$26, available at Spirit Beauty Lounge.
For a cocktail-hour experience on the daily, snap up this Coconut Ginger Lime scrub, and officially kiss your winter-scaly skin goodbye.
$26, available at Spirit Beauty Lounge.


Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
The Treatment: The LED Gel Manicure & Gel Pedicure at Shizuka Day Spa
A good mani-pedi is a summer must — the only problem is, sand, saltwater, and even grime on city sidewalks can quickly render your glossy coral toes chipped and dull. The solution? A gel mani-pedi set with an LED light, like the pro offerings at Shizuka Day Spa. It'll keep your paint job flawless for at least two weeks with zero upkeep.
Photo: Courtesy of Shizuka New York
A good mani-pedi is a summer must — the only problem is, sand, saltwater, and even grime on city sidewalks can quickly render your glossy coral toes chipped and dull. The solution? A gel mani-pedi set with an LED light, like the pro offerings at Shizuka Day Spa. It'll keep your paint job flawless for at least two weeks with zero upkeep.
Photo: Courtesy of Shizuka New York


Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
At Home: Sephora by OPI GelShine At-Home Gel Colour System
If you're feeling extra skilled, check out this new kit from Sephora by OPI — it includes literally everything you need to create your very own gel manicure (even a tiny LED light, which, frankly, we find adorable).
$159, available at Sephora.
If you're feeling extra skilled, check out this new kit from Sephora by OPI — it includes literally everything you need to create your very own gel manicure (even a tiny LED light, which, frankly, we find adorable).
$159, available at Sephora.


Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
The Treatment: Laser Hair Removal at Beam Laser Spa
Let's be real: daily full-body shaving may just be our least favorite part of summertime. The solution? Laser hair removal (we're big fans of the treatments at Beam Laser Spa), which over time can lessen hair growth so that you may never, ever have to shave again — hallelujah!
Photo: Courtesy of Beam Laser Spa
Let's be real: daily full-body shaving may just be our least favorite part of summertime. The solution? Laser hair removal (we're big fans of the treatments at Beam Laser Spa), which over time can lessen hair growth so that you may never, ever have to shave again — hallelujah!
Photo: Courtesy of Beam Laser Spa


Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
At Home: Tria Laser Hair Removal 4X
Home hair removal gets high-tech with the new Tria system, the only FDA-approved laser for at-home use (it claims up to 70% hair reduction after only two treatments (impressive, no?). If you're brave enough to endure the ouch-factor, this option can be less expensive — and less awkward — than in-office laser treatments.
$449, available at Sephora.
Home hair removal gets high-tech with the new Tria system, the only FDA-approved laser for at-home use (it claims up to 70% hair reduction after only two treatments (impressive, no?). If you're brave enough to endure the ouch-factor, this option can be less expensive — and less awkward — than in-office laser treatments.
$449, available at Sephora.


Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
The Treatment: The Celluless Method at Acqua Beauty Lounge
Ok, ok. Let us just say up front that cellulite and less-than-perfect behinds are totally normal, and totally sexy. However, if you do want to give your bum/thigh region a boost, The Celluless Method at Acqua Beauty Bar can make a big difference. An ultrasound treatment is followed by suction, which aims to help lessen fatty deposits, stimulate circulation and improve elasticity and skin tone. No matter what your size, we love how this treatment can provide that extra boost of confidence (even when your're in your shortest cutoffs).
Photo: Courtesy of Acqua Beauty Lounge
Ok, ok. Let us just say up front that cellulite and less-than-perfect behinds are totally normal, and totally sexy. However, if you do want to give your bum/thigh region a boost, The Celluless Method at Acqua Beauty Bar can make a big difference. An ultrasound treatment is followed by suction, which aims to help lessen fatty deposits, stimulate circulation and improve elasticity and skin tone. No matter what your size, we love how this treatment can provide that extra boost of confidence (even when your're in your shortest cutoffs).
Photo: Courtesy of Acqua Beauty Lounge


Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
At Home: Nuxe Body-Contouring Serum for Embedded Cellulite
To give your bum a boost at home, this paraben-free serum rocks at giving any fat a zhush, and firming skin so that it appears extra tight and smooth over time. We'd say we'll be moving this little gem into our regular skin care routine, stat.
$40, available at BeautyBar.
To give your bum a boost at home, this paraben-free serum rocks at giving any fat a zhush, and firming skin so that it appears extra tight and smooth over time. We'd say we'll be moving this little gem into our regular skin care routine, stat.
$40, available at BeautyBar.


Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
The Treatment: Lash Extensions at Courtney Akai Lash Boutique
For low-maintenance makeup in the summer, nothing beats ultra-glam lash extentions (we love the extra-thick fringe we got at Courtney Akai). Lashes, lipstick, done — that's the kind of summer beauty routine we can get behind.
Photo: Courtesy of Courtney Akai
For low-maintenance makeup in the summer, nothing beats ultra-glam lash extentions (we love the extra-thick fringe we got at Courtney Akai). Lashes, lipstick, done — that's the kind of summer beauty routine we can get behind.
Photo: Courtesy of Courtney Akai


Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
At Home: Too Faced Better Than False Lashes
To get out-of-this-world fringe at home, try Too Faced's Better The False Lashes system. The high-tech primer formula includes Flexistretch nylon lash fibers, which allow you to build huge, super-long lashes without hitting the falsies. Score!
$35, available at Ulta.
To get out-of-this-world fringe at home, try Too Faced's Better The False Lashes system. The high-tech primer formula includes Flexistretch nylon lash fibers, which allow you to build huge, super-long lashes without hitting the falsies. Score!
$35, available at Ulta.


Beach Babe! Our Ultimate Summer Prep Guide
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