I performed something a little on the frightening side at the weekend. No, I didn’t decide to walk naked down the corridor of our home, scaring (or should that be scarring) the pimples off my teenagers’ faces.
Close.
I actually looked at my legs after I got out of the shower. Really looked at them. For three or more months, they’ve received nothing more than a cursory wipe of the towel before quickly being ensconced in a pair of jeans or tights. Out of sight out of mind.
Not any more. Spring is here.
So, I forced myself to look.
And I can tell you on good authority, they did not look like Ms Aniston’s.
They looked more like those you might find on an albino yeti. Only not as attractive.
Truth be known, I only have myself to blame. I am a natural-born hibernator. During the winter months I have no drive to get out of bed in the dark at 5.30am and pound the pavements and I tend to see leg hair removal as optional.
So discovering on the weekend, that my “pins” were a long way from being fit for public viewing, I took action. Swift action. Shut the bathroom door quickly (but silently) action.
And I mustered together my favourite de-fuzz and leg preening products. Think my legs are still in shock.
If you need to shock your pins into spring-readiness. Then read on for how to do it.
1. Remove the unwanted hair. I’m a reformed bikini line waxer, now a huge fan of laser hair removal (mostly because it suits my lazy time poor approach to grooming), but for legs and underarms, I go for the quick shave approach.
TriShave 3in1 Shave Crème For Women $8.50, left, is a supermarket buy that not only makes shaving easy but also helps prevents nasty post-shave rashes thanks to tea-tree and rose oils. It’s soap-free too. My Gillette Venus Spa Breeze razor $13.59, right, has been a fave for more than 12 months because the built-in gel bars make for a super smooth glide.
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2. Give yourself a good scrub. Just like your face should get a regular scrubbing off of the dead skin cells, so should your legs. Particularly if you’re a serial spray tanner through the spring and summer months. Exfoliating 24 hours beforehand will give you a longer-lasting tan.
Sodashi Organic Green Tea Salt Therapy Exfoliant $66, left, contains Himalayan crystal salts which work to detox and exfoliate and don’t know about you but I need a little post-winter detox. Burt’s Bees Honey & Shea Sugar Scrub $29.95, right, is one tub of almond, honey and shea delishness. Sorry to tease – it’s not available in David Jones until October 15 – but it’s too good not to rate a mention here.
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3. Re-hydrate every night with a good moisturiser. Before bed, I like to give my legs (and the rest of my body) and dose of moisturiser. Something that’s not too heavy but just right for slipping between the sheets in.
Kiehl’s Creme de Corps, from $16.95, left, is packed full with beta-carotene, cocoa butter and sesame oil for a luxe moisturiser that your legs will lap up. The Jurlique Jasmine Body Care Lotion $44, right, is more lightweight in texture but just as hydrating thanks to beeswax, safflower oil, honey and avocado.
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4. Slather on an SPF moisturiser during the day. If I’m going to the beach (which happens a lot when you live a 10 minute walk from one), I’ll reach for a heavy duty sunscreen but for everyday, incidental sun exposure, I choose to stay sunsafe with a moisturiser with an SPF.
NIVEA Sun Light Feel Every Day Sun Lotion SPF 30+ $16.43, left, is gorgeously lightweight in texture but heavyweight in protection. I’m yet to try it at the beach but it’s got four hours of water resistance. Score. Vaseline Aloe Fresh Lotion with SPF 15, from $7.68, right, is another winner in my leg’s pre-spring war, offering a light, quick-absorbing lotion with aloe vera leaving skin soft and fresh.
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5. Get thee to a spray tanner or try at home yourself. You’ve probably guessed by now that I’m more the “pay someone to do the difficult jobs” kind of girl. And that’s definitely the case with fake tans. I go to a fantastic spray tanner who uses just the right shade for me – something that doesn’t look ridiculous on my pale skin but manages to take the edge of the white iridescent glow. I am a big fan of a gradual tanner though. Can’t really stuff that one up. And if I’m in a real hurry and my legs (or arms for that matter) need colour fast, I’ll whip out a spray-on bronzer.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Natural Bronze Body Lotion $12.95, left, is always handy over summer. You actually get an instant colour but I find a daily application is also good for keeping a spray tan alive. Le Tan Flawless Legs Wash Off Leg Makeup $17.99, right, has got me out of more than one potential white leg or arm situation (yes, I’ve used it successfully on arms, back and chest). Coverage is great and easy to achieve and if you stuff up, you can just wipe off. Too easy.
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Do you have a spring action plan in place for your legs or do yours look like Jen Aniston’s already? It’s ok, I’ll still like you
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*The products I’ve included above are either new favourites in my bathroom cabinet or old timers which I turn to every spring. For more information on my disclosure policy, click here.
This week is Spring Clean week on Styling You. Every day there will be a post aimed at helping you get ready for the new season. Hope you enjoy.
