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How to have sexy summer legs
The warm weather is here and it's time to flash those pins. Find out how to get your legs looking super-sexy and beach-ready
If your legs have been hiding in jeans or tights, they're bound to be a bit lack-lustre by the time the English summer finally rolls around. You can quickly restore them by dry-brushing to stimulate circulation and eliminate dead skin cells. Using a natural-bristled soft body brush, brush in a gentle circular motion from your toes up to your thighs and bum for five to ten minutes.
After brushing, jump into the shower and treat your thighs to an aqua massage. Using a gentle salt-based exfoliant, massage the skin in a circular motion concentrating on problem areas such as top of legs and back of thighs. If you've got cellulite, use warm coffee grounds instead of a body scrub. It's messy but caffeine is a common ingredient used in anti-cellulite products and is proven to help eliminate lumps and bumps.
For fast, simple and fuss-free hair removal, use a good quality razor. To ensure an extremely close shave, soften hairs first by having a bath, as this is a great way to hydrate before shaving - hair is easier to cut when wet and supple. Try not to soak too long however, as this causes skin to wrinkle and swell slightly, making a close, clean shave more difficult.
Use shaving gel or lotion. Although soap is great for cleaning, shaving products help you get a closer shave, with less irritation, as their inbuilt moisturisers help hydrate the hair follicles and reduce dryness. Start at the base of your ankle holding the razor at a thirty-degree angle from your leg. Pull the skin taut with one hand, shave with the other. Don't apply too much pressure with the razor and always shave in the opposite direction to hair growth. Use long upward strokes and rinse your razor frequently in warm water. Hair clogging will impair your razor's efficiency and you will be left with unsightly stubbly patches. Also, don't be tempted to go over the same area too many times, as this will increase the likelihood of irritation.
After shaving, rinse your legs in lukewarm water and gently pat skin dry with a soft towel. It's best to moisturise immediately, as while your skin is slightly damp the lotion will absorb better into the epidermis. Choose a suitable body lotion, cream or oil for your skin type and slather it on generously. Spend some time massaging the lotions into your legs using long, sweeping motions. If you want extra colour, now is the time to apply your self-tan.
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