Style: Become a beach babe

Jul 3 2008 by Ruth Cobban

Looking great on holiday is achievable, as Ruth Cobban discovers

WHETHER you are jetting off to sunny shores in four weeks or four days, it is not too late to get yourself beach- ready. There is a whole host of treatments and tricks to help you get body beautiful and ensure that you look bronzed, toned and gorgeous.

Beach body

PAUL WALKER, Operations manager at the Harbour Club Liverpool, has put together a special four week beach body training plan for all gym members which he promises will have you slipping into a smaller pair of shorts this summer.

For a more toned beach bod, he advises increasing your cardio- vascular work-outs. For max- imum fat burning, you should be aiming for a 30-60minute session at least five times a week.

Lifting weights is also great, as it increases your lean body mass. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn at rest and during exercise. This is one of the reasons that obese people have a difficult time losing fat, even though they often eat less than lean people. They have slow metabolisms from low lean body mass.

Also, eat more frequently. If you've been skipping meals or only eating the traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner, start eating more often. Simply reduce your portion sizes and include protein with every meal.

Tantastic

IF YOU haven’t time to tone it, fake it. A golden tan can considerably improve even the wobbliest of bits. For an even all- over tan, try a St Tropez treatment, which involves being sprayed from tip to toe with spray-on tan by a beauty therapist. For best results, exfoliate first and keep your tan well-moisturised so that it lasts longer. St Tropez treatments are available from Hooka, on Wood Street, Liverpool. They cost £15 for a half-body treatment and £30 for the full-body and take around 20 minutes.

Swimwear

THE right swimwear can make or break your beach look. John Lewis, in Liverpool One, offers a swimwear fitting service for bigger busts and Sonje Beche, an advisor in the store, can help you choose the perfect style.

High cut leg- lengthening styles suit almost everyone but steer clear of boy- cut swimwear unless you have thighs like Kate Moss! Bright colours and patterns can distract and draw attention away from problem areas and black is slimming, while white and light colours complement and accentuate a tan.

Also, invest in a few kaftans and sarongs. You can wear them on the beach and they will cover a multitude of flaws.

If you’re feeling daunted by the thought of baring all on the beach, just remember, no one is perfect, and confidence is the number one accessory.

Finishing touches

MYSPA Clinics, in Liverpool, have a two stage "My Holiday" package which aims to tackle every inch of your body.

Stage one offers a full body wax to get rid of unwanted fuzz, gives your skin a smooth appearance. This is followed by an eyelash or brow tint and an eyebrow shaping, to give the perfect frame to your face. Priced £70.

The second stage includes a luxury pedicure and manicure to give you hands and feet to be proud of. This is followed by a full body exfoliation and an all-over Decleor tan, to give your skin a golden glow.

Priced £75.