Beautiful Summer Skin 1, 2, 3

Step 1: Prep

It's the night before the debut of your brand-new bathing suit but you've suddenly realized that the skin on your arms and legs -- and especially your feet -- is definitely not ready to face the public. Before you search for a head-to-toe cover-up, consider this: Transforming the rough skin on your arms, legs, and feet -- the result of extreme moisture loss during the long, cold winter months -- is a matter of taking a few simple steps the night before.

Exfoliate: Your silky skin is hiding -- you just need to coax it to the surface with exfoliants. (Exfoliating also helps to remove the extra-dry patches on your knees and elbows, crucial for good self-tanning results.) A basic scrubbing brush sloughs off dry skin without too much elbow grease and should be used on dry skin immediately before or even in the shower. Scrubbing washes also work quickly; some have the extra benefit of cleansing your skin, too. Or try a body mask, which extracts impurities from your skin. Masks require a bit more time (about 20 minutes) but are worth the extra effort.

De-fuzz: No doubt about it -- you must rid yourself of any errant hairs. Any whether you're a fan of razors, depilatories, or at-home waxing kits, the key word this summer is easy, even for sensitive-skin types, thanks to more effective yet gentler removal formulas.

Self-tan: Everyone benefits from a little boost of color, especially at the start of the summer. Get it with a self-tanner, which puts you in the driver's seat, allowing you to customize just how dark you want to be. Choose from gels, creams, and lotions -- even towelettes.

Make your feet sandal ready: Feet really get the worst of it during winter. Take a look down below -- most likely, you'll be greeted with dry tootsies that are crying out for extra moisture. The solution's easy enough. Scrub away any dry spots with a pumice stone or a scrub formulated with rich emollients to treat the especially rough skin on soles and ankles. Finish with a generous coating of foot-friendly moisturizer.

1. Dr. Scholl's For Her Foot Softening Balm, $5.99, rids feet of dry patches with alpha-hydroxy acids, and moisturizes with shea butter and glycerin.
   
   Also try: Sally Hansen Just Feet Spa Sugar Scrub, $6.50, works well before moisturizing feet.
2. Shiseido Suncare Brilliant Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Gel, $28, is infused with shimmer, which helps your faux tan look even more authentic.
   
   Also try: L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Towelettes for the Face, $9.99, are premoistened with single servings of self-tanner.
3. Target Two-In-One Massage Bush, $4.99, has bristles for exfoliation and massaging nubs to boost circulation.
   
   Also try: Avon Planet Spa Arizona Hot Sands Smoothing and Toning Body Clay, $7.50, works with body heat to firm skin and remove impurities.
4. Parissa 2 in 1 Roll-On Body Sugar, $19.99, is a microwavable waxing kit with an ergonomically designed dispenser, two sizes of applicator heads for body and face, and 20 reusable strips.
   
   Also try: Schick Intuition Plus Razor with Moisture-Rich Shea Butter, $8.99, comes with its own shaving cream.