Happy Monday loves! I’m glad you came by Northwest Blonde today because I wanted to have some #realtalk with you. With it being summer the layers come off and we are all spending more time at the beach or pool in a swimsuit.
Now I by no means feel super confident in a swimsuit. Over the past few years, I went from being a professional ballet dancer with a body that was accustomed to working out 8 hours a day to a college student, and over this past year I’ve transitioned into a 9-5 desk job. Needless to say there have been some changes that don’t help with my body confidence. So when I was headed to Hawaii this past month, I wanted to take some steps towards greater bikini body confidence. Here’s what I found helped me feel comfortable and confident in my own skin and hopefully will for you too!
1) Find the right suit
This doesn’t mean the swim suit your best friend is wearing or the one a magazine says you should be wearing. Find a swimsuit that makes YOU feel beautiful and helps cover any areas you aren’t loving at the moment. For me, this means a swimsuit that covers my belly (hello retro high waist).
2) Bronze Up
Showing up at the beach pre-bronzed makes the world of difference. Rather than going into the sun a shade of white that reflects the light, prep the night before and put on your favorite sunless tanner for a bronzed glow when you hit the beach. If you are really advanced with the tan-in-a-bottle, try doing a little contouring to help out all the work you’re doing at the gym. Simply add a little more tanning lotion to your inner and outer thighs, beneath your collar bones, and sides of your waist. Don’t forget your SPF too!
Need some self tanning tips? I’ve shared my fail proof routine here and am giving away my current tanning routine plus a $50 Sally Beauty gift card on this Instagram!
3) Ditch the Sugary Drinks
While a nice cold drink or salty snack is the best thing to go with a beach day, leave the sugary drinks at home. Drinking plenty of water not only helps you stay hydrated in the sun but also helps with any bloating that occurs from mixing sugar and salts. Try drinking plenty of water the day before your beach day for best results!
4) Accessorize
The perfect pair of sunnies and a chic hat will never go amiss when accessorizing for the beach. These little add-ons really help me feel like I’m wearing a complete outfit and therefor help with my confidence. If you really want the full feeling of being done up rather than half naked, do up your hair (I love beach braids), have your nails painted, and put on a little waterproof mascara and tinted lip balm.
5) Practice, Patience & a Little Reminder
Honestly, I’ve read tons of articles about body confidence and I find that many of these articles skip the simple fact that body confidence doesn’t happen over night. Having a mantra that you tell yourself daily or doing little things to make yourself feel more beautiful daily help build up your body confidence and therefor your overall confidence. You are already gorgeous but I find that many of us just need a little reminder of that beauty that everyone gets to see.
That’s it loves! Those are my tips and thoughts on bikini body confidence. What are your ways to build up your body confidence, especially when wearing a bikini? Share them with me! I’ve also linked all my Hawaii swim picks below if you’re interested!
Say hello to our returning guest host for this week’s Start The Week Stylish linkup: Ada from Elegance & Mommyhood. Ada is a fashion blogger who you may remember from earlier link ups. Today she’s back to show off her swim style. Be sure to stop by her blog this week and say hello!
Two of our favorite nautical looks from last week are Stefanie of The Style Safari and Fonda of Savvy Southern Chic
That black and white suit is adorable! You look great!!
Jaymie
Thanks Jaymie! I really wish I remember where I got it from but I honestly can’t!
xo – Ana Luiza
These are wonderful tips! You look beautiful in all this suits. Thanks for the link up.
http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you Kathrine! Love that you are always commenting and linking up with us!
xo – Ana Luiza
Those are awesome tips – thanks! Love the B&W suit btw!
Can’t wait for you to check out what I am wearing this week at the blog – come check it out and let me know what you think!
Happy Monday!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
Thanks Rebecca!I’ll check it out!
xo – Ana Luiza
Really great post and you look fabulous! This is such an important message, for sure. I used to be so concerned with how I looked in a swim suit that I didn’t enjoy my time swimming with my kids. I ditched that insecurity a while ago and now I just have fun! Plus most people are too concerned with how they look in their swim suits that they are probably not paying much attention to me anyway!
Thanks for hosting the link up. Do come link up with me as well On the Edge of the Week.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
I love hearing this Shelbee! As someone who is just realizing it now, I wish I had worried less as it really does put a damper on living life and having fun! Thanks for sharing!
xo – Ana Luiza
These are such good and practical tips. It is amazing how finding the right suit helps. I always fake a tan before too. You look great!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Thanks Amy Ann! I used to always want to wear the same style as my friends but finally realized that we have totally different body types and what worked for them wouldn’t work on me.
xo – Ana Luiza
Finding the right suit is key. I love that black and white one on you!
Thank you Amy! I wish I remembered where it’s from!
xo – Ana Luiza
Thrilled to be featured! So glad you liked my look!
Also I love your tips on body confidence in swimwear. The bronzing and sugary drinks are key!
-Stefanie
http://www.thestylesafari.com
Thanks for linking up with us Stefanie! I always love to check out all your posts and spectacular style!
xo – Ana Luiza
Nice tips and suggestions Ana, you look great!
Rachel xo
http://garaytreasures.com
Thanks Rachel! Happy to hear you liked the post!
xo – Ana Luiza
I’d go with reducing all carb intake in the month leading up to beach time 🙂 that usually helps. And working out every single day, perhaps with extra cardio thrown in. Even if progress takes time, the mindset endorphins give is just amazing!! And speaking of spectacular, your B&W one piece is calendar pin-up worthy 🙂
Thank you for sharing Sheela! I have been working on my diet recently and am seeing changes in my mood, attitude, and body. I work long hours so getting to the gym every day is a struggle but I wish I had your amazing ability to work out daily.
As for the swimsuit. I really wanted to link it but I honestly cannot remember where it’s from 🙁
xo – Ana Luiza
A great post! You don’t have to be a VS model to wear bikini with confidence and style. I hate that society puts people under a magnifying glass and body shame just because they don’t look like they are from a magazine. You look beautiful Anna! Thanks for hosting the link up and have a great week!
xo Sheree
http://poshclassymom.com
IG: @Poshclassymom
Thank your Sheree! I love hearing from other people on this topic because it’s not often talked about in a positive way. Thank you for reading and sharing with me!
xo – Ana Luiza
These are great tips, I am very aware of my old lady body and need to just be more positive!
Thank you for hosting and hope you are having a fab week!
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
Thanks for your comment Alice! You are beautiful both inside and out!
xo – Ana Luiza
Very nice article! At 48 I still like wearing a bikini. I think it just takes time like you said and finding a suit flattering to onesself that one doesnt mind wearing and feels good in it. I like wearing a hat,, sunnies and maybe a cuff as it makes me feel a bit more fashionable at the beach. great tips!
Thanks for linking up wtih THT , jess xx
This is such a wonderful post! I love the message you are sending out & am obsessed with your bikini round up!
http://michellespaige.com