Beauty and the Beach – Look stylish on your next Akumal Beach Vacation!

City weekends and mountain getaways have their charm, but nothing spells relaxation and fun like a beach vacation.

So if you’re heading to the stunning beaches of Akumal, Mexico this summer, it’s time to ensure you are ready to bare some skin! Don’t fret. Here’s our get-gorgeous guide to ensure you turn heads on the beach this spring-break:

1. Look Beach-Ready – Exercise and Eat Healthy

If you have been postponing your workout plans, now is a good to start making healthier choices. You’ll feel and look better. Walk more, enroll yourself in the gym, lace up your running shoes and switch to healthier eating. Increase your intake of fresh foods and skip the processed stuff. Drinking lots of water is also a must for a better body.

2. Give Your Skin a Good Scrub & Moisturize

Scrubbing your skin is key for looking beach-ready. A smooth and a polished body looks much healthier and nicer in a swimsuit. So say goodbye to dry skin and exfoliate your body from head-to-toe at least once a week. Follow it up with a good moisturizer for that super soft and glowing skin. You will be envied!

3. Swimsuits

Whether a skimpy bikini or a more conservative one-piece, the swimsuit is of utmost importance when it comes to making a style statement on the beach. You could go for a strapless bandeau (Yes! They are HOT this season!) with frilled tops and busy patterns. You could also opt for cut-out swimsuits or monokinis that are great for showing off your curves. For the more conservative sun-worshipers, the 50’s inspired high-waisted bikinis are an absolute winner. What’s hot: Bright colors, wild animal prints (leopard prints in all shades, zigzagging zebra patterns and even foxy giraffe prints), sporty silhouettes and geometric patterns.

Invest in a stylish bikini for lounging and chilling around on the beach and an active, sporty one such as a tankini or a one-piece to indulge in all the water activities like scuba diving, snorkeling etc that the Mexico beaches have to offer. Don’t just buy for trend, buy one that suits your body type and flatters your figure. Go flaunt!

4. Cover-ups

Not only are cover-ups a stylish solution to protecting your body from the sun but they are also essential for walking to and from the beach, shopping as well as for dining and drinks. They can be in the form of a sarong, mini-skirt, tunic, beach dress or kaftan. You can tie it around your waist, create a halter dress or a long skirt. Some interesting cover-up styles are pullovers, both short and long, some of which can easily double as a dress, pull-on pants, shrugs or pareos.  Pareo is a spunky skirt that you can wrap around your hips. These are available in various lengths ranging from minis to ankle-length, so pick what you like!

5. Use Sun Protection

Keep your skin protected & healthy by making sure you use sunscreen regularly before hitting the beach. Opt for a sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB rays. Go for SPF 30 (or ideally, higher) and remember to re-apply every time you come back out of the water.

6. Makeup

No one wants to sport cakey make-up on the beach. It can look quite trashy. The key to sophisticated beach make-up is to keep it light. As long as you keep it subtle, there’s no reason to not wear makeup on the beach. Use a light water-proof mascara for your eyes and water-proof eye-liners in fun colors like bright purple, tropical green and electric blue.

Using foundation for a day out on the beach is a major faux-pas. It tends to melt away in the heat making you look washed-out. If you must use concealer, opt for a lightweight tinted moisturizer instead. You can also enhance your eyes by wearing sheer, creamy eye shadows.

Instead of lipstick, use a tinted lip balm that will add color and also hydrate your lips. You can also use a cream cheek blush to get that added glow. Just keep your make-up subtle, playful and flirty.

Use bright shades of nail paint for that flawless beachy look.

7. Beach Dresses

These can be worn separately or in combination with a fashionable swimsuit. Form-fitting dresses in transparent materials like chiffon, jersey and mesh or knitted and woven fabrics look hot! Beach dresses in bright and neon colors with floral, exotic and animal prints or stripes are sure to make an impact! With these, you can easily transition from the beach to dinner or a beach bar. Go grab yourself one quick!

8.  Accessories

The key to being stylish at the beaches is to mix and match and accessorize! The must-have beach accessories are a chic tote, oversized sunglasses, a water-proof watch, a large straw hat, big earrings, lots of colorful bracelets and neckpieces.

9. Footwear

Invest in a good pair of shoes that will not only look stylish but also protect your feet from the hot sand. Flip-flops are the best option both for long walks on beach in Akumal. They are easy to slip on and take off and are shoes that you won’t mind getting wet. You could also opt for gladiator sandals or even slides. Paint your toenails a bright summer color like a shade of bright yellow or orange.

Last but not the least, while on the beach, stand up straight and with confidence.  Always remember, nothing is more sexy than confidence!