How to Look Good at the Beach

Co-authored by Hannah Park

Last Updated: March 4, 2021 References

What’s better than spending a day at the beach, relaxing in the sun, and dipping into the warm water? Looking good while you do it, of course! Choose a swimsuit that accentuates your body’s beauty and spend some time prepping your skin for the sun before heading out to the beach.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing a Swimsuit

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Choose a suit with wide straps and underwire if you are apple shaped. Look for suits that will provide enough support for your bust so you’ll be comfortable and fashionable while you’re at the beach. Opt for a suit with thick straps rather than string ties or no straps at all. Try to find a suit that has details at the waist line for added definition.^{[1]
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- Also look for high-cut legs if you are apple shaped to help accentuate your legs and lengthen your body.
2
Highlight your waist and curves if you have an hourglass shaped body. Make sure to choose a suit that has enough underwire or bust support if you need, and choose a suit that accentuates your waist to draw attention to your curvy, proportional figure.^{[2]
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- Skirted suits also look nice on the hourglass shaped body, as do suits with belts.
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3
Buy a solid-colored or vertically striped suit if you are petite. Choose a sporty one-piece suit to elongate your body. Vertical stripes will also create the illusion of elongating your torso. Look for suits that have high-cut legs to make your legs appear longer.^{[3]
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- Being “petite” generally means that you are 5’2” or under and that you have a smaller framed body.
4
Wear a color or pattern blocked suit if you are pear shaped. Look for a suit with a solid colored bottom and a brightly colored or patterned top. This will draw the eye up and will create a more balanced look between your shapely waist and your top.^{[4]
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- You could even get a two piece suit and mix and match the tops and bottoms to create different beach outfits. Focus on black or navy blue bottoms and then have fun choosing differently patterned tops!
5
Get a suit that creates curves if you are rectangular in shape. Choose suits with asymmetrical straps, ruffled tops, ruched waistlines, and horizontal stripes. These details will draw the eye and create the illusion of curves and will make your body look softer.^{[5]
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- Being rectangular in shape means that your body isn’t very curvy because your hips and waist are about the same size.
- Boy shorts also look good on people with a rectangular body shape.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Picking out Swim Shorts

1
Get short to mid-length shorts without long drawstrings if you are short. Avoid choosing shorts that are baggy or wide in the legs or ones that extend past your mid-thigh area. Longer shorts on shorter legs can make you look shorter than you actually are, as can long drawstrings.^{[6]
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- If you do find shorts you like but that have long drawstrings, try tying a bigger knot with them or even tucking them inside your shorts to keep them out of the way.
2
Choose longer shorts with a drawstring if you have a larger belly. Pick shorts that come below your mid-thigh or down to your knees to help elongate your body and pull attention away from your belly. Invest in shorts with a drawstring rather than ones with an elastic waist so you can adjust the waistband to fit more comfortably.^{[7]
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- Avoid any shorts labeled “tailored” or “tapered.”
3
Look for shorts that have wide legs if you have thick quads. Stay away from tailored or tapered shorts and choose ones that have either drawstrings or a relaxed elastic band. Board shorts are good options if you have wider legs as they tend to be roomier all the way through the legs.^{[8]
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- As far as length goes, feel free to wear short to mid to long shorts—whichever you feel the most comfortable in.
4
Buy short swim trunks if you are tall and lean. Accentuate your long legs and your torso by wearing shorter trunks when you’re at the beach. Try to choose a suit that has a pattern to provide some contrast from your body, and opt for a pair with drawstrings so you can adjust the waistband easily.^{[9]
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- Look for a 6 in (15 cm) inseam for your shorts.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Taking Care of Your Skin

1
Exfoliate your skin for a healthy glow. A few weeks before you start hitting the beach, add exfoliating into your skincare routine. When exfoliating, use a gentle, circular motion to slough off dead skin from your feet to your legs, and all the way up to your shoulders.^{[10]
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- Hydrating and exfoliating will help brighten your skin before you head off into the sun.
2
Take care of body hair by shaving, trimming, and waxing. Remove unwanted hair from your legs, armpits, and bikini area. You can shave these areas yourself, or book a waxing appointment. Try to shave, trim, or wax 2 to 3 days before you go to the beach so your skin will have time to heal from any irritation.^{[11]
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- After you shave, apply a moisturizing lotion to reduce irritation and the chance of pesky ingrown hairs appearing.
3
Apply self-tanner or get a spray tan to combat pasty skin. If you have pale skin or an uneven skin tone, invest in a good self-tanning lotion or oil or schedule an appointment for a spray-tan. When applying self-tanner, make sure to follow the instructions on the bottle for the best results. If you’re getting a spray-tan, schedule your appointment for several days before your first beach trip.^{[12]
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- Exfoliating before apply self-tanner helps remove dead skin and makes the application more even.
- Some well-reviewed self-tanners are: Tan-Luxe Wonder Oil, Sephora tinted self-tanning body mist, Banana Boat summer color self-tanning lotion, and the TanTowel to-go kit.
4
Moisturize your skin to get rid of flaky, dry patches. During the weeks preceding your beach trip, take a few minutes to apply moisturizing lotion to your entire body after each shower. Don’t forget to moisturize your feet, elbows, and knees, too!
- Visit your local drugstore or go to a salon to check out different moisturizers. Look up reviews online if you’re uncertain of which lotions are the best.
- Don’t forget to stay hydrated! Getting enough water helps hydrate your skin and keeps it looking healthy.
5
Treat cellulite through exercise and special lotions. Invest in a cellulite-reducing lotion 4-6 weeks before beach season, and apply it regularly after you shower. You can also start doing some targeted body-weight exercises to help tone up the affected areas.^{[13]
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- For body-weight exercises, implement them about 4 weeks before summertime and repeat them every other day for maximum results.
6
Hide spider veins with waterproof concealer. Apply a yellow or orange waterproof concealer overtop of spider veins to mask their appearance. Try to apply this before heading to the beach so it has time to dry. For a more permanent solution, you could even look into getting sclerotherapy done, which is an injection which helps clear up spider veins.^{[14]
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- After applying the concealer, check to make sure the makeup is blending in with the rest of your skin and that there are no obvious makeup lines.
7
Use cocoa butter to help reduce stretch marks. Apply cocoa butter or other topical oils to your stomach, sides, legs, and arms as needed after you shower. Make sure to stay hydrated, too, as water will help your skin heal. You can also apply waterproof makeup to your stretch marks before heading to the beach.^{[15]
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- Keep in mind that most people have stretch marks, whether just from growing, exercising, having children, or gaining weight. If you do have them, know you won’t be the only person at the beach with them!
8
Choose natural looking makeup, or go barefaced to the beach. Apply a tinted moisturizer with SPF to your face the morning before you go to the beach. The sun is good for your skin and can help clear up acne, too, so you don’t want to cover it up too much with concealer or foundation. If you regularly do your eyebrows, go ahead and still apply them before going to the beach to help you look fresh and awake.
- If you do want to wear eyeshadow and mascara, look for waterproof options so you don’t have to worry about your making getting smeared if you go into the water.
- If you’re worried about your skin getting too shiny while you’re out, apply some powder to your t-zone.
9
Remember to apply sunscreen before and during your trip. Apply a thick layer of sunscreen to your face and any area of your body that will be exposed to the sun. Start applying the sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you’re actually going to be in the sun for maximum protection. Refresh your sunscreen every 90 minutes, or sooner, if you go into the water and aren’t using waterproof sunscreen.^{[16]
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- When purchasing sunscreen, look for a broad-spectrum lotion or spray that protects against UV-A and UV-B rays. At a minimum, get SPF 15, though if you can, SPF 30 or 45 is recommended.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I look good in a bathing suit?

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Hannah Park is a professional stylist and personal shopper with experience in e-comm styling, celebrity styling and personal styling. She runs an LA-based styling company, The Styling Agent, where she focuses on understanding each individual she works with, and crafting wardrobes according to their needs.

Hannah Park

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Look for styles that are universally flattering. High-waisted swimsuit bottoms are flattering on a lot of women. It accentuates the tiniest part of your waist and slims your stomach. Suits with a dramatic plunge are also flattering for a lot of women.
Question

How do you make it look like you have boobs in a swimsuit?

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Hannah Park is a professional stylist and personal shopper with experience in e-comm styling, celebrity styling and personal styling. She runs an LA-based styling company, The Styling Agent, where she focuses on understanding each individual she works with, and crafting wardrobes according to their needs.

Hannah Park

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Certain styles can make your bust appear curvier. Look for an off-the-shoulder top to make your bust look bigger.
Question

My mom thinks it's weird that I feel like I should care about what I look like at the beach! Should I?

Community Answer

It is fine to care about how you look; just don't let it stop you from having fun.