We are in the middle of one hot summer, which means bathing suits, shorts, skirts and sundresses. Or does it? If you’re feeling uneasy about baring your legs, trust me, you are not alone! Call it cottage cheese, bumps, or cellulite, everyone has it in varying degrees, but what is it and how can we get rid of it?Â
Cellulite is a topographic skin change that occurs in most postpubertal women and presents as a modification of skin topography evident by skin dimpling and nodularity that occurs mainly on the pelvic region, lower limbs, and abdomen, and is caused by the herniation of subcutaneous fat within fibrous connective tissue, leading to a padded or orange peel–like appearance. – Wikipedia
Experts stand by the following tricks to help diminish and disguise those darn dimples:
 1. Exercise!
You knew this would be #1, didn’t you? “Strong muscles make cellulite less obvious,” says Lacey Stone, who has worked with Nicole Kidman. The perfect exercise? Squats. Just squeeze in squats to the area while watching your favorite program on TV.
Standing with feet shoulder-width apart, stick your butt out as you bend your knees to a sitting position; hold for two seconds and repeat 15 time. Do this three days per week for best results.
2. D.I.Y. Massage
“Massage boosts circulation and plumps the skin, creating a smoother look that lasts for days,” says Shelley Bawiec, director of spa education for Aveda. Bawiec’s fast D.I.Y. technique: In the shower, apply a body scrub like Olay Total Effects Body Wash, Exfoliate & Replenish, $9.50 for 15.2 oz., in vigorous, sideways back-and-forth motions.
After you have dried off, use a body oil, such as Neutrogena Body Oil, Light Sesame Formula, $10.99 for 8.5 oz., for a two minute deep massage. First, smooth your palms in long fluid strokes down the backs of your thighs then use fingers to apply gentle pressure in slow, circular motions.
3. Double up on self-tanner
Celebrity faux-tanner Jimmy Choo, whose clients include Kim Kardashian, swears by a two-layer technique. First apply a self-tan lotion, such as L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion, $9.99 for 5 oz., only to bumpy areas followed by misting your entire body with a self-tan spray like, St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mist, 8 fl oz for $40.00. “The contouring has a slimming effect that lasts for several days,” he says.
4. Pretend you’re a Victoria’s Secret model
Victoria’s Secret models don’t have cellulite, or do they? According to makeup artist Stephanie Flor, who preps the brand’s runway shows says they get a little help, “If you attract light to the rest of the legs, cellulite is less obvious.” Try dusting a shimmery bronzer like NYC Color Wheel Mosaic Face Powder, All Over Bronze Glow, $4.99, down the front of your legs. For medium or dark skin tones, use a body oil instead.
5. Miracle creams
Sadly, a potion still does not exist to magically make cellulite disappear, but certain ingredients can help tighten skin to give it a more toned appearance. Use a firming body lotion every day that has biotin and Coenzyme Q10 to help boost production of collagen and over time, your skin will look smoother. A good choice is Nivea Skin Firming Moisturizer with Q10, $9.99 for 13.5 oz.
Hopefully there’s still enough summer left that you won’t think twice about keeping cool in those shorts.
Photo credit: danivenn
