I love the party season… Cocktails, canapés, and packed dance floors… What I’m not so keen on, however, is revealing my body in party dresses after a couple of months hibernating under thick knits… The thought of rising hemlines and plunging necklines is sending shivers down my spine – and it isn’t just the freezing temperatures…

To prepare, I have been following a strict action plan to get my skin ready for skimpy party wear. If you are equally unenthusiastic about donning your finest, why not join me?

1 – EXFOLIATE. The first step should always be exfoliation. Body scrubs will – quite literally – wake your skin up from its winter slumber. By gently removing the top later of dead skin, the overall appearance of skin becomes brighter, more radiant, and more even-toned – and as an added bonus, it feels softer and smoother too! I love Crabtree & Evelyn’s Natural Lemongrass & Brown Sugar Body Scrub, £15.36, which boasts a fabulously uplifting scent and contains oodles of Lemongrass Oil, Shea Butter, and Almond Oil to lace skin in velvety softness.

2 – HYDRATE. Keep up the good work with an application of rich body oil. For best results, apply it to skin immediately after climbing out the bath or shower, which will lock moisture into skin. For winter months, I’m a big fan of Occo Raiyia No.6 Bath & Body Oil, £25, which contains a sweet, but spicy blend of almond, ginger, peach, and bergamot oil. It’s deliciously warming on the coldest mornings!

3 – TAN. If skin is looking a bit pasty – and that’s a decent description of my skin for 12 months of the year – it’s time to dig out those bottles of fake tan! Wait 24 hours after applying the body oil (to allow the product to nourish skin and soften rough areas) and then apply the self-tan evenly for a natural-looking golden glow. I love Clarins Delectable Self Tanning Mousse, £20, which has an ultra-indulgent texture that melts into skin on application.

4 – HIGHLIGHT. Finally, pull on that party frock – and add the finishing touches! The easiest way to highlight skin is with a shimmer product, such as St Tropez Wash Off Instant Shimmer Stick, £14.10. The blend of natural waxes is designed specifically to highlight a tan. Run the stick over your shoulders and décolletage for an alluring glow – and then down the length of both chin bones to give the impression of longer, leaner pins. (nb – make sure you do this after getting dressed, as otherwise it’ll be your dress wearing the sparkle and not your skin!).
Enjoy!