Summer Season can be a time for basking in the summer heat. Prior to enjoying the weather many women go through the panic phase of shopping for swimsuits.

We expose more skin during the summer season than any other season which often leads us critiquing ourselves as if we are entering a beauty pageant.

Men, beer bellies and all have no problem dusting off the red Speedos while we try to do everything possible to cover up our perceived flaws.

The first thing you need to do when shopping for a swimsuit is to ease the tension. This can be done by practicing your mirror face before shopping. You know what face I’m talking about. It’s the contorted horrific looking face you make after trying on anything from a skirt to a swimsuit and when you look in the mirror your face takes on the appearance of someone who is both equally shocked and horrified at how the item of clothing appears on your body.

Some critical poses to practice are:

The Does My Backside Really Look Like That?
Stand straight with your back facing the mirror. Turn your head slightly to the left so you can see your behind. Start first with just a glance. Progress to a look of surprise and then shock, as you squint your eyes hoping that it will help your back side look smaller. Open your mouth just a little turning up one side in a part grim, part “oh my goodness is that my rearview.”

Rolls-Not just for Dinner Anymore
Sit comfortably on a chair facing the mirror as straight as possible. Notice how much flatter your tummy area looks. Now slouch and notice the rolls that appear. You have two choices at this point; make a mirror face or have fun with it, alternating between straight and slouchy postures. You can also stand up at this point and turn to the side and do what I like to call “The Hitchcock” Make your belly protrude, than suck it in as quick as possible. Done rapidly, it somewhat resembles a belly dancer. And if they look fantastic and you resemble a belly dancer…in my book that makes you fantastic too!

O Wherefore Art Thou Breasts?
This is a great one to do to reminisce about the past. Standing in front of the mirror hands at your side, notice the position of your breasts. Lift arms to the side and overhead for a walk down memory lane, where they used to be when you were 20. This one always makes me giggle and is also a great party trick. When shopping for swim suits to achieve the same look as your arms lifted, you can either tie the straps really, really tight, or go with a pushup bikini top.

So get out your mirror and practice, and while you practice have a good laugh too see how over exaggerated you can contort your face, this will save you precious time in the change room as you’ll already have your poses figured out.

The whole point of this exercise is to have fun, not to discourage you so grab your girlfriends and make a day of it. Life’s too short to be taken seriously, even if it is bikini season. So embrace yourself, love yourself in a few short months summer shall pass.