Summer is just around the corner, and it's time to get your face and body ready for a bit of extraexposure.Before you peel off the polo top and knee high boots, check out Tempo's tips for
sunny-season beauty.

After months of cold rainy weather, it's easy to be forgiven for slacking off on the beauty front. Feet and toes are forgotten objects, as unappealing as Hobbit hooves. Stockings, leggings and boots have been disguising pale hairy legs. And after months under harsh indoor air-conditioning heat, skin is dry and clogged.With summer nearly here, the fashion stores are full of sandals, short dresses and sleeveless tops. So, how do you get sorted to wear these gorgeous styles?

Tempo trekked over to beach town Raglan, to get some beauty and hair tips from the experts.Bow St salon Essence has been open two years, just a minute's walk from the town's glistening blue harbour and beautiful black sand beaches.It's become a destination, not just for locals, but for day-trippers and tourists staying in Raglan.

"It's a place for a bit of time out and pampering," says owner Shannon Leuthart, who owns Essence with husband Chris. "Ladies can come here and hang out, while their guys go out fishing or surfing."

Although only about 20 per cent of customers are out-of-towners, during the summer months when holidaymakers descend on Raglan, those numbers double. Until a few years ago, there were not many options for women looking for a bit of pampering and beauty, but now the town has several options.

With the weather finally warming up, Leuthart says now is a good time to get beauty regimes sorted."If you want to look great for summer, now is a great time to get a new cut and colour, to get your skin prepared for summer, get your nails and feet ready for strappy sandals, and to get rid of all that unwanted hair."

It's a top to toe exercise.Starting with the head, Leuthart suggests those who like swimming a lot should invest in special after sun shampoo and moisturizing conditioner, and use a leave-in sun protection lotion of at least SPF18 on hair.

"Those who get really dry hair can use a hair mask, a conditioning treatment, over summer," says Leuthart. "It penetrates the hair and can help repair damaged hair. Even at the beginning of summer, it is a good idea to start out to prepare the hair for the sun and sea."

In terms of colour, subtle highlights herald summer, giving a sun-kissed look. Icy shades for blondes, and caramel shades for brunettes, are hot for summer. Tousled relaxed waves, and edgy layered cuts, with fringes, work well with a relaxed summer vibe.

Essence beautician and massage therapist Carlena Brown says that winter weather can take its toll on skin. "People don't realise how bad air-conditioning is on skin," says Brown. "It dries it and is dehydrating and can make skin feel dull."

To pep up sluggish skin, get exfoliating. "Just once a week is good, and if you skin is oilier, twice a week, but see how your skin goes. You don't want to use anything too harsh, or you will make skin worse," says Brown. "If you have sensitive skin, use a delicate exfoliator."

To get skincare right, use a daily three step process of cleansing, toning and moisturising skin. "Moisturize, especially if you are feeling dehydrated. You have to get the right kind of moisturizer to suit your skin type. If you have oily skin, but use a dry skin product, which is thicker, it can block skin up even more," says Brown, who says skin can change over time, depending on age and lifestyle.

She recommends going to a beauty salon for advice. A trained beautician can look at skin under a lens, to examine pores, skin texture and colour, and diagnose treatment or types of product to use.A facial treatment can help get skin off to a good start. "It's a nice way to start summer, and feel relaxed," says Brown.

The clinic uses a mineral skin care range, Geoskinscare, developed in Hamilton. The range uses minerals from geothermal regions of New Zealand, with pure botanical extracts and oils, and is free of parabens, alcohol and artificial colours or fragrances. They use recycled packaging and vegetable dyes for printing, and don't test on animals.

Brown says one of the most important tips, especially in New Zealand, is wearing SPF15 or greater everyday, and moisturizing skin morning and night.The salon has been busy in recent weeks with waxing, as people get their bodies swimsuit ready. "It's guys as well as girls too," says Brown. "It's a changing world. Look at the All Blacks these days, and the way they care about how they look compared to past All Blacks. Things have changed for men."

The salon offers chest waxes from $45, and upper or lower back waxes from $35, depending on the amount and type of hair. Bikini waxes are popular for summer, and a full Brazilian will set you back $60.

Brown says, don't forget to pamper tootsies too. "Nothing says summer as much as brightly coloured toes in sandals." A pedicure, involving a relaxing foot soak, dead skin removal, filing, foot massage and polish is a smart start for those who want to step out in cute summer sandals and jandals, and costs $60 for an hour deluxe treatment.

For a DIY pedicure at home, set up a warm foot bath, grab a towel, some pumice and treat your feet.Tempo's favourite colours for toes are deep scarlets and paprika reds, which liven up summer sandals. Pink and flirty are also cute (in cherry, candyfloss or coral shades), and classic French manicures are back in vogue. Trend setters will want to go for fiery tangerines, bright turquoise blue or deep purple. Gold and bronze shades look great with golden glowing summer skin.

TRY THIS:Tempo got pampered at Essence with a classic facial and one-hour massage, a great way to shake off the winter blues. The one-hour facial, at an introductory special of $45, was divine and relaxing, targeting areas of stress, including neck, shoulders and legs. A wild rose Tui massage wax, developed in Takaka in the South Island, was used, which smelt great and wasn't greasy.

The salon has a one-hour classic facial, $70, which includes a mask and facial massage. Brown used Geoskincare products, which had an earthy silica smell and felt great, including a light cleansing milk and delicate exfoliator containing jojoba beads. Two masks were applied on the face, to target the different t-zone areas; on stressed areas, a manuka honey mask was used, while an avocado and grape seed mask was applied on drier areas of skin, around the cheek. A facial massage helped to release stress and stimulate the skin, and a moisturizing hydrogel and lime lip balm were applied. I left feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.

PRODUCTS:Goeskincare, a natural New Zealand mineral-based range, developed in Hamilton. It is 100 per cent paraben free and uses recycled packaging. See www.geoskincare.com for more information.

- Daily cleansing milk, $30.
- Skin tonic, $32.
- Light moisturizer, $32.
- Delicate exfoliator, $35.
- Manuka honey mask, $37.

For summer hair care, Wella System Professional products may be an option for beach lovers. Refresh shampoo, Sunset express creame (repair and conditioner), and Sunshine lotion (SPF18 protection), $30 each.