We'll just say it again: you must, must wear sunscreen, especially if you know you'll be outdoors. Use at least an SPF 30 for prolonged exposure, and be sure to reapply every couple hours and whenever you come out of the water and towel off. Check out these top-rated sunscreens or take this quiz to find your ideal product.

If you're wearing sunscreen correctly, then you won't be getting any color from the sun. But that doesn't mean you have to look pasty all season. Use a gradual tanning lotion, like Coppertone Gradual Tan Moisturizing Lotion, $8.99, to build color or use a self-tanner like Bare Escentuals Faux Tan Sunless Tanner, $22 to get faster results. (These tips will help you get the perfect application.)

Summer is officially sandal season (at least to us!). And that means your toes will be on display. Keep them -- and your hands -- looking flawless with regular manicures and pedicures. You don't have to go to a salon though, just follow this how-to guide.

You can also take the easy way out and try CND Creative Nail Design SpaPedicure Mini Tote, $60 for an everything-you-need kit, just add a cute file (like Tweezerman Zip File, $5.50) to shape nails to perfection. No matter what method you choose, finish up with a fun polish (brights are "in" this year), try CND Creative Nail Design Nail Lacquer, $5.49, in Hot Pop Yellow or Tutti Frutti.

The last thing you want when baring it all on the beach is a stray hair (or 20). Check out this hair removal guide for tips on getting stubble-free. And for extra smooth skin, try using a body scrub (like CND Creative Nail Design Almond Moisture Scrub, $11.99) before shaving to get rid of dead skin cells and prep hair to be shaved.

The down side to all of the necessary hair removal is, of course, nasty (and painful!) ingrown hairs. To prevent shaving irritation, use a pre-shave oil (try The Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil, $18) to soften and protect skin. To help further prevent ingrowns after waxing or shaving, use a treatment containing alpha hydroxy acids daily to exfoliate and kill bacteria (try Bliss Ingrown Eliminator Peeling Pads, $38). Finally, remove ingrowns safely with this tool (instead of your fingers): Tweezerman Ingrown Hair/Splinter Tweeze, $14.