Yep, it’s that time of year again - time for strappy dresses and shoes, mini skirts and shorts, and barely-there bikinis. Scary right? Not if you tick off this ten-step checklist to a new summer-ready you …

1 - Kick-Start Yourself

If you can’t remember the last time you ate a salad or pulled out your gym card, body boot camp starts now. “In an ideal world, we’d lock ourselves up in a health farm for a week,” says Natalie Bloom, owner of Bloom Cosmetics. “But it’s easy enough to do a mini detox yourself. Key is to stay motivated so start by making a few easy changes, such as drinking a liver-cleansing warm water flavoured with lemon juice every morning, and going for a quick walk each day.”

If you need some hand-holding, see a nutritionist for an eating plan, or book a short course with a personal trainer. “I tell models to mix yoga with a bit of cardio,” says makeup artist Linda Jeffeyres, who has worked on countless swimsuit and lingerie campaigns. “And the quickest way to lose those excess winter kilos is to eat raw and preservative-free foods. You don’t need to starve, you just need to eat well.”

Jeffeyres spoils herself pre-spring with a salon exfoliation and seaweed wrap, two detoxifying treatments that get the nod of approval from Kylie Hayden, manager of the Joh Bailey Day Spa in Myer Sydney City. “If you can’t afford the treat yourself regularly, make sure to dry body brush each day,” says Hayden. “It works to stimulate a sluggish lymph system, so is wonderful for working out winter toxins.”

2 - Make Some Smooth Moves

There’s nothing like a big body scrub session for literally shedding winter layers. “Exfoliating away dead skin cell build-up is essential for not only smoothing the skin, but also for preparing it for body creams, treatments and fake tan,” says Hayden, who advises scrubbing weekly. Bloom, on the other hand, is a “scrub addict - I go through a tub a week!” Bloom uses her own concoction ($25), a blend of sea salt and essential oils. “The salt gives you real scrub satisfaction as well as having therapeutic benefits, while the oils mean you’ll never strip skin dry.” Great Buy: Kit Body Scrub in Pomegranate & Pink Grapefruit ($29 from Kit).

3 - Be a Big Softie

Your post-winter body is scalier than your last-season snakeskin pumps. How to slither out of your old skin? “Exfoliating will help smooth skin, but it’s moisturiser that makes skin lovely and supple,” says Hayden. Bloom recommends creams rich in essential oils and shea butter, layered over a body oil when extra moisturising help is needed. “You ideally want to moisturise every day,” she says. “So whatever you use, make sure you can afford to apply it generously every day or night.” Feet not quite in flip-flop-shape? “Slather on a foot cream or balm and slip on some sockettes before going to bed,” recommends Hayden. “The heat will help infuse the cream and you’ll wake up with baby-soft feet.” Great Buy: Lancôme Nutrix Royal Body ($60, from department stores).

4 - Fight the Fuzz

For most of us, the sight of spring frocks on the racks is enough to make our hairy legs shake in our knee-high boots. And then there are the clever ones - those women who spent winter having a series of laser hair removal sessions. “It’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen in my life!” says Bloom. “I’ve only done six sessions and have at least a 60% reduction in hair.” Laser-convert Jeffeyres agrees; “it’s the best beauty investment out there.”

If you have a low pain threshold, however, laser work may not be for you - both Bloom and Jeffeyres concede it’s “excruciating.” In this instance, shaving is the best option for legs. “Models mostly shave because it’s the quickest way to get a smooth look,” says Jeffeyres, who notes that shaving with a body oil gives an even better result. “Never shave the bikini line,” warns Hayden. “If you don’t do laser, waxing here is the next best option. Just make sure you exfoliate the area regularly to limit the likelihood of ingrowns.”

5 - Take A Firm Stance

Unless you’ve been hitting the ski tracks this past winter, chances are your legs are feeling on less than solid ground. Exercise and eating well will drain toxins from the body and trim away many excess winter kilos, but if cellulite is particular concern, you may want to take more targeted action. Hayden recommends booking in for a salon session both for motivation and for learning some massage techniques. “We have a Phytomer anti-cellulite treatment here at the day spa,” she says. “It’s basically a butt facial. A self-heating mud is applied to the thighs and butt to help break down cellulite, and this is followed by a vigorous massage which helps bring oxygenated blood to the clusters of fat cells.”

Hayden is quick to note it’s not an instant fix-it; “you need to make lifestyle changes: eat well, drink water, exercise, massage your thighs daily - “all the things we already know.” Great Buy: Chanel Précision Firming and Shaping Gel Anti-Cellulite ($91, from department stores).

6 - Make More Time for Massage

If any winter weight gain has resulted in stretch marks, massage may also be beneficial in these areas of the body. “If stretch marks are in the purple stage, working in an oil or a cream containing aloe vera or vitamin E can give you good results,” says Hayden. “Unfortunately, if your stretch marks are white, there’s nothing you can do. The tissue has been irreversibly torn.” Nevertheless, Hayden is quick to add a silver lining; “By massaging stretch-mark-prone areas, you’ll prevent future ones from forming.” Great Buy: Clarins Stretch Mark Control ($66, from department stores).

7 - See Things Clearly

The butt isn’t the only thing that’s out-of-sight-out-of-mind in winter. The back can also surface from hibernation in less than show-off shape. Back breakouts - also known as backne - may be caused by poor exfoliation in this area or by being stifled under heavy layers. So, lighter clothes and a focus on all-over pampering may fix the problem. You may also want to invest in a treatment product specifically for body breakouts; salicylic acid-based formulations work to chemically exfoliate blocked pores and keep skin clear.

For persistent problems, Hayden suggests booking in for a back facial. “Most salons offer the same skin-clearing treatments for the back as for the face,” she says. “We cleanse and steam, do extractions, and apply a mask. We can also consult with the client about what lifestyle issues may be contributing to the breakouts.” Great Buy: Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Body Treatment Spray ($40, from department stores).

8 - Learn to Fake it

At the Azzolini show at Rosemount Australia Fashion Week earlier this year, models not only showed off a variety of sexy swimsuit styles - but also of sexy skintones. “That whole heavily tanned look is really old - unless you’re naturally dark already,” says Jeffeyres, the makeup artist for the show. “We asked models to only tan a shade or two darker than their natural colour - just enough to look glowing and healthy.” Call it the gradual-tanner effect - those half-tan-half-moisturiser concoctions that are fast becoming the preferred way to fake it. They’re a cinch to apply - you simply slather on as you would a body lotion - and they’re much less likely to streak or splodge than a regular self-tanner.

Nevertheless, one old rule still stands; “With any fake tan, you must make sure you completely exfoliate before applying it,” says Jeffeyres, who sent all of the Azzolini models to a salon for a sea salt scrub. “You should also do any shaving the day before, as shaving also has an exfoliating effect and will undo all your tanning work.” Great Buy: L’Oréal Paris Body Expertise NutriSummer 24Hr Moisturising Lotion ($14.95, from pharmacies)

9 - Or Make It Up

“I personally feel a bit suffocated if I wear a self-tanner,” says Natalie Bloom, who sells body tints and shimmers for women who prefer a temporary bronzed tint. “Body makeup is a spring and summer must,” agrees Jeffeyres, whose kit is always stocked with several shades of M.A.C Face & Body Foundation ($60). “It’s a great way to match your décolletage to your face, and to give legs colour quickly. Not to mention hiding any blemishes like bruises and spider veins.”

Jeffeyres is also never without a variety of body shimmers. “Clarins, MAC, Scott Barnes and Sally Hansen all do great shimmer sprays, mousses and dusts,” she says. “My favourite summer look right now is to brush a golden or bronze shimmer down the shins - it has a highlighting effect and gives lower legs a really sexy definition.” Great Buys: Guerlain Terracotta Spray Bronzing Powder Mist, $80, Elizabeth Arden Bronzing Shimmer Powder in Golden, $54 (both from department stores).

10 - Add the Finishing Touch

Treating yourself to new shoes and pedicure may just be what you need to put the spring in your step. At the very least, slick on a brightly coloured nail polish, says Bloom, whose ‘tangerine’ lacquer is one of her top-selling warm-weather shades.

Also apply some colour therapy to your face. “A skin illuminiser is the perfect spring pick-me-up,” says Jeffeyres. “I also love buying a new blush for spring. Bobbi Brown has a particularly great range for now, in gorgeous shades of coral and copper.” Jeffeyres adds that metallic is still shining for spring and beyond. “If you want to really brighten yourself up, add some shimmer to your base, some peach on your lips and cheeks, a little mascara, some gold dust around the eyes, and you’re off.” Great Buy: Benefit That Gal Brightening Face Primer ($51, from department stores)

* This article first appeared in Emporium magazine.