Crunches since Christmas, 15 collective hours spent searching for the bathing suit that makes your boobs the highest, your butt the roundest, and your stomach the flattest they can be. Not to mention the pretty penny on beautiful bronzers and luminescent tinted moisturizers. And you’re still not done.

Now that you’ve dedicated such time and money to the cause of summer radiance and are all suited up, you can barely see yourself in the mirror for the blinding glare of your white belly reflected back at you. The bruise on your thigh is a nasty reminder of that drunken ride at the rodeo bar last weekend, and the shadows from your butt cellulite seem a touch exaggerated in this lighting.

It’s time to take this project to the next level. One choice is a good self-tanner like Jergens Natural Glow or a tinted lotion like Body Bling by Scott Barnes or DuWop by Bath and Body Works. They even out the skin tone, add a little summer shimmer, and make imperfections a little less imperfect. A self-tanner will last longer and will leave you free to frolic in the deep end. A tinted moisturizer will add a nice glow for chillin out maxin relaxin.

Another choice for those bruises, spider veins, and other unsightliness, try an actual body makeup. Spray-on is super easy like Sally Henson’s Airbrush Legs or a liquid like MAC’s Face and Body Foundation. Either choose a color to match your skin tone and spot conceal, or go a touch deeper and cover the entire skin surface to blend. Take care, waterproof might not be an option.

Or just screw it. Sometimes slightly imperfect is unique, pretty and approachable. Whatever you choose, take care to avoid the orange hues…