7 swimsuit season secrets you’ll swear by

By Brittany Anas 

We thought Animal Planet was going to reveal some super-secret evidence that mermaids were real with the network’s documentary Mermaids: The New Evidence that aired recently. Turns out, the half-human, half-mystical sea creature never existed.

Were you let down, too? Well, we can’t change history to prove under-the-sea humanoids were actually real — but we can channel our inner Ariel and dish some aquatic secrets of our own.

Here are seven swimsuit season secrets to swear by:

Hand-wash your swimsuit. Your swimsuit should never take a swim in your washing machine. Even on a gentle cycle, a washing machine breaks down the Lycra and can ruin your built-in bra. (Read: Your, ahem, support system won’t be there for you). To get the chlorine out of your suit, use a “delicate” detergent, such as Woolite, and soak it in a sink for 15 to 30 minutes. Wring out the water and hang dry your suit indoors. If you dry it in a dryer or outdoors, the suit can lose its shape and fade and turn into a shapeless pastel blob.

Shop Old Navy. The store is like a treasure trove for bathing suits. They’re definitely affordable: Bikini tops and bottoms are on sale beginning at $9.50 a piece right now. They come in a wide range of sizes and are sold in separates, too. Old Navy suits also have some tricks: Ruffles to enhance smaller busts, halter tops to provide support for larger chests, shirring on tankinis to hide tummies and one-pieces that show us bikinis aren’t the only sexy suit style.

Buy online. Think about it for a second. When you buy online, nobody else has tried on the suit before you. You can try the bathing suit on in the comfort of your own home where your view won’t be distorted by dim dressing room lighting. Get coupons and Cash Back offers at your fave stores through ShopAtHome.com.

Sport a pajama top. A lightweight pajama top can double as a swimsuit cover-up. Perhaps you already have one. If not, check out this super-soft cotton breezy top in white from Victoria’s Secret.

Look for reversible swimsuits. Trending this spring is a bathing suit style that will delight you budget-savvy fashionistas. We’re seeing lots of reversible suits, which is basically like a buy-one-get-one free deal. We are eyeing this ‘French Flamenco’ reversible bikini bottom from Nordstrom.

Freeze up some aloe vera ice cubes. It’s one thing to get kissed by the sun. But, when the rays give you a burn, be prepared with some soothing aloe vera ice cubes in your cooler. Squeeze aloe vera into an ice cube tray — we found festive star-shaped, heart-shaped and fish-shaped ones from Forever 21 — and freeze the tray overnight.

Be confident. Just remember this: All of those swimsuit models and magazine covers have been airbrushed by some of the best artists in the industry. Shave your legs, do some crunches, slap on sunblock and rock your swimsuit.

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