It takes good fashion sense to look your best in a bathing suit. The secret is to know the styles that complement your figure and highlight your body’s best assets while drawing attention away from your less flattering parts.

IT is a big mistake to buy a swimsuit just because it’s cute or inexpensive. You should choose a swimsuit for the sole purpose of looking fabulous. Here are some tips:

If you have a small waist with few curves:

Go for: Bikini bottoms with details and embellishments such as belts, metal rings, ruffles, and bows. These extra trimmings, placed just around the right areas, will flatter and enhance your figure. One-piece suits with cutout designs, princess seams, or mesh inserts with a little sparkle will work nicely to enhance your figure.

Avoid: Overly simplified designs and dark one-piece suits.

If you have a long torso:

Go for: Cutout swimsuits are the most flattering swimwear for you. Try swimsuits with adornments such as jewels or rings positioned around the bust line and hips. These extra adornments will break up the vertical lines of your torso. A tankini will shorten a longer torso by also breaking up the midsection and drawing more attention to the legs as well. Always wear a bikini bottom that sits higher on your waist.

Avoid: Vertical stripes, high necklines and darker solid colors.

If you have full breasts:

Go for: Bikini tops with underwire or bottom bands for extra support as well as thicker stringy straps. Halter tops are highly recommended. They allow you to show off a little cleavage and make your shoulders look amazing. You can also try a one-piece with princess seams to help define your midsection.

Avoid: Strapless bandeau tops and tiny triangular tops.

If you are smaller on top:

Go for: Bikini tops with patterns, bright colors, adornments, fringes, or ruffles. Bandeau tops and triangular tops look fabulous on women with smaller breast sizes. It may be necessary to buy separate pieces to get the best fit. If you prefer a one-piece, try a lower cut V-neck suit.

Avoid: Tight-fitting tops that will flatten your chest area, or excessive padding which can lead to embarrassing situations. (SD-Agencies)

What’s hot

# One-pieces with cinched-in waists, sweetheart necklines and halters

# High-waist bottoms

# Playful prints — gingham checks, Hawaiian prints, nautical themes

# Shirred sides that accentuate the waist and hips

# Fuller-cupped tops and boy-legged bottoms

# Ruffled bikinis and ruffled swimsuits

# One-shoulder bikinis and swimsuits

# Statement strapping

Health Brainstorming

Keep sun safety in mind: experts

AS you enjoy outdoor activities this summer, don’t forget to keep sun safety in mind.

The sun on your skin may feel nice, but it brings certain risks. For example, people who had just one major sunburn when they were a child or teen have more than double the risk of developing melanoma, the most dangerous kind of skin cancer, later in life, according to the U.S. Skin Cancer Foundation.

Dermatologists at the University of Michigan Health System offer the following tips:

Try to avoid being in the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

If you do go out, try to stay in shade and wear protective clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Use a sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher with ingredients that protect against both UVB and UVA. While applying sunscreen, don’t forget to cover your ears, nose and tops of your feet.

Apply a sunscreen lip balm.

Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before exposure to the sun. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or more often if you’re swimming, sweating or have toweled off.

Don’t use sunscreen on babies aged 6 months or younger. Keep them out of direct sunlight and cover them with protective clothing and hats. Shade them with umbrellas or carrier/stroller covers.

(SD-Agencies)