Swimsuit Shopping Primer

You hate the thought of seeing your body in a pale and overexposed state. It's enough to make you want to skip summer. So let's face the facts: Swimsuit shopping is never going to be fun. But there are a few tips that you can follow to make it less torturous.

• Apply a bronzer or a self-tanner before you go. The extra color will give your complexion a bit of a boost.

• Bring a friend who will be honest with you. Isn't it better to have a friend nearby to critique the suits instead of the store's staff?

• Ignore size! If you normally wear a 10, you might wear an 8 in some brands and a 12 in others. Focus on how the suit looks on you and not on the tag size.

• You can usually return swimsuits. So if you think you like one but aren't 100% sure about it, buy it anyway. Wait a few days and try it on again in the comfort of your own home (and in front of your own mirror). The pressure will be gone, the lighting will be better, and you're more likely to make a better decision about whether or not you should keep it or return it. Just be sure to find out what the store's return policy is before you buy the suit.

• Be realistic. Don't expect a suit to perform miracles. No suit will entirely get rid of that protruding tummy or make your bust look a size bigger. Instead, look for a bathing suit that plays up your best features or minimizes your least favorite ones.

Overall, comfort is the most important feature. Half the battle of looking good in a bathing suit is feeling comfortable and confident when so much of you is exposed. Don't buy a suit that isn't you or makes you want to grab that cover-up. Suits like that will only spend more time in your dresser and less time on the beach!