China, Russia ‘semi-alliance’ to launch drills in S.China Sea

The Chinese Ministry of Defense announced Thursday that China and Russia will launch a joint military drill in the South China Sea in September, a move observers say shows the two countries have formed a "semi-alliance" in the face of an increasingly assertive US.
"This is a routine drill between two military forces aimed at strengthening the developing China-Russia strategic cooperative partnership," said Yang Yujun, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense during a regular monthly press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
Even though Yang said the exercise is not directed against third parties, experts consider that the choice of location and the timing show the drill is aimed specifically at countering the increasing US military presence in the Asia-Pacific.
Shi Yinhong, director of the Center for American Studies at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times that "due to the great pressure Russia receives from the West in Europe, Moscow is becoming more motivated to having deeper strategic cooperation with Beijing at this moment. The drill is an obvious example in the military area."
Shi believes there is no denying that the US is the major strategic rival of both China and Russia. Under pressure from the US, China and Russia are moving their bilateral relationship to a semi-alliance level, Shi said.
Reinforce global stability
China and Russia are both permanent members of the UN Security Council with veto powers. The two countries have cooperated on many international issues in the past, including the Syria crisis and nuclear issue in both Iran and North Korea.
On June 26, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a joint statement in Beijing which aims to reinforce global strategic stability. Experts believe that the military drill in the South China Sea in September is an action based on that statement.
The joint statement makes clear that China and Russia want strategic stability. As both countries believe the US is encroaching on the geopolitical balance in the region, it is only natural for the two nations to stand together, Shi said.
Song Zhongping, a Beijing-based military expert, said the drill's location also shows a strong signal to countries that are trying to get involved in the South China Sea issue militarily.
In 2015, the China-Russia joint military drill was in the Sea of Japan; in 2014, in the East China Sea.
"It's very clear that both countries will pick a hot spot region to launch a drill … this year China and Russia both agreed that to have the drill in the South China Sea has a specific political aim," Song said
Timing coincidental
In September 2016, the G20 Summit will be held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, while the ASEAN Summit will also take place in Vientiane Laos, but experts stressed that the timing of the drill has nothing to do with these events.
Rather, said Song, it is based on the season and weather conditions rather than diplomatic reasons. In September, conditions in the South China Sea are ideal for the exercises.
Shi believes that "Chinese and Russian military forces will avoid the G20 Summit due to the sensitiveness of the timing."
On the specific military aims of the drill, Song considers that the two navies will focus on traditional naval battle craft, such as anti-submarine and anti-aircraft missions, but the drill will be bigger in scale than last year's.
Infrastructure on South China Sea islands might also be used during the drill, Song said.
"The Yongxing Island airport in the Xisha Islands can be used for military aircraft, but others in the Nansha Islands are not ready yet," he noted. 

How to Choose a Corset

There are so many corsets and corset tops that it can be difficult to tell which are high quality and which aren't. This how-to will teach you what to look for in a corset and hopefully stop you from getting ripped off.

Steps

1. If you decide that you want a real shaper, not just a bodice, you will need to look at the boning. All good quality modern corsets are made with steel boning of some kind, which serves the purpose of holding the fabric taut and stopping it from going into folds at your waist and bunching at the back where it laces up. The boning in tops and bodices is usually just thin plastic, so don't make the mistake of imagining you will be able to wear a normal boned top as a corset. •To test if the boning is good enough, bend it quite sharply and it should spring back. If it kinks, it's a sure sign that it will dig in to your waist and be very uncomfortable.
•It doesn't matter if the boning around the corset is slightly more flexible, so long as the bones at the front and back are fairly rigid.

2. Next examine the fabric. Even if you're looking for more of a bodice than a corset, you'll still need a strong fabric like coutil, drill, heavyweight, or canvas. Corsets usually have a fashion fabric and a lining, so you might not be able to see the strong layer but you will be able to feel that it is quite tough. •Take the corset in both hands and tug on the fabric. It should feel very sturdy with no give whatsoever. If the fabric is thin enough to scrunch in your hand, it won't be sturdy enough.
•Incidentally, if the shop assistant thinks you're damaging it, it definitely won't be strong enough to last!

3. Check out the fastenings. Remember that a steel busk is the usual fastening for the front of a corset, and with very few exceptions it's the only type of fastener that is strong enough. •Hooks and eyes will not last long, and likewise zips are best avoided.
•A busk looks like a piece of fairly solid steel boning with loops and studs (a bit like hooks and eyes) attached. If a corset doesn't have a busk, it will need to have some other kind of solid boning down the front.

4. Look at the laces down the back of the corset. These are usually made of flat cotton, like shoelaces. Some types of ribbon can be used, but they have to be very strong material. Eyelets should be very well attached, otherwise they can pop off easily. •Check that the laces have washers on the back, rather than just gripping into the fabric. There should also be solid boning either side of the eyelets to distribute the tension.

5. Know that style and fit of a corset can be the biggest issue especially if you are an unusual shape. Corsets are always sized by waist measurement, not dress size. The number on the label will be something like "22" "24" "26" etc., which is the actual measurement in inches of the waistline of the corset. You will need one about 4 inches (10.2 cm) smaller than your own waist, so you can lace in a bit and have a gap in the laces. •Corsets are designed to give a curvy figure to an average-shaped person, so if you are already quite curvy, you might need to get a "tight lacing" corset which has bigger hips (or even better yet, get one made-to-measure).

How to Put on a Corset

Corsets are coming back in a huge way. Not only are they a great, sexy fashion accessory, they also provide posture correcting and support benefits that women have forgotten they could even have. However, they're a little tricky to get on! No worries, we'll show you how to do it. By starting with correct lacing and using the right way to tighten the corset, you'll be more comfortable than you thought would be possible.

Part 1

Lacing the Corset

1．Check the pre-lacing. When you bought your corset, it may have come pre-laced. If this is the case, don’t worry about lacing the corset unless the corset is laced incorrectly. It should look similar to how a shoe is laced (with X’s), but with the strings meeting in the center of the back, instead of at either end.

• There is an addendum here. The laces should meet in the middle of the corset at the same level as your natural waist (where your waist is naturally smallest). If your natural waist is a little higher or lower, you might want to re-lace the corset to adjust where the two sets of laces meet.      
• Yes, you read that right: two sets of laces. Corsets are laced with two sets of laces which meet in the center of the corset. Meeting in the center is very important because it will allow you to create the small waist but it also makes sure that the tension in the corset is more evenly distributed. If you lace the corset any other way, you will break your corset over time.

2．Start at the top grommet. If you do have to lace the corset yourself, start lacing at the top grommet (the hole where the lacing goes in). If you have an even number of grommets, start by pulled the lacing up through the bottom of the top grommets. If you have an odd number of grommets, you would go down from the top.

• Lacing should be provided when you buy your corset. If it is not, avoid ribbon if you are planning on having your corset laced firmly. Ribbon will not be strong enough to really hold you in and it will warp how the corset fits.

3．Create X's. Take the right string and pull it over to the other side. If the first grommet has laces coming out through the top of the hole, then put it down through the top of the hole on the other side. If the first grommet has the laces going down into the hole, then pull the laces up through the bottom of the hole on the other side. With the right side done, do the left next in the same way.

• Keep your laces even. Make sure you keep the ends of the laces even with each other as you pull the laces through the grommets.

4．Lace down to the center. With the X complete, keep going down the line until you reach the center. You should end up with X's alternating between being "on top" of the corset and "below" the corset.

5．Start again from the center and repeat. With the top section done, repeat the same process with the second string but start in the middle.

Part 2

Putting it On

1．Stand in front of a mirror. If you have a buddy helping you to put this on, great! That is the best way to do this. However, it’s totally possible to put a corset on yourself, without the helping hand. If you’re going to be riding solo, use a mirror (or preferable a few mirrors, like a surround mirror) so that you can really see what you’re doing.

2．Put on an underlayer. Before you put on your corset, put an underlayer on first. Of course, if you’re doing this for an intimate encounter, that’s not necessary. However, everyday wear definitely requires something underneath the corset itself. This is to absorb moisture and dirt from your skin, protecting your corset.

• They make corset liners, which are sort of like tube tops, but you can also just wear a shirt or blouse. It depends on your outfit.
• If you do use a corset liner, get one made of cotton or other breathable material.       Anything made of Lycra or spandex will just make you sweat more.
• Most places that sell corsets will also sell liners. You can also make your own if you have basic sewing skills, since it’s just a tube.

3．Make sure you have the corset in the correct orientation. You might want to make sure the corset is oriented correctly. For detailed corsets it should be easy to tell but for more uniform ones, beginners might struggle.

• The nicer fabric should be on the outside.
• The side with the laces is the back and the side with the holes and knobs is the front (no arguments here, that's how corsets work).
• If you have an underbust corset, telling which side is the top from bottom can be tricky. Usually the top of the back will be more straight across than bottom, but not always.
• When you're getting ready to put it on, the busk (front) of the corset should be open and the laces at the back should be closed but loose.

4．Wrap it around you. Wrap it around you to start putting it on. You're going to start by closing the front but you might need to make some adjustments first. You should be able to fairly easily close the busk in the front, needing to pull the sides together a bit (some resistance is good) but you should not need to seriously inhale in order to get it to close.

• There are different schools of thought on this. Some people like to have to pull harder in order to get the front closed. Others believe having the back more loose makes it easier to close the front. Experiment to find what works for you.

5．Adjust the modesty panel. The modesty panel is a rectangle of fabric which will be attached, probably on the left side of your corset at the back it is intended to bridge the gap between the sides of the lacing. Your corset may not include one, especially if it is cheap and not intended for tight-lacing. When you put the corset on, make sure that the modesty panel is flat across your back and pointed towards the other side of the corset.

• Slide the corset into place if you're having trouble getting the modesty panel straight on your own. You do this by starting with the corset skewed to side opposite from the modesty panel and twisting the corset towards the modesty panel side, so that the modesty panel is dragged into place.

6．Close the busk. The busk is the metal pieces on the front of the corset, with the knobs and holes. You're now ready to fasten the busk, by putting the knobs into the holes. This is trickier than it sounds, however! (Or, at least, it can be.) Here's how you do it:

• Fasten either the second from the top or the middle clasp first. Simply put the knob through the hole. Don't worry about the other ones yet.
• Pinch the knob side of the busk. Now, with your thumb and pointer finger, pinch the hard part of the knob side of the busk. This will give you a little more dexterity to work the rest of the knobs.
• Fasten the rest of the clasps. Now go down from the first knob you fastened and close each successive clasp. Once you reach the bottom, close the knobs at the top.
• Refasten any that come undone. You might notice clasps coming undone as you close the ones at the bottom. This is normal! Simply reclose those once you reach the bottom. No worries!

Part 3

Tying the Corset

1．Lightly tighten the laces. Get the laces just tight enough that the corset will stay on without needing to be held up. This should mainly involve just pulling the sides together and giving a gentle tug on the long ends of the lacing.

2．Make a second pass to adjust the tightness. Now that you've mostly got your lacing ready to go, take another pass and get all the lacing as tight as you can. How tight you can go will have to do with the quality and fit of your corset, so look for signs of strain (like boning channels not being straight). As you tighten, adjust the tightness of each X so that it keeps the two sides straight and parallel. With the X's tightened, make a final strong pull using all four strings at the center. This will draw in the waist.

• Pinch the center of the X's and pull them away from your back, starting at the ends and moving toward the center. This is the easiest way to tighten the corset so that it fits to your body.

3．Adjust the modesty panel as you go. As you tighten the laces, you’ll probably need to pull the modesty panel back into place a few times. Do what you can to get as much coverage as possible and minimize wrinkles.

4．Do not try to bring the two sides of the back together! Your corset is made, assuming you got the right size, to have a gap between the two sides where the lacing occurs. Do not keep pulling and tightening trying to close that gap. You'll hurt yourself.

5．Tie the corset. Now that the corset is nice and tight tie all four laces together into a bow or knot. They may be somewhat loose but that's okay. Just make sure to double knot and you should be fine.

• Most people simply tie the laces right there at the back. However, if you have a lot of extra lacing at the ends, you can get a smoother look by looping the laces around your stomach and then making a smaller bow or knot at the back.

6．Check for signs that you need to adjust your corset. Now that you're laced in, take a look at yourself in the mirror. So sexy! However, you might want to look for signs that your corset doesn't fit right. First of all, is it comfortable? A corset should not bite into your sides, pinch you, or be anything other than...noticeably firm. You should be able to breathe. You'll also want to look at the back lacing and take notice of the shape of the gap.

• A well-fit corset should have a gap at the back with sides that are perfectly parallel. If the gap is wider at the bottom or top, you may need a custom fit corset. If there's and bowing in the middle you probably need a larger size corset.

 

IMF raises China growth forecast for its decisive reforms, steady support to economy: Lagarde

BEIJING, July 22 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) increased its growth forecast for China in 2016 due to the country's "determined and decisive" implementation of reforms and the "steady" support for the economy, said managing director Christine Lagarde here on Friday.
Lagarde made her remarks when she met the press together with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and other five chiefs of international financial institutions after a round-table meeting at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.
She said the IMF had increased the growth forecast for China in 2016 by 0.1 percentage point to 6.6 percent for two reasons; "First of all, we have witnessed the determined and decisive implementation of reforms; and second, there was also support given to the economy in order to encourage growth to go forward."
"On the latter point, it did not take the form of vast fiscal stimulus but simply some solid and steady support in order to make sure that growth was indeed sustainable," she added.
The IMF on Tuesday revised down its forecast for global growth in 2016 and 2017, due to the uncertainty surrounding Britain's exit from the European Union (Brexit).
The IMF expects the global economy to grow 3.1 percent in 2016 and 3.4 percent in 2017, both 0.1 percentage points lower than its forecasts in April, according to its updated World Economic Outlook report.
Meanwhile, the IMF revised China's economic growth forecast this year to 6.6 percent from its April's forecast of 6.5 percent, saying that the near-term outlook has improved due to recent policy support.
Lagarde said the IMF's new forecast was now within the government's range of between 6.5 percent and 7 percent.
"This is clearly an achievement and I'm very pleased to acknowledge this," she said.
Lagarde said she would have revised upward the forecast for global growth for the first time in six years as China, Japan and the Euro area were doing better than expected. However, she failed to do so due to Brexit.
"What is even more disappointing is that we have conducted some scenarios. Under our severe scenarios, the global growth for next year would be reduced by 0.5 percentage point," she said.
This is the first time a "1+6" round-table meeting has been held in China. The theme of the meeting was "promoting strong, sustainable, and balanced growth of the Chinese and global economy."
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim; World Trade Organization Director General Roberto Azevedo; International Labor Organization Director General Guy Ryder; Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Secretary-general Angel Gurria; and Financial Stability Board Chairman Mark Carney also attended the meeting.
According to a joint press release issued after the meeting, the participants of the meeting agreed that the round-table should become a regular mechanism to strengthen ties between China and international organizations, deepen communication and cooperation in the international economic and financial arena and jointly explore responses to global economic challenges.  

How to Put on a Bikini

Are you ready to put on your bikini and hit the beach or pool? Putting on a bikini can be a little tricky. There isn't much fabric to work with, but it has to be in just the right place to keep you covered. Learn how to put on your bikini so it stays snug, as well as prep your body so you look and feel great in your swimwear.​

Steps

Part 1

Putting On Your Bikini

1. 
   Get undressed from head to toe. Bikinis are meant to bare a lot of skin, so go ahead and get undressed. Remove your bra and underwear, too. Don't attempt to wear your bikini over underwear, since it will be nearly impossible to keep your underwear from peeking out when you're active at the beach or pool.      
2. 
   Pull on the bikini bottoms. Bikini bottoms usually provide the same amount of coverage as bikini-style underwear. The top edge of the bikini bottoms should sit along your hips, crossing over each hip bone below your belly button. In the back, they should hug your bottom tightly. Depending on the style you're wearing, they'll provide either full or partial cheek coverage.
• Your bikini bottoms should not sag or droop. If they feel loose, you need a smaller size.
• They also shouldn't cut into your skin and cause bulging. If they do, try a size up.
3. 
   Fasten the bikini top below your breasts. Put on the top as you would put on a bra, fastening the band around your chest first. It might help to put the top on backward so you can fasten the band in the front, then slide it around to position it correctly with the cups in the front.
• If it's a string bikini, first tie a tight knot, then tie the ends in a bow. Tie it so that the bikini will stay in place, but not so tight that it cuts off your circulation.
• If the band of your bikini top is loose enough to easily slip your hand through, either tie it tighter or go down a size. If it's so tight that you feel uncomfortable, go up a size.
4. 
   Adjust the cups. Rest your breasts right in the center of each cup, to keep them securely in place there. Make sure the fabric of the cups completely covers your breasts; if they feel tight, or your breasts and bulging out from the sides, you might want to go up a size. If they feel loose, try a size lower or choose a padded top. Here are the different types of bikini tops, and how to fasten them properly:
• Triangle top: This style provides the least amount of support and coverage, and it works best for smaller breasts. Make sure your breasts are positioned in the centers of the triangles. If your top has sliding triangles, slide them over your breasts to make sure the fabric covers your breasts entirely.
• Halter top: This style provides a more support, making it a good choice for bigger breasts. Position your breasts in the center of each cup, and stretch the cups around your breasts for maximum coverage.
• Bandeau top: This style is strapless, so make sure you choose the right size so that your top won't slide up or down. Adjust the top so that your breasts fit into the center of the cups. It should hug your chest quite firmly; if it sags or droops, you may need to go down a size or choose a different style top.
• Underwire top: This style is similar to a bra, and fits much the same way. Position the underwires so that they sit right beneath your breasts, then lower your breasts into the cups.
5. 
   Adjust the straps. It's important to adjust the straps so that they keep your bikini top secure and provide support for your breasts. You want the straps to be tight enough to hold your bikini top in place, but not so tight that they dig into your shoulders. Your bikini top should feel as comfortable as a bra.
• Adjust bra-style bikini straps just as you would regular bra straps. Use the plastic slides on the straps to loosen or tighten them.
• If the straps are strings you need to tie, it might take a few tries before you're able to tie the knots just right. They should be tight enough to provide support for your breasts, but not so tight they cut into your shoulders. Tie the ends of the strings into bows.
• Some bikini tops are styled as halters, with two strings that are tied right at the nape of your neck. Again, make sure you tie the strings tight enough to support your breasts without being uncomfortable.
• If you find that you aren't able to adjust the straps in a way that allows your breasts to be well-supported without causing pain in your shoulders or neck, you may need a different style top. Try a traditional bra-style top with an underwire for maximum support.
6. 
   Take a walk around the room to check for slipping and discomfort. Try skipping and jumping, too. You're going to be having fun in the sun, and you don't want to have to worry about your breasts coming loose or your bikini bottoms slipping down. Make adjustments where necessary so you can wear your bikini confidently all day long.    

Part 2

Wearing it Comfortably

1. 
   Consider removing hair around your bikini line. It might help you feel more confident to know that no hairs will poke out from your bikini bottoms as you're laying out in the sun or swimming in your bikini. Trimming and shaving is a popular way to do it, since it's inexpensive and not painful. You can also consider waxing the area if you plan ahead.
• To figure out what hair to remove, put on your bikini bottoms and check out the hair that pokes out around the edges. You want to remove enough hair so that your bottoms adequately cover everything that's left.
• Some people also like to remove leg and armpit hair to feel bikini ready.
2. 
   Exfoliate your skin. Since wearing a bikini involves showing off your skin, you might want to baby it a little a day or two before it's time to hit the beach or pool. In the bath or shower, use a loofah or exfoliating scrub to exfoliate your arms, legs and everything in between. This will get rid of dry skin and give you a healthy glow.
• Use gentle circular motions to exfoliate your skin, rather than scrubbing too hard.
• Don't forget your back and other hard to reach areas. Use a scrub brush to get to the places you can't easily reach.
3. 
   Use a rich moisturizer. After exfoliating, apply your favorite moisturizing lotion to protect your skin from drying out. Your skin will be soft and gleaming when it's time to put on your bikini. As an alternative to moisturizer, try coconut or olive oil to soften your skin.
4. 
   Don't forget your sunscreen. Wearing a bikini means using a lot of sunscreen, since most of your body will be exposed to the sun's rays. Apply sunscreen with SPF 16 or higher five to ten minutes before going out into the sun, and reapply as necessary throughout the day. Wearing plenty of sunscreen will prevent you from ending up with a painful burn and provide protection against sun spots and skin cancer.
• Try waterproof sunscreen if you're going to be swimming. You'll still need to reapply it more than once throughout the day.
• If you're trying to get a tan, you should still wear sunscreen. Sunscreen prevents you from getting burned, but it doesn't completely stop the sun from affecting your skin. It's much better to get a gradual tan than to get burned first.
5. 
   Take along a coverup. You may not feel like being exposed to the sun and other elements the entire time you're at the beach or pool. Bring along a cute coverup you can throw over your bikini whenever you want. As a bonus, it will protect your skin from the sun, so you won't have to worry about slathering your entire body in sunscreen when you wear it.

How to Look Good in a Bikini

Whether you want to look good for a beach party or you are trying to get ready for bikini season, the desire to look good in a bikini is common for many women. Wearing a bikini can be intimidating, especially since people spend most of their time fully clothed. Luckily, with a little effort, the right fitting suit, and a confidence boost, there are ways for you to look your best so you can focus on having fun in your bikini.

Steps

Method 1

Preparing Your Body

1. 
   Eat foods that will reduce bloat. A few days before you plan on wearing a bikini, reduce the amount of carbs and salty foods you take in, such as frozen meals and processed foods. Also, try not to eat gas-producing vegetables such as onions, beans, and broccoli, which may bloat your gut. Instead, try eating cooked spinach, celery, asparagus, and tomatoes, which may actually help you lose water weight because they are diuretics. 
2. 
   Drink a lot of water. Keeping your body hydrated will not only make your skin look great, but it will prevent water retention that leads to bloating. Drinking water can stimulate your body to release fluids that will create a thinner appearance. You should be drinking at least eight glasses of water each day to stay hydrated, but more if you are sweating or performing physical activities. 
• If you find it hard to drink plain water allday, liven up your drink with a slice of cucumber, a few blueberries, or a lemon.
3. 
   Shave all the right spots. The day before you go swimming, be sure to shave your legs, armpits, and especially your bikini area. Shaving the day before may help prevent stinging if you will be going into a chlorine pool or hot tub. Always shave with shaving cream and a sharp razor that has a moisturizing strip to help prevent razor burn.
• Opt for a professional to give you a bikini wax a week before you plan to be in a bikini to remove all signs of hair. These treatments can be expensive, but they will keep you hairless for your bikini.
4. 
   Add in a fitness regime. Whether you do yoga, go jogging, or lift at the gym, find a way to get your heart pumping. Cardio workouts are one of the best ways to shed the pounds to prep for bathing suit season. Exercising is not only good for the outside of your body, but it is vital for your heart to stay healthy. So find an activity that you love and gets your body moving so you can look and feel your best.

Method 2

Finding the Right Fit

1. 
   Experiment with different styles and fits. Bikinis come in many different colors, patterns, styles, and cuts that all serve to flatter the body differently. If you're not comfortable with a certain fit, don't be afraid to ask a sales associate to help you find the right size and style for your body type. Try not to concentrate on the tag size, as sizes differ from brand to brand and style to style. Keep in mind, mixing and matching bikini tops and bottoms can help you find the best look.
2. 
   Wear a forgiving top. Every woman is made differently, and this means you have to figure out what your body needs from a suit to look its best. Finding a bikini top that is supportive, and will be flattering, is key to looking great in a bikini. Here are some tips to follow:
• If you are small on top, try tops that have padding or an underwire to accentuate what you do have. You should also look for adjustable straps around the back and shoulders so that you can tighten the top appropriately. Ruffle tops, tri-tops, or bandeau tops are also recommended for you.
• If you are bigger on top and need extra support, be sure to look for tops that have underwire and wide should straps. These will fit more comfortably than thinner spaghetti straps. Halter tops may be flattering on you as they highlight cleavage. Stay away from strapless bandeau tops and tri-tops.
• If you have wider shoulders, try to balance out your look by playing up the bottom and keeping the top subtle. Wear bright colors, fun prints, and embellishments on your bikini bottom, and look for a top that has wider shoulder straps.
3. 
   Compliment your legs with the perfect bottoms. Fortunately, bikini bottoms come in many different cuts and styles that can flatter your unique body type. Whether you want to lengthen your legs or add dimension, there is a style for you. Here are some tips to follow:
• If you have shorter legs or a shorter torso, find a suit that will elongate you. Try a suit that is cut high on the thigh, which is meant to make legs appear longer. This look works on curvy hips and straight hips. Vertical stripes can also help to visually lengthen the body.
• If you have a longer body with even longer legs, try suits that have embellishments at the hips and bust. Swimsuits that come with jewels, ruffles, ties, and bows help add dimension to fill you out. Find patterns that have horizontal lines instead of vertical, and look for bright colors.
4. 
   Create curves for a narrow body. If you lack curves on the top or bottom, find a suit that creates some. High-waisted bottoms, bikinis with ruffles and bows, and strapless suits are a great look for you. Try wearing a solid color on the bottom with a fun printed or embellished top to create the illusion of an hourglass figure. Stay away from wearing the same solid-color on the top and bottom and don't wear vertical lines.
5. 
   Find a suit with proper coverage. If you are big on the bottom, try a mini-skirt bikini bottom for great coverage. If you want to wear ruffles or bows, save that for the bikini top. Look for bottoms that are smooth and will not add volume to your bottom half. Also, stay away from loud prints and bright colors.

Method 3

Enhancing Your Bikini Look

1. 
   Moisturize your skin. Lotion can help revitalize and moisturize dry patches to make your skin look vibrant. Apply a body lotion from your shoulders down to your toes before you put your bikini on. Make sure you rub the lotion all the way into your skin using gentle, circular motions.
2. 
   Apply a spray tan. This is a great way to make you look thinner, and cover up any bruises or blemishes. Simply head to your nearest drug store to pick up a spray tan product. To apply, exfoliate your skin with a wash cloth, and then rub or spray on the tanner. Be sure to follow the directions on the package for proper application.
• If you do not want to give yourself a spray tan, try going to a professional. Most tanning salons offer spray tan services. Keep in mind, they can be expensive.
3. 
   Wear a bikini cover-up. A great way to feel more confident, and add style to your bikini look is to wear a cover-up. These come in a variety of styles, such as a cotton jersey halter, a fringe wrap skirt, or a lace kimono. They are the perfect thing to wear when you are not swimming, but just hanging out near the water because they allow you coverage without having to get completely dressed.
4. 
   Accessorize with a hat. Sun hats are a great way to protect your skin and look super chic. Try looking for a straw hat to match your bikini vibe. Regardless of what some may think, everyone can pull of a sun hat, especially when it is being worn with a bikini.
5. 
   Create the look of a slimmer waist. One way to slim down your waist is to lift the breasts by either wearing a bikini top that has supportive underwire, or by using waterproof medical tape. To use the medical tape, start with the tape under the arm, and bring it inward, pulling the tape so that it lifts your breasts and pushes up your cleavage. You will want to use about three pieces of tape on each side for a secure hold.

Method 4

Feeling Confident

1. 
   Give yourself a compliment before you head out. It is best to be in a positive mental state before you leave your house in your bikini so when you arrive to your destination, you are ready to have fun. Hiding in a corner, walking around slouched over, or deciding that you can't reveal yourself in your bikini after all will only keep you from having the great time you deserve. Before you leave the house, look in a mirror, and try saying the following:
• "I look great in my bikini, and I am going to have fun today!"
• "I am a very attractive woman and I deserve to feel good about myself."
2. 
   Stand up straight. Having proper posture creates flattering lines that will help you look more confident. Simply pull your shoulders back and bring your head up, to look leaner and taller. Imagine your navel being pulled up into your spine to help you pull in your abdomen. Try to remind yourself throughout the day to keep correcting your posture if you find yourself starting to slouch.
• Even when you are sitting down, you should be practicing proper posture by sitting with a straight back, your shoulders pulled-back, and your chin up.
3. 
   Remember that people are focused on themselves. If you are among others in a swimsuit, chances are they are way more concerned about their body than they are yours. Most women have concerns about their bodies and appearance just like you do, and they are also probably looking for ways to look and feel their best in a bikini. If you can let go of your insecurities, and just have a good time, your positive vibes may rub off on those around you to create a more positive atmosphere.
• When you arrive to your event or gathering, focus on everything except your bikini. Think about the friends you are there to meet and laugh with, the relaxation you want to achieve, or the new memories you are going to create. Concerns about the way you look in a bikini should be at the bottom of your list of things to think about.