Summer is finally here, and that means Pulse Magazine’s annual swimsuit edition! But this year, we’ve got more than just swimsuits. Read on for tips on how to have a great summer, from cookouts and hair trends to swim accessories and trends. But, yeah, it really is about the swimsuits.

Special thanks to Indian Ranch for hosting our annual swimsuit photo shoot! Photos by Justin Mayotte of Flash House Studios.
Hair and makeup by Lilly C.

Swim with Style. With summer here, you’ve got to make sure you’re on your (swimsuit) game. Below, check out 5 of the hottest trends that will be dominating the sand this summer.

1. Flutter | Few things are sexier than a fluttery bathing suit that moves oh-so-delicately in a warm summer breeze. Go for a relaxed look, with a crop top-like bandeau that floats tantalizingly above the midriff, or go full-on va-va-voom, with a plunging V-neck one-piece outlined in flutter ruffle detailing.

2. Crochet & Macramé | This season, designers are upping the ante on the boho-chic look by incorporating crochet and macramé accents on gauzy tops and billowing maxi dresses begging to be worn oceanside. This trend is also dominating the swimwear scene in the form of crochet paneling and macramé racerbacks. Regardless of what style you choose, this trend will give you the kind of effortless, flower-child vibe that keeps things flirty and fun.

3. Cutouts | Without a doubt, this is the year of cutouts, and with warmer weather fast-approaching, there’s no better time to try out this trend! Suits with straps crisscrossing all over the midriff and/or sides are guaranteed to be a favorite, while tops and bottoms with slices cut out in cleverly-placed spots are perfect for those who love to stand out.

4. Denim | This year’s resort looks have been all about head-to-toe denim, utilizing chambray and other lightweight blends to capture the unique texture of this utilitarian material without any of the bulk. In addition, denim-inspired fabrics are being used for swimsuits to create a casual-chic look on and off the beach. Our favorite styles even manage to incorporate all the extra details, like grommets and jean-like stitching, making this look feel cheekily authentic.

5. Athletic | Don’t think girly, itty-bitty beach things are your only options this season. Athletic-inspired looks are making a huge comeback, with neoprene in all sorts of amazing cuts, prints and colors being the fabric du jour on the runways. When translated into swimwear, these looks are not only bold, they’re also extremely supportive ~ no wardrobe malfunctions here!

By Susan Bodack

Susan Bodack is a blogger for InStyleSwimwear.com, an online retailer of swimwear for women. In addition to swimsuits, InStyleSwimwear.com also has a wide selection of cover-ups, flip-flops and accessories.

Summer hair can still be cute. Want to get your hair looking as good as your tan? It’s not that hard if you keep your hair healthy and go with simple dos that are easy and look great. Here are five tips for your summer hair:

1. Go with a beachy look | For effortless overnight DIY beach waves, spray in a light leave-in conditioner and then make a loose braid. Twist and pin it into a bun, and in the morning, remove the pins, shake out the braid, and there you have it ~ effortless beach waves! You can also do this in the morning after a shower and shake it out after the workday for a fun day/night cocktails look.

2. Use the right serum | It’s important to find the right serum, which is key for taming fly-aways and frizz. Serums hydrate the strands and slightly weigh down the cuticle, which typically break, resulting in frizz, during the humidity-filled summer months. Just make sure you find the right serum ~ use one too strong and your hair will look greasy; use one too light won’t hold down the strays.

3. Try a sleek ponytail | For a look that keeps the hair off your neck, a super-sleek ponytail looks great day and night. To start, run your hair through a flatiron. Comb back your hair from the top of your head and gather into a pony tail in the middle of the head.

4. Nourish your hair | If you spent a lot of time in the pool, a nourishing DIY hair mask will work wonders and restore some hydration the chlorine has stripped from your hair. A great DIY option is to mash up an avocado ~ or anything with fatty oils ~ and run it through your hair from root to tip. Put it up in a shower cap for an hour and then rinse with warm water in the shower.

5. Keep the pH balanced | Oil production in the scalp ramps up in the warmer months, so your hair is more prone to looking greasy. For a long term solution, start using a pH balanced shampoo.

By Josue Perez

Josue Perez is responsible for some of the hottest heads in Hollywood, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Cameron Diaz and Sarah Jessica Parker. His work has been seen on the pages of international magazines, including InStyle (US and Germany), Maxim, Marie Claire, Latina and Harper’s Bazaar. For more information, visit josueperezhair.com.

5 steps to a great barbecue. The United States gained its independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776, after drafting and adopting the Declaration of Independence. What better way to celebrate your Independence Day than with one of greatest pastimes the U.S. has: a cookout! Here are five essential things you need to barbecue with the best of them.

1.  You need meat | What will really make your barbecue are some solid, American-made hamburgers and hot dogs. Without these staples, your guests will go from great to irate in a matter of minutes. And worry not vegans and vegetarians ~ grab some veggie burgers or tofu substitutes for the grill.

2. Drinks, drinks, drinks | What makes a cookout better than its choice in food? It’s choice in drinks! Make sure you’ve got soda, water and ~ what’s more American? ~ various beers! Be sure to grab an American-made beer, seeing as it is Independence Day.

3. Grill games | You ever play a sweet game of KanJam? How about Ladder Ball? Maybe Cornhole? If you haven’t, then grab yourself a set of these games (or all three) and set them up in your yard, because nothing screams cookout more than a good, old-fashioned grill game!

4. A good grill | This might seem obvious, but let’s be realistic: If your grill stinks, then your meat will stink, which means the cookout will stink. Make sure you are using a charcoal grill if you want to add just the right amount of smoked taste to your meat.

5. Red, white and blue everything | There is such a thing as overdoing right? Wrong! It’s the Fourth of July, and you need as much red, white and blue as possible. Actually, you could probably keep this theme going all month long!

By Kevin Swenson

Keep your moves smooth. Say hello to silky smooth skin this summer with a hassle-free solution to hair removal and messy at-home waxing, razor burn and more. Silk’n has introduced the Flash&Go 5k, an upgraded version of the dermatologist-recommended, cult-favorite Flash&Go. The 5k boasts an updated protocol for quicker permanent results.

The Silk’n Flash&Go 5k uses Home Pulsed Light Technology to deliver light-based energy down the shaft of each hair strand and destroys its root, disabling it permanently. Featuring 5,000 pulses and a large treatment spot size of 4 square centimeters, this device allows men and women to get rid of unwanted hair. For the first two months, use every other week and then, use it once a month to maintain beach-ready results. Here’s how it works:

• Shave the area you’re treating to ensure the energy of the Flash&Go 5k goes directly to the root of the problem.
• Flash&Go 5k emits a pulse of energy, which is absorbed by the pigment in the hair shaft.
• Hairs that are in the anagen growth cycle are targeted by the energy and disabled, preventing future hair growth.
• After a series of treatment, users report less hair growth in the treatment area, and eventually the hair will cease to grow.

For more information, check out silkn.com.

Accessorize! Accessorize! Accessorize! Summer is about more than great swimsuits. You want to get a whole look going on ~ from the hat on your head to the shoes on your feet. Here are five accessories to get your summer moving in the right direction.

1. Add a little bling | The Beloved Bangle by Nelle & Lizzy is a simple way to show your love. The versatility of the metals allows you to mix and match to create the perfect stack of bracelets that can be personalized with up to 12 characters. nelleandlizzy.com.

2. Don’t forget your bag | No beach outfit is complete without the perfect beach bag. Jessica London’s rope-handle beach bag with nautical details is exactly right for carrying the essentials. onestopplus.com.

3. Grab a hat | Roaman’s wide brim straw hat has a stylish simplicity that makes it the perfect accessory. Available in red and blue, you can match it to your swimsuit or pair it with a sundress. roamans.com.

4. Be ready for the wind | It can get chilly and windy at the beach, so it’s always handy to bring a windbreaker! Free Country, the leading lifestyle apparel brand that produces recreational outerwear, offers all women a variety of lightweight spring jackets that are constructed from high-performance fabrics with rugged charm, smart styling and classic authenticity. freecountry.com.

5. And, of course, the perfect shoes | Having the fashion accessories to complement every look from beach-chic to comfort casual is key for summer attire. Versatile footwear from Alegria makes the choice easy, with embellished sandals and classic wedge styles that mix-and-match with beachwear, sportswear and your everyday casual ensemble. alegriashoes.com.