Brooklyn Decker. Photo: Getty Images
Even a
Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model can have physical insecurities.
That's what
Brooklyn Decker -- who is also wife of tennis great
Andy Roddick -- tells
StyleList. Known for her pictorial romps in
Victoria's Secret skivvies and swimsuits, the 23 year-old says that no woman should feel like they need to live up to the type of glossy images she makes famous.
"There's a full-on hair, makeup and lighting team to make sure things look good. It's all expertly orchestrated, and any normal woman who had all that on hand would look amazing too," says Decker via telephone in Hawaii, where she's currently filming the action film
Battleship, also starring Liam Neeson,
Rihanna and Alexander Skarsgard.
A spokesperson for
Gilette's Venus franchise, the sporty 5' 9 blonde counts the
Embrace razor,
CoverGirl Lash Blast Waterproof Mascara and good ol' lip balm as her three can't-live-without items when traveling and on photo shoots. "The mascara is easy to find in a drugstore no matter where I am...and I'm always in bathing suits, so I have to make sure I always have that razor with me," says Decker.
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Bikini Beauty Fitness Tips
Click through to find the perfect bikini style for your bod.
Getty Images
This year, forget the stress of bearing your body on the beach! Michael Olajide Jr., celebrity trainer and owner of Aerospace gym in NYC has a targeted workout for every type of suit. Plus, we've got tips from swimsuit designer Lisa Curran to help you navigate the trends and find the perfect style for you.
Getty Images
Getting Started: First thing's first: cardio is a must, says Olajide. Jump rope (burns the most calories of any cardio program), run, or bike (take a spin class if you need motivation).
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: When trying on suits, "Go somewhere they mix tops and bottoms." Separates let you mix sizes and styles.
Juptier Images
Side Cutout Suit: Stand with fists at shoulder level. Use abs to twist your upper torso side to side while keeping lower body still. Goal time: 3 minutes.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "You can follow trends, but if the trend is not working for you, don't do it. Stick to something a little bit more simple."
Courtesy of Victoria's Secret
Bikini: Lay on your back, hands beneath hips for support. Keeping feet a few inches off the floor, lift and lower your upper torso. Goal time: 3 minutes.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "If you're boy-shaped, the smaller the bikini better -- it enhances your curves."
Courtesy of Victoria's Secret
Tankini: Lay on your stomach, hands behind your neck, elbows bent. Lift your upper body and legs up as high up as you can, then lower down. Goal time: 2 minutes.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "Young moms love tankinis. They want that fashion hipness but they don't want something matronly."
Courtesy of Lisa Curran
High Cut Legs: Sit with one leg bent 90 degrees in front and the other behind you (think pretzel shape). With your weight in front hip, lift back knee and lower. Goal: 50 lifts on each leg.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "If you are curvier or full-figure, a higher leg helps visually lengthen and slim."
Courtesy of Victoria's Secret
Boy Shorts: Stand with your weight in your heels, and squat down to a 90 degree angle, knees directly over toes. Straighten back up. Goal time: 2 minutes.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "If you are curvier, stay away from something that sits low like a boy-short." It makes legs look shorter.
Courtesy of The Gap
Plunging Neckline: Hold 1-3 lb hand weights out in front of you, fists facing down. Tap ends of weights against each other, keeping arms at chest level. Goal time: 3 min.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "If you're smaller in the chest, look for textured fabric, which enhances your chest size."
Courtesy of Lisa Curran
Bandeau Top: With fists below your chin, right foot back at a 5:00 position, punch left arm forward and retract back, keeping elbow down. Switch legs and repeat with right arm. Goal: 100 jabs on each side.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "If you have a wide back, stay away from bandeaus--they make your upper body look wider."
Courtesy of Lilly Pulitzer
Backless Suit: In a plank (high pushup) position (lower onto knees if needed), lower down as far as you can, then return to plank. Goal: 4 sets of 10.
Lisa's Swimsuit Tip: "If one particular cut isn't working, try something else. What might look good on your friend might not look good on you."
Courtesy of The Gap
Two tips for looking hot on your next beach vacation come from personal been-there, done-that moments. "If you're
shaving, give yourself at least an hour before you jump into salt water, or else you're going to get lots of little red bumps," remembers Decker. And if you're snapping pics, you'll surprisingly want to avoid the sun. "When taking pictures, the most flattering thing you can do is to stay out of direct sunlight because it can cast strange shadows on your body -- instead, always look for shade, like under a palm tree," advises Decker.
Photo: Getty Images
The Ohio native also swears by
Satin Care In Shower Moisturizer for quick in-and-out showers, so that she doesn't need to use body lotion afterwards. The lotion is like an aloe vera mask for the body that absorbs in warm, steamy showers, and comes in sensitive, dry and regular formulas.
And with a cover-worthy body like that, it's no surprise that Decker works out regularly, though she does admit that like so many of us, she has been bitten by the boredom bug lately. "I'm sort of in a rut as we speak. We've been in Hawaii for a couple of months now filming, and I've been taking long runs followed with weightlifting," says Decker. "My body feels like it's getting used to it, so I probably need to add in yoga or kickboxing to mix it up a bit. There's no real secret to being in shape, it's just all about healthy eating and plentiful exercise."
Yet the blonde beauty's top tip has more to do with a state of mind than a product or workout regime.
"Every woman -- no matter her shape or size -- has insecurities, especially when it comes to being in a bathing suit on the beach. But I'm sure you've seen it -- if a woman looks confident, it's instantly sexy, no matter what her shape or age."
Want to see three women over 40 who are looking better than ever? Check out
the pictures and stories behind More's recent beauty search winners.
And back to the topic of models always looking perfect, were Kate Moss's lingerie ad photos overly photoshopped?
You be the judge.
Speaking of which,
click here to see why actress Rachel Leigh Cook is disgusted by photoshopping and what she's doing about it.
