And research carried out recently by Boots at its flagship Belfast store in Donegall Place revealed some not-so-surprising results.

Big bums, jelly bellies and wobbly thighs are only a few of the body image issues which Northern Ireland women are worrying about this summer.

And with this in mind, Boots has come up with its own guide to make you feel a little more comfortable about flashing some flesh.

Their beauty experts have produced a simple seven-step programme which will help women of all ages, shapes and sizes, look their best on the beach.

Just remember these key words: buff, glow, nourish, beautify, polish, smooth and protect.

Here's what they recommend as part of the seven-day Get Beach Gorgeous campaign:

- Buff

Prepare the skin by buffing it to make it super smooth, creating the perfect silhouette with Elle McPherson Fruit and Honey Exfoliator, £6.45 for 200ml.

- Glow

A quarter of women who took part in the survey rated a good fake tan as one of the best ways to look good in your bikini and they're right. A bronzed look will make you appear slimmer than you are. Try Beautiful Bronze Non Tinted Mousse, £7.99 for 150ml.

- Nourish

Prepare your face for the summer sun and pamper it with Botanics Quenching Face Mask, £4.99 for 75ml.

- Beautify

Stock up on those beach body essentials for hair and make-up. Get an effortless beach babe look with Toni & Guy Beach Curls, £5.49 (200ml) and No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick, £9 (3.5g).

- Polish

Twenty three per cent of Northern Ireland women confessed to neglecting their nails when getting ready for the beach. Nail polish will add finesse to your look and a pedicure will ensure that your feet are in tip-top shape for those open-toe sandals. Elle Macpherson's Pedicure In A Jar, £9.95 (175ml), is a quick and easy way to pretty feet.

- Smooth

Ranked third in line to suncare and fake tan, a good wax is part of every woman's bikini ritual. To help you avoid any hairy bikini moments, get your hands on Boots Expert Sensitive Waxing Strips for £4.99.

- Protect

Finally, the Boots research revealed that Northern Ireland women are smart about the sun. Seventy four per cent said a good sun screen cream was top of their beach bag shopping list. However, make sure to use a separate sun protection for your face, such as Soltan Face Spf 30, £7.49 (75ml).

Christine Howe, sales manager at the Boots flagship store explained the thinking behind the summer campaign.

"The Get Beach Gorgeous campaign is part of our commitment to providing customers with the tools and support to grow in confidence and make them feel good within themselves," she explained.

"Whether your bikini style is a one-piece suit, a micro bikini or a tankini, the Boots one week plan is about helping you to feel proud of your body and comfortable in your own skin."

If you feel you'd like a little extra help in achieving the beach confident look, than pop into the Donegall Place store next weekend.

A Get Beach Gorgeous Weekend is being held on Saturday and Sunday to give customers the opportunity to avail of one-to-one expert beauty advice about their individual body issues.

Product samples will be up for grabs and there'll be beauty demonstrations to illustrate the correct way to follow the Beach Gorgeous plan.

Boots interviewed 70 women aged 18 and over for the Beach Gorgeous survey.