Two-Pièce de Résistance: Julie Henderson, 2012

This is a very Julie Henderson pic.

Photo: James Macari

I think 2012 was a year of too much retouching, so unfortunately her skin looks a little supernatural in its smoothness. But happily, her freckles remain. I think those, along with the tousled hair and the lazy, matter-of-fact look she’s giving us, emphasize Julie’s girl-next-doorness that holds such appeal for me. This pic exudes the casual and joyful warmth she shows in her behind-the-scenes interviews.

And the body, in that classic lying-on-her-side bathing beauty pose, transcends a bit of retouching. That hip-curve. That pretty crease down the center of her midriff. That sparse smattering of grains of sand. That low-slung, electric lime bikini bottom. It looks like a grey day on the beach, but that just serves to enhance her warm, massageable skin and neon swimsuit.

It’s a good old-fashioned bikini pose, and Julie strikes it beautifully.