Bronzed Beauty

Time to go to Barbados!
Well not really. I wish. That’s just what my girlfriends and I say when it’s time to go and get spray tanned. Even in the dead of winter I will have a subtle glow. You would think being French and Native American that I wouldn’t naturally be the color of Elmer’s Glue but I am. I do lay out in the sun in the summer but with a SPF 30 with a yummy smelling SPF 4 over it just because I love the smell. I don’t do tanning beds. I have, but honestly, I would have to spend so much time in one that I would risk cooking my insides or with skin cancer like my mother did. No thanks, I’ll pass. I don’t judge people for being sun worshipers, or tanning bed junkies but for me, I’m an avid sunless tanner.

Gone are the days of looking like an Oompa Loompa from using sunless tanning lotion. I know non users have that fear. Achieving a perfect golden sunless tan is easy. There are different options on how to get bronzed and they all come at different price points too. It does take a little practice and little prep work but it’s worth the outcome.
 
Options…
Sunless tanner comes in lotion, mousse, gel, aerosol versions and even pre-coated mitts you wear. They all have pros and cons. It’s personal preference.
You can also go and get a professional spray tan. That comes by way of standing in a booth or paying someone to airbrush you by hand. Now even though that may seem invasive, you get a perfect tan that way and a good one will even be able to accent your muscles (or hell, create them) to give you a customized result. Six pack abs anyone?!
 
Some of my favorite products:
L’Oreal Sublime $9 (any drugstore or department store)
Toma’s Tan Perfect $13.99 (Sally Beauty Supply - cheaper with card)
Moroccan Mineral Dark Tan $26 (Amazon - worth EVERY penny & smells AMAZING)
St. Tropez $40 (Sephora - also worth EVERY penny)
I like the less expensive ones. They work really well. My preference is for the pricey ones when I am willing to spend  the money. The color is phenomenal and the tan seems to last longer but more importantly, it fades without making you have “lizard” skin.
I would say as a beginner, definitely choose one that is tinted so that you can see where it goes. Don't be scared if you're the color of chocolate pudding. Your tan won't look like that and it washes off. Once you’re experienced, you don’t really need the tint.
 
How to get your glow on…
What you need:
Exfoliating scrub
Rubber/latex gloves
Moisturizer
Sunless tanner
Hydrogen peroxide
Cotton balls
 
Steps:
(For aerosol, spray from your feet working up to your head. Skip to Step 11.)
1. Take a shower and scrub with the exfoliating scrub making sure to get your heels, knees, elbows and any other dry skin areas. (It's not a bad idea to moisturize for a few days prior to either.)
2. Towel dry.
3. Put a light layer of moisturizer on your heels, knees and elbows.
4. Put on rubber gloves. Also make sure you are doing this in an area like your bathroom where cleanup will be easy if you drop any. If using aerosol, do it in the shower and rinse the shower out after.
5. My method for applying is in circular motions. You don’t want to rub so much that you rub it off. Make sure you rub it on to get even coverage and then move on. It doesn’t have to disappear completely as you rub.
6. I start with my calves/knees, working down to my feet. Go a little lighter on your feet, grazing over your toes. Don't go heavy on your knees, use the same light touch as you would your feet.
7. Thighs and bum next working your way up to your neck and then your face. I tend to save my arms for last because they  rub against the rest of my body applying so I don’t want to mess them up.
8. They do make specific tanners for your face, I just use the same one all over.
9. If you aren’t a contortionist, your back may be hard. A good tip is using a sponge paint brush to reach your back or enlist a helper.
10. Once you do your arms, it’s time for your hands but you have a little clean up first.
11.  Hydrogen peroxide works great to correct mistakes and to remove the excess from dry skin areas. I also put a little on a cotton ball, rub it across my heels, knees and elbows. I kind of tap it over my toes and across where my wrist meets my hand. Also, I tend to wipe my armpits too. How often does the sun tan your armpits?
12. Take your gloves off. It’s time for your hands. I put a small amount of tanner on a cotton ball and dab it lightly on the top of my hands and fingers.
13. Now you just need to wait until you are dry to get dressed. Preferably loose, dark clothing. I tend to do mine right before bed. Try not to sweat or get wet for at least 4 hours. You can shower after that to remove the tint.
 
Your tan, depending on what product you use should last a few days. Normally I do it a few nights in a row and then just a maintenance coat every few days. The BIGGEST thing to remember once your tan is applied is to moisturize each day. It will make your tan look nicer and last better. Sometimes I will use one of those moisturizers that has a built-in gradual tanner to keep my tan even.
Now go get bronzed! Your friends and family will think you took a mini vacay. Have a tropical drink while you dry and just tell them you went to Barbados! Even if it was only a mental vacation! ;)