In high school and a bit into college, I was working as a manager at a local tanning salon. I was tanning daily and it was bliss as far as I was concerned. Until I got a bit older and realized how dumb I was being. Not only was I risking skin cancer but I was also going to age myself quicker than I should have and nobody wants to look like that wrinkly, creepy & leather-ed face tan mom, right? Right. That’s when I decided that I needed self tanning tips that weren’t going to one day kill me or my looks. I went from a tanning bed junkie to a self-tan junkie. I traded one for the other because I’ve never been one to embrace my paleness. I like color. I like to have a bit of a bronze, especially in the summer.
Let’s just say this was NOT an easy task! I’ve been orange, streak, dirty looking and stuck with a tan that made me look like an oompa loompa. That’s fun for no one. I wanted to share some of my best self tanning tips with y’all so that you could get that pretty, sun-kissed, touch of color look that you want for summer without turning crazy looking!
Self tanning sprays, lotions and mousse products are among the most popular products to use, thing is you can’t just slap them on and go. It doesn’t work that way and if you do you can bet that you’re going to look like Snooki quicker than you can say Jersey Shore.
BE IN THE KNOW: Read the instructions on whatever product you’re planning to use. Carefully apply a small amount of the product to your body and make sure you’re not going to have an allergic reaction!! I had a reaction to one once that definitely ‘tanned’ me but it came with red bumps everywhere! Test it! Self-Tanners include DHA (a sugar derivative) and some people can and will have a reaction.
EXFOLIATE: Ladies, want a streak free tan? DO THIS. You want to remove all the dead skin cells so that the self tanning product you’re using is actually effective and not going to make you like an orange zebra! Tanning products stick to the outer layer of your skin and if there is an abundance of dry and dead skin that’s going to suck up all of the product and you’re going to be super blotchy! Not cute. Promise. I love this exfoliating mitt and I do this in combination with a scrub and my body wash before I plan to self tan!
MOISTURIZE: Apply a moisturizer a few hours before you’re going to apply your tanner or the night before you are going to get a spray-tan or airbrushed. This softens your skin and it becomes more receptive, therefore making your tan last longer and absorbing it better. PRO TIP: Immediately before tanning apply the moisturizer to parts of your body that tend to be more dry than others as a little barrier to keep the self tanner from getting too crazy there. (knuckles, knees, elbows, toes and ankles)
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SELF TANNING TIPS?
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