Let me start this by saying that from the time I had a Prom to prepare for in high school, until a little after I got married in 2013, I was using tanning beds. I’m mortified that I ever thought that was a good idea, and I’m fully committed to snatching Eleanor up by the toes if I ever find her using one! Kidding …..kind of.
But for real, my skin (mostly my face and chest) are paying for my mistakes, and praise the lawd that’s my only consequence!
These days I’m all about self-tanner! I still want to be tan, because I feel my best when I have that glow about me, but you won’t catch me outdoors without a hat and the highest SPF that Target sells!
My go to tanner is St. Tropez! I love the foam consistency, and highly recommend using a mitt for application. This brand is a little pricey, but a little goes a long way and I have a few tips for applying and extending the life of your tan!
- exfoliate and shave the night before you plan on applying
- apply your tanner in quadrants (left thigh, left lower leg, right thigh, right lower leg, left arm/shoulder/chest area, right arm/shoulder/chest area) I tend to skip my stomach and lower back unless I know I’ll be in a swimsuit, and even then I just use whatever is left on my mitt in those areas
- let your tanner dry for at least a few minutes while you stand around before putting on clothes, and then when you do get dressed be sure to wear clothes that you don’t mind getting self-tanner on, because it will most likely transfer a little bit
- the longer you leave the guide color on, the darker it sets (don’t worry though, the guide color will rinse off in your first shower and you’ll be left with a nice glow)
- DO NOT get wet (until you’re ready to shower) while you’re wearing the initial guide color; or else your tan will be splotchy in those areas.
- anytime I tan during my period, the color doesn’t last as long as if I tan a week or so before/after my period (I might be a weird exception though)
- the longer you can go without shaving your legs, the longer your tan will last (think of shaving as a form of exfoliating; you’re removing layers of tan)
- don’t use any exfoliating shower gels, etc
- take a shower in the lowest temperature that you can handle to preserve the life of your tan (I refuse to take cold showers, but I do stick to warm as opposed to steaming hot when I’m tan)
- speaking of showers, take them quickly if you can, and DO NOT TAKE A BATH! If I ever take a bath go to the pool while wearing self tanner, I notice a difference in my tan after soaking for a bit.
- I know that a lot of people sleep in their self-tanner after the initial application and just shower it off in the morning, but I can’t make myself do it. I like to pick a day when I don’t have a lot going on, and tan first thing in the morning, hang out in loose clothing for the rest of the day and shower as close to bedtime as possible.
- I also wash my hair the night before tanning so that I won’t be in the shower as long the night that I rinse off my guide color
- MOISTURIZE everyday to extend the life of your tan!
Find my favorite tanner here, here and here!
Now go and glow, you bronzed goddess!
