And so is self-tanner. After trial and error, I have discovered a way that works best for me to achieve a pretty good at-home fake tan. I will never look like this:
 |
| By the way, I hate you, Kate Moss. |
But I can achieve a good glow that is about 3 shades darker. Let's be realistic-- some spray tans look awful on pale skin, so telling yourself that you will never be bronze but you will have a glow will make you feel better. So, let's get to it, shall we?
The Pale Girl's Guide to an At-Home Spray Tan
Before you get started, you might want to get on YouTube and research a little on the method of spraying the spray tan bottle onto your body. I go in an "S" direction all over my body, and I even apply a fine mist to my face. YouTube is your best friend on spray tan application methods. Yep.
Steps Towards Perfection:
1. Shower and exfoliate your entire body and face with your favorite scrub.
2. Towel dry completely.
3. Put on a shower cap, gloves, and your socks while the rest of you is in your birthday suit.
4. Stand in the tub/shower (this prevents you giving your bathroom/house a spray tan)
5. Spray the self-tanner on in sections, starting with your legs and rubbing it in as best as you can as you go.
The rest I do out of the shower:
6. Hold the can about 12 inches away and spray a fine mist on your face. Do not rub in.
7. Remove socks and apply a fine mist to feet and rub in.
8. Remove gloves.
9. Hold hands in a claw like shape and apply a fine mist. Do not rub in.
10. Let body air dry and then wear dark, loose clothing.
I let the tan develop overnight and then I rinse off in the shower in the morning, using a little bodywash. This prevents me from smelling up a room any time I walk in. Like I said, pretty much all self tanners will smell. I stopped looking for the one without a smell, rather concentrating on finding one that I think gives me the best color for my skin tone. I also stopped using the "daily glow" lotions, as I find those smell too and you have to leave those on your skin for them to develop the best color. Personally, I just prefer a spray. I am currently really loving:
Neutrogena Micromist in Deep (yes, this will work on pale skin)
Banana Boat Summer Color Self-Tanning Mist
I also make sure to moisturize my skin post-tan every day so that the tan does not get splotchy and to ensure that it'll last longer.
I hope this helps you achieve color that doesn't put you at risk for any sort of skin damage!
Are there any self-tanning tips that you'd like to share? What do you swear by?
12 comments:
Other recommendation - have some gay guy spray it on you at a nice salon. LOL I totally just did that. I called my mom and said, "so, I just had my first gay guy spray tan." She laughed.
I'm really considering doing the Hotel ZaZa spa special next week...$20 airbrush tan on Thursdays! Have you heard anything about those before?
I've had the profesh spray tan done a few times for pageants and the results are great, but only for a couple of days. and the odor--OMG don't even get me started.
i find that at-home tanners are far less stinky. but you're dead on about exfoliating and air drying. i would also say that moisturizing RELIGIOUSLY following the tan is crucial to maintaining it, as well as avoiding any perfumed lotions and body washes. they can strip the color and make you spotty. not cute.
www.cupcakesomg.blogspot.com
I think I've just accepted the fact that my skin is translucent. I do have tanning minutes and go in bouts every once in awhile. Like 2-3 times and then I'm good to go for like 5 months. I've had the same minutes for about 4 years.
I have sensitive skin and have been prone to odd rashes - confession I once got ring worm from a hot tub (it's not a worm, I have no clue why it's called that) and tanning was the only thing that got rid of it.
I know tanning beds are terrible for you, but like I said I rarely use them. It's more like I'm especially translucent right now trips or... pre-vacation so I don't fry red while I'm away!
Definitely taking note of this. I've only really ever used the Neutrogena Glow lotion.. which works in terms of color but you can't do anything after you apply it.. if you sweat, it gets so gross and slimy and stains everyyything.
I will definitely try your method. I don't know why I never thought to do it before bed, then rinse off in the morning!
GREAT tutorial. Self tanner scares me since the last time I used it (admittedly, it's been a while-- 10ish years ago) and I got orange all over my clothes! And that was after walking around naked for almost an hour. Hahahhaa.
But I have a sample of clinique self sun. I should try it. Thanks for the tips! :)
You have all the beauty tips don't you?! I'm thinking maybe your true calling wasn't a teacher! ;)
I have been using the Jergins daily glow lotion stuff and you're right, it smells like crap. I put it on last night at like 11pm after I showered, and now it's 1pm and I can still smell it lol
How do u get your back and stuff if you do the spray tan alone?!
I'm with Jill...I have been using the same stuff she is. The smell is hellacious.
I'm trying everything to make my skin look a bit darker for the wedding without having to visit a tanning salon. I know how bad that is for my skin!!! Hello, you know I just started wearing spf moisturizer!! LOL!
Thank you for the tutorial! I am going to try this out and see how it works for me.
You always have the best recommendations and tutorials!! :D and thank you for your comment! I always say that too. God knows what we can and can't handle!
girl this is the best post i could have stumled across because i look sickly right now i'm so pale! i'm trying this this weekend i'll let you know how it goes!
I like the smell of self-tanner. Is that weird?
Post a Comment