1. Always Always Always wear sunscreen never anything less than SPF 15 and as a bonus I wear SPF 50 on my face daily!!!
2. Wear a hat even with 50 on my face I wear a Hat and of course some big ole sunnies (sunglasses) you want to protect your face more and your eyes!
3. Always paint your toes ( Ok nothing to do with sun and tanning but if you are on the beach you need to have a perfect pedicure or diy anything but bare toes!) * I will blog all my favorite nail colors at another time!
4. Sunless Tanning is your friend!
Welcome to the world of sunless tanning. I have tried sooo many different sunless tanners and I have finally found the most perfect one ever! I will give you my reviews on each one below.
1. Jergens Natural Glow ( Drugstore, Target etc…) **
I think that Jergens was one of the first gradual tanners on the market. This used to be staple that I would keep in my bathroom and use all the time but honestly having to wait 5 days for a tan wasn't my favorite thing to do and the smell of it is quite strong and I just dont feel the over all look was worth the wait to begin with.
I give it 2 stars for not turning me orange.
2. Neutrogena Fine Mist ( Drugstore, Target, etc) *
This one is more instant/overnight. I used to spray this one and then sleep on it and the next day I would be tan. It will make your sheets/pillowcase orange brown so not a good look on our nice 1000 thread count wedding present sheets!!! I also think it can make you look a little orangey. One summer in Charleston I think I was a lil oompa loompaish espcially hands and feet! However I did like to spray this one on my face to get color. My face is usually a good 3-4 shades lighter than my skin because I keep it very protected! I give it one star for making me look like a character from Willy Wonka ;)3. Victorias Secret Beach Sexy Tanner ( Victoria Secret) ***
I actually liked this one for a long time. One huge problem was they only sell it during summer months! Hello, I need a little color more in the winter than anytime! This one works pretty good but the other problem was the smell is a little strong and the formula changes a lot from year to year. This one was better than drugstore brand and the color would turn out pretty sometimes but still not my favorite. I give it three stars!
4. Nivea Sun Kissed Firming Moisturizer **
This one is a lot like Jergens but I do feel the color is a little bit better. I wear Nivea lotion every day so this was a good one for me to use in addition. It is the same concept that it is gradual, however I do think the color came a little bit faster than Jergens. I would compare to the Victoria Secret color wise. It still wasn't the end all for self tanners. It says it firms too but I feel you can only firm by hitting the gym, haha. I feel that these type of lotions can only get you so tan. I give it 2 stars.
5. Mystic Tan ( local tanning bed) ****
This one you cant do at home but its where you go to a tanning bed and you are spray tanned inside a booth. They have 3 different colors ( 1-3) This was my absolute favorite thing to do to get tanned. I would go the night before a big event and sleep on it and the next day I would have a perfect tan no spf required! The other ones above I felt were just fillers never giving me as good of color as a mystic tan. Suggestions for Mystic is when you put the lotion on feet and hands (barrier lotion) I literally cover my hands and feet and make sure it looks like I have gloves and socks on. Negatives from Spray Tan is that you have to go tanning bed to get it done, you have to wait like 6 hours before showering and it is very expensive ( level 3 is $30 a session). My tan lasts about a week so that is a big negative for me as well. However to this point it has been my go to for special occasions. I give it 4 stars ****Drum Roll Please…..
THE BEST SELF TANNER I HAVE EVER USED!
6. DIANA B. 60 SECOND MIRACLE TAN *****
My best friend Stetson aka biz buddy walked into the store super tan and I was whoa you look great! (She normally has beautiul porcelain doll skin) The color was so good on her and she told me she was able to get tan in 60 seconds! We went on a trip together that weekend and I tried this "miracle tan" and it was the most gorgeous tan I had ever seen! I was hooked so I had to go online and order my own miracle tan. Here is how it works you take a shower as normal ( exfoliate, shave etc…) you then put on a pair of gloves provided move out of shower stream and pump 10 pumps into hands and lather over top half of body then 10 more pumps for lower half and you wait 60 seconds ( I continue to blend everywhere while waiting) It is a dark chocolate color so you can see everywhere it goes. Then you step back into shower stream and wash off and then when you step out of shower you have a gorgeous new tan!!! Did I add that it smells like chocolate with no stinky tan smell???? This is so amazing and diy! This stuff is amazing and I have finally found the best self tanner out on the market and it works on every skin type which is what is so amazing about it. So where to buy?? As a boutique owner my next step was to get it in our store, so I am so excited to say that we have Diana B 60 Second Miracle Tan available at Thad and Louise Boutique. So come get your own bottle of miracle tan today! We also ship if needed~
Stetson and I at Charleston Fashion Week 2012 with our Diana B. Tans!
Hope you enjoyed my reviews of self tanners and I hope it helps you too!
GFFB,
Christy
