Because El Hub and I are Hawaii-bound in a couple weeks, I busted out the old swimsuit last night and somehow managed to shimmy into it without bursting too many seams (*whew*!).
Of course, I couldn’t resist checking out my bum in the mirror (yes, it was still there)…
And that’s when I noticed just how pale my thighs have gotten. We’re talking five shades lighter than the rest of me.
It gave me an idea.
As someone with a built-in tan, I’ve never had a reason to venture into the world of self-tanners … until now. I’d like to smooth out my skin tone and make everything a similar shade, so I put together some research to aid my cause.
Self-Tanning Resources
- Is Sunless Tanning a Safe Alternative to Sunbathing? This article from the Mayo Clinic offers a good overview of self-tanning, what it is and isn’t, and what to expect.
- Sunless Tanning, Step-By-Step: This thorough tutorial covers all the basics from start to finish.
- How To Remove Self-Tanner Streaks: If things go awry and you end up with tiger stripes, don’t panic! This blog entry describes a solution.
- Which Self-Tanners Work Best? Here’s a handy rundown of 12 popular self-tanners and bronzers.
- How Does Self-Tanning Work? Ever wonder how self-tanners work? Here’s an article that breaks down the science behind ’em.
5 Self-Tanning Tips
- Shave your legs the day before you self-tan. It will exfoliate the top layer of skin, leaving a healthy new layer ready to tan.
- Exfoliate with a soft cotton washcloth before applying a self-tanning lotion, as rougher nylon and loofah scrubbers can cause streaks.
- If you’re new to self-tanning, skip the sprays. They can be difficult to apply evenly.
- To prevent orange staining of your palms, fingers and fingernails, scrub them with a soapy nail brush (or a Wet Ones wipe) every 5 minutes while you’re self-tanning.
- If you’re using self-tanner on your legs, don’t forget to include your ankles and the tops of your feet. 🙂
Jergens Natural Glow Express
Jergens Natural Glow Express ($9) is a favorite among beauty bloggers and magazine editors for its natural tan. It’s supposed to be easy to use, available at drugstores nationwide, and I like the price point, too.
I’m betting a few of you gals are seasoned self-tanners. Do you have any tips?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
