For most of us, summer still means 8+ hours in an office and, last time we checked, it isn’t possible to get a rich golden tan from the fluorescent lighting above a cubicle. Yet, when the weekend comes around, the sundresses, tanks, and short shorts hanging in the closet just beg to be worn. What’s a pale girl to do?
Luckily, getting a faux glow is easier and more natural-looking than ever. Follow these tips to get a beachy look without any help from the sun.
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Step 1: Exfoliate Your Skin.
Self-tanner sinks into dry skin. The smoother, more moisturized your skin is from the start, the less likely you’ll have dark patches that look unnatural and disgusting. Use a course body scrub, paying particularly close attention to where the skin is thicker such as around elbows, knees, and ankles. Before applying tanner on your face, use a cleanser with glycolic or salicylic acid (both help to remove dead skin).
Step 2: Be Sure Your Skin is Completely Dry
Unlike regular moisturizers that often work better when applied to wet skin, self-tanner needs to be applied to completely dry skin. After your shower, towel off, brush your teeth, or do your hair to pass the time as your body totally dries.
Step 3: Moisturize
Some self-tanners contain moisturizers, but you’ll want to add extra moisturizer to those rough skin patches we mentioned earlier. Give your elbows, knees, and ankles a bit of lightweight moisturizer to avoid them from turning orange.
Step 4: Self-Tanner Options
Self-tanner comes in lotion, spray, or foam. All of them are fairly simple to apply, so choose one that works best for you. Prices of self-tanner range from $6.99 to up to $100 per bottle. A few organic ones that you may want to try are True Natural: All Natural Self-Tanner Face and Body, Nature’s Gate Sunless Tanner, and Famous Dave’s Fair Skin and Face Self-Tanner.
Step 5: Start from the Bottom and Work Your Way Up
One of the reasons self-tanner can look streaky and uneven is because it is often applied without a technique. Starting from your ankles and working your way up to your face helps to eliminate unnecessary creasing. It can be tempting to go heavy on your face, but go lighter to keep it looking very natural.
Step 6: Let it Dry & Finish with Powder
Let the self-tanner dry for at least 5 minutes before getting dressed. To be sure self-tanner doesn’t transfer to your clothing, finish with a thin layer of talc or baby powder.
Depending on how much you sweat or shower and how dark of a tan you want, you should reapply self-tanner every other day. It will fade like a regular tan, so your color should continue to look natural for as long as you apply regularly.
With these tips, you’ll be sun-kissed and soaking in the rays in no time!
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Want to show off those newly bronzed stems of yours? Find out how to create your very own DIY Denim Shorts!
Featured Image: ZoomWalls
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