Sunless Tanning Help...

The biggest question I get asked during the spring heading into summer season is, how do I get the perfect tan without being in the sun?

There is a pretty easy answer to this.  Sunless tanners!  But beware....because there are a few pitfalls a lot of women fall into (and a few men).

You can get a sunless tan a few different ways.  The first is, you can go to a tanning salon or a spa and have them spray you down or put you in a machine that does it for you.  You will get better results with a technician actually spraying you, than a machine doing it.  A tech can see where they missed and correct the mistake.  The second pitfall you make with a machine is, you usually get a more orange based tan.  Not always, but most of the time.

Always talk to your tech about the realistic color you are hoping to achieve.  And keep in mind, if you are a  pale redhead you will not look good going very dark.  You will look unnatural and kinda scary.  Think of the tanning mom.  Yeah...that scary!  Also make sure you follow any instructions the tech gives you.  It is a pain in the ass sure, but you gotta exfoliate your entire body!  Especially places like your knees, elbows, and ankles.  This is the biggest giveaway to sunless tans.  It's where all the color collects and it looks disgusting.

Make sure you moisturize after you exfoliate.  Color can go on darker in spots if you are drier in that area.  And remember one more thing, regardless of how you get your sunless tan, it will only last a week or two.  You exfoliate your body when you shower (hopefully) and so that wears down the color because you are removing the top layer of your epidermis when you exfoliate.  Sunless tanners are superficial.  They won't last.

Now there is another way to get that perfect sunless tan glow.  You can make a over the counter purchase and get a lotion or spray version that you can do at home.  I will list some of the best ones in different price brackets for you below.  Some pitfalls to avoid here?  The same ones as above.  One you need to maintain your body, exfoliate & moisturize.  Two you need to pick the right color shade.  In doubt, go light.  And a third one you might not think about is, if you are using a lotion tanner  you need to wash your hand immediately or use vinyl gloves to apply the color.  Even if it looks like a lotion you will still see your palms turn dark and your knuckles will look ridiculous.  Sometimes like they are dirty, or like you ate too many Cheetos out of the bag.


Best selfless tanners on the market imo:

Hampton Sun Sunless Tanning Gel ( I LOVE THIS STUFF)  http://www.sephora.com/sunless-tanning-gel-P234458

Norvell One Hour Rapid ONE Sunless Mist  http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2259140&productId=xlsImpprod5310211&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat90022

Bare Minerals Faux Tan Body Sunless Tanner  http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2257838&productId=xlsImpprod5160181&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat960001%20cat90022

Neutrogena Build-A-Tan Gradual Sunless Tanning  http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2094061&productId=prod2094061&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat90022

Those should get you started.  One last thing, make sure you pick up a different self tanner for your face if you don't want to use makeup.  Or you will look crazy...lol

~B~