Hello fellow pasties. I say that with all the love in the world of course 😊
It’s finally summer time, so that means short skirts, tank tops and bikinis! I love love love the summer months, maybe even more than the winter. I’ve been using self-tanner for years. Since I was in elementary school. I remember the first time I tried it I turned my entire body orange and I had to stay home from school. I sort of wish that was a joke… I’ve only gotten a real spray tan in a tanning salon once before – and honestly, at home self-tanner is just as good (if not better). At home self-tanner can last if a professional spray tan if you take care of your skin before and after the application.
Three reasons I love being tanned:
- I feel skinner
- I look like a goddess
- I am more confident
The Self-Tanner Mitt I like to use
The Perfect Self-Tanner Starter Kit
How to Apply Self Tanner
Shower + Exfoliate – use all your favorite soaps and your strongest luffa. You want to get off any dead skin and shave or wax beforehand.
Lotion – after your shower / right before you apply the tanner apply lotion to your whole body. The lotion will help the tanner soak into your skin and will prevent any streaks.
Apply tanner to the mitt – I like to use a foam self-tanner. I find that it goes on more even and is easier to spread.
Apply to your body – Be careful around the skin that tends to get darkest quickly (knees, elbows, palms of hands, bottom of feet). If you over apply in these areas, chances are that they will end up looking like a dark brown circle – and we don’t want that. To be a perfectly bronzed goddess, apply it to the main parts of the skin first. When you rub it in the last time, that’s when you want to cover those sections, to create a seamless tan.
Tips for Making Your Self Tan Last for Weeks:
Self-tan typically lasts for about a week, but I have some easy tricks that keep my self tan lasting for weeks and weeks.
Step 1: let it dry
Give the self-tan enough time to dry. Typically, this can be about 12-24 hours. So, before that window, it’s best to keep your skin dry. Try not to wash your hands or get your body wet to avoid streaking.
Step 2: use lotion
Use lotion every day. This will help remove the streaks (if any have been made). The self-tanner will stick better to moisturized skin.
Step 3: stay dry
As terrible as this sounds, try not to get wet. If you can avoid swimming pools and beaches. Water washes away your tan slowly, especially if the water is hot. When you shower while you have your tan on, use a gentle soap and wash cloth to not strip the tan off.
I also love the hilarious self-tanning fails. Before my first date with Brandon I wanted to be tanned. So, I used a new self-tanner (it came as a clear liquid – so weird). I ended up getting it EVERYWHERE and turning my hand completely orange – like no disguising it. So, while we were walking he asked me, what happened to your hands. My response? Oh, I volunteer at a sick kid’s hospital and they got stained from the paint. For about a year I let him think that we had this amazing thing in common and that we both loved to volunteer and help kids, until I finally broke it to him. Now he always makes fun of me any time I spray tan…
How to Get Self-Tanner off Quickly:
What you’ll need
- Lemon juice
- Dawn dish soap
- Exfoliating luffa
What to do
In the shower, mix the dish soap and lemon juice on a glove. Gently scrub your body until the tan starts to fade. You will know if it is coming off because you will see the water turning brown as you rinse it from your body. If it doesn’t all come off the first time, try again until it all comes off. Apply lots of lotion or body oil after your shower to avoid having your skin dry out. The lemon juice and dish soap dry out your skin to the max.
Let me know in the comments below your worst self-tanner experience!
