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We would all love to look like the above picture right? Well, I don’t know why it is, but being tan just looks better, maybe because it hides all the flaws. Don’t get me wrong, I do think some people can pull off the pale look, and actually look drop dead gorgeous! For example, Nicole Kidman with her flawless porcelain skin, NOT FAIR!
Back in high school I went tanning like every week and spent countless hours baking in the sun come summer time. All because I wanted to have the sun kissed look year round. I learned all about skin cancer in junior high and was also aware that sun tanning would cause wrinkles sooner than I would like, I was extremely smart.
I remember just thinking, it’s not a big deal, of course I wouldn’t get skin cancer, and WRINKLES? pfff, I’m sure there will be some miracle treatment when I get older.
Well, the reality is, YES, there are a TON of miracle treatments, or so they say, that cost a FORTUNE!!! Not to mention EXTREMELY painful! I’ve had multiple laser treatments on my face, trying to turn back time and erase all the damage caused by the sun. AND now that I’m pushing 30, I’m noticing fine lines that are beginning to form around my mouth and forehead. NOT happy about this but it’s my own dang fault. Now I’m just caking on the SPF hoping to prevent any further damage.
Botox is always an option, but not so sure I want to venture down that road…….yet.
So, I’ve been forced to use the alternative tanning method. SPRAY TAN!!!
I’ve tried so many different sunless tanners and have found that the self tanning products have come a long way since I first started using them about 8 years ago. We all remember the beautiful orange color those earlier products left behind.
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Need I say more???
Today I’d like to share with you a few different options to get the more natural SUN KISSED look. Remember, LESS IS MORE 🙂
Option number one: Getting an air brush tan, having someone actually spray on high quality self tanner. This is probably the best way to go, to get the most even looking tan, but of course can be time consuming as well as expensive. Like I mentioned in last weeks post, my friend Jessica is offering airbrush tans for only $18. Just click on her name to contact her on facebook, or email me if you’d like her number to make an appt.
- Option number two: Going to the tanning salon and having a machine spray you down. This is a great option, very quick, but can also be expensive, up to $30 per visit. Golden Tan is now offering a great deal on their Versa Spa spray tans, $80 a month for unlimited spray tanning. I know, it’s still kind of expensive, but if you want to maintain this kind of tan, you’ll want to go in about every 6 or 7 days.
■ Fast: Get tan in 2 minutes■ Comfortable: Heated spray makes for a comfortable experience, with warm air blow-dry after every treatment.■ Mist-free: EZ-2BREATH technology makes for a completely mist-free treatment.
- Option number three: Do it yourself. I have been using this SalonBronze at home air brush tanning. It works pretty well, just can be a little tricky trying to apply it yourself. It’s also very messy. So the best way to apply would be in the shower, and have someone else spray it on so you can get it even. Don’t spray too close, and use a blow dryer immediately afterwards to dry. You can find it for $25 on Amazon (click on name above), or you can get it at Sally’s Beauty Supply.
- Option number four: Tantowels I have found these to be VERY easy to use costing about $1.50 per towel. Just wear rubber gloves to keep your hands from turning brown. Applying the self tanner with the towel just seems to work very well because it’s just like rubbing a thick wet wipe all over your body making it easy to prevent any streaks.
- Option number five: Last but not least, if you break out easily, you’ll want to use Taunt and Tan. I get it from my esthetician, it’s oil free, specifically made for acne prone skin. Price $38.95, but lasts FOREVER!
Now if we could just make all this self tanner SMELL better then we’d be set 🙂
Don’t forget to enter my giveaway!!! One more week for your chance to win the white purse.
Wow. I never knew there were so many options!
Amazing. I just don't dare. It might make my farmer's tan look more obvious 🙂
now I am feeling white! I just looked at my legs and went yikes! Being in Arizona there isn't any way around the sun unless I become a hermit so I may just be depending on botox in my 40s! haha!
I have a great tanning lotion that I love but I don't love the smell, its from Beauticontrol. Love that you listed so many!!!
Hope you having a good day so far!
Thanks for sharing…I am not sure I can pull of pale like Nicole Kiddman but I certainly try …I like to keep it pasty and pale…but I may just have to try something like this ..
I love being tan, but I do it the unhealthy way, out in the sun. Might have to look into some other options!
I am definitely in the needing some sun category, even though I live in Southern CA I just have always been very fair. I have tried some of the bottle kinds, I didn't realize there were so many different options, crazy.
I too used to tan all the time! In fact in College I worked at tanning salons for years and would go 5-6 days a week. Everyone always told me I was too dark but I loved it anyways. I miss it but I have stayed away from tanning salons for quite a while now. I have known too many people who have gotten skin cancer. I am all about tanning lotion I just hate the way it smells when I do wear it-LOL!
Thanks for all the hints about alternatives to the tanning beds. Yes, I agree there is something about the tan look.
I use Aveeno's self tanner and I adore it! That reminds me…I need to bust it out again!
What a fun and fascinating post! I need to get a little sun-kissed myself…probably going to get some sunshine this summer while gardening. 😉
LOL right before I read your post I had applied a self tanner to my legs since it's going to be almost 80 tomorrow here in Utah. I just recently did the spray on stuff at a tanning salon I got a buy one get one free deal. But I did not love it, it streaked in some places. I have sun damage also on my face from allll the years of sun tanning!!! I grew up in Southern. Calif. if that tells you anything! I was never not tan!!!! I have used a self tanner from Mary Kay before and really liked that one. I will have to check out these others you mentioned!! 🙂 I would not mind trying botox! 🙂
I love the sun and tend to get a tan the unhealthy way. I can not imagine the mess I would make using the spray….I could be one of your funny pictures…
I really want to try that self spray tan – that would be awesome. We have these salons called Mystic Tan that do the full-body spray and you come out looking so good. I agree – everything looks a little better with a tan 🙂
Seems like a lot of effort to look tan! I think I'll just stay fair and freckled:)
I shun the sun. I like it, but I only like it if I'm in the shade. I like to sport an unhealthy pallor. It works for me.
i love a good spray tan! They really do a good job and look natural. And I swear they protect your skin from sun too, even though they say they don't.
Thanks for posting these options. I'm very fair skinned as is my mother and grandmother. They both always cautioned me not to go out and bake in the sun. I'm so glad I listened. I'm 45 now, but my skin still looks pretty good and I don't have age spots. However, I'm all for faking a tan!
I think that it's a cultural thing. I'm of European decent…I'm going to be white. I'm not going to tan (and hopefully others will join me) and help turn what is beautiful in our culture around. We should all feel beautiful in our natural color, whether that be pale, tan, brown, or black.
I use to live out in the sun and practically sleep in tanning beds, but since I've gotten older and would like to think wiser, I now avoid both like the plague! I don't want to look like a leather hand bag, ya know!;) My favorite method is just to apply tanning lotion. I love Faux Tan by Bare Escentuals ( I order mine through QVC) and Mystic Tan (which I purchase through Ulta).