Self Tanning Tips & Tricks

Hello, all! For those who don't know me too well, you might think my tan skin comes from my olive-skinned mother & loads of free time. For those who know me very well, you know self-tanning is my best friend.
Now since prom season is here, graduation is around the corner, and summer is on its way, I thought I'd post some tips and tricks on getting great color in the comfort of your own home!

SPRAY TANNING
I used to go get spray tanned by a machine, but it never turned out even. So I turned to Neutrogena "MicroMist Airbrush Sunless Tan." (Bath & Body Works also has a great spray tan named "All Angle Airbush Tan." I love both!) This spray doesn't leave any streaks and doesn't leave your skin feeling sticky. Heres my routine for using this spray:
1. If I have an event on a Friday, I'll start my routine on a Thursday. Thursday morning (or Wednesday night), I'll hop in the shower and EXFOLIATE! Ulta has some great options that are reasonably priced. I'll exfoliate my entire body, shave what needs shaving, then fish by scrubbing my body with a loofah. This is going to get all of the dead skin off so your tan sticks well!
2. Once you're out of the shower and all dried off, go ahead and stand on a towel and grab your can of tan! Standing on a towel is key; the excess spray will go on your floor and leave the bottoms of your feet orange if you don't stand on a towel. Go ahead and spray what needs to be sprayed, but be careful around your knees, elbows, and armpits!
3. After about half an hour, go ahead and spray yourself down again.
4. After waiting for about another half hour, moisturize! I recommend the Hemp body lotion (found at Sally's!).

So you're done tanning! Until your event passes or your tan is fading, don't use a loofah! It's okay to shower, just use a gentle soap bar. On the morning before your event, spray yourself down one more time.

TANNING LOTION
**Repeat step one, but start a day earlier. I recommend using Jergen's "Natural Glow: 3 Days To Glow" Moisturizer.
2. After drying off from your shower, apply a generous amount to your entire body, except your face. This lotion is going to give you an amazing result, but you have to be careful. Make sure you rub it in completely & cover your entire body. It's going to give you an instant tan, so it will be obvious if you missed a spot. Again, be sparse around your knees, elbows, and armpits!
(If you feel you need your face to be tanned, use a spray or the Jergen's "Natural Glow" face moisturizer.)
3. After about 15-20 minutes, go ahead and apply a plain moisturizer if needed. If not, continue with your day.

And you're done with day one! For the next few days, repeat the same routine, but only shower with a soap bar so you don't scrub off your tan!


If your looking for more of a glow, I'd go with the spray. If you need to be darker, I'd go with this 3-day moisturizer. And as always, wash your hands generously after self tanning!
Hope this helps & happy tanning!