When I was younger, I would tan outside for hours at a time. Now that I am wiser however, I am only a fan of a golden tan, not so much the sun’s damaging UV rays. When searching for a self-tanner, my main issue is that I’m pretty fair to begin with, so many formulas tend to go orange on me.
Throughout the years, I’ve tried some great at home tanning products, but when I tried St. Tropez I was forever converted into tan heaven.
I first discovered St.Tropez when I noticed some of my clients sporting a glorious glow. Mark my words, almost every time I said, “wow! Great tan! Where did you go?” The response was, “I didn’t. It’s St.Tropez.”
I was hooked. I found a great website where I can order the entire St. Tropez line . I placed an order for the Body Polish, the Bronzing Lotion and the Mousse. There is also a gradual tanner (think Jergens, but way better) and a spray available.
I jumped in the shower and used the body polish to exfoliate my skin. After drying myself, I used a little body lotion on my knees, ankles and elbows to prevent dark patches. My initial pump (love the pump; less mess) was slightly scary – the lotion is coloured!! But I went ahead and spread it evenly from body part to body part, starting with my legs and working up to my face. I learned to rely on the coloured lotion as an application guideline and I’ve never gone streaky. The colour also gives you an instant bronze colour which gradually develops over the next eight hours.
The final result? A beautiful, even golden brown tan. No orange. No streaking. Perfect depth – not too light, or too dark. And it fades naturally.
Looks like you just got back from a beach vacation! Fabulous.
XO,
Lori
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A FLAWLESS TAN
Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer
Gradually adds a natural tan while firming and moisturizing skin at the same time. After a week, our winter paleness was gone and our skin was smoother!
$9.99
www.ulta.com
St.Tropez Self Tan Dark Bronzing Spray
*Two Chicks FAVE
St.Tropez tanning products are the platinum standard of self tanners! The best tan in a bottle. Hands down. It comes in various easy-to-use formulas but we love that the spray gets hard to reach places, dries quickly and delivers an even coat of ultra tan everywhere.
$49.50
Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder
This multi shade bronzer creates a gorgeous natural glow that lasts all day. Comes in perfect shades for ‘Blondes’ and ‘Brunettes.’
$57.00
www.sephora.com
True Blue Spa Fresh Foaming Body Wash
Exfoliating Loofah
Gently exfoliates and gets skin squeaky clean. For extra smooth skin, use with a body scrub.
$2.49
www.ulta.com
SELF TAN GONE WRONG?
There is nothing better than having a natural-looking tan to help you feel your best during the long winter months. The downside is our skin tends to be paler and drier in the colder seasons, making self-tanning mistakes more noticeable. Whether you have a holiday party or a vacation coming up, taking a little time to give your skin a gorgeous glow has never been easier. Follow our tips on how to prep your skin and avoid the dreaded streaky tan.
TWO CHICKS TIP: Make sure to pick a self-tan formula that is right for your skin tone. As we tend to be paler in the winter, try to keep the colour lighter so that it is less noticeable and more natural. You can always apply another layer for intensity.
Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate!
Winter can leave most of us with dry, rough skin which causes blotchiness. This is why exfoliating your skin prior to a faux tanner is THE most important step and ensures a smooth application. You can use a scrub, a loofah or an exfoliating glove in the shower to get rid of dead skin cells and leave your skin silky soft. Avoid shaving or exfoliating the day of application as this could cause skin irritation. Instead, scrub and moisturize the night before. This way your moisturizer has time to properly absorb into your skin and won’t interfere with the development of your self-tanner.
*If you are on a time crunch, exfoliate in the shower and rinse everything off with a body wash to avoid any leftover residue. Apply a little moisturizer to your driest areas only (elbows, knees, ankles) and proceed with tanner.
It’s all in the application…
Using a glove to apply self tanner (like the one pictured from St. Tropez) ensures a smooth and even application with no streaking. Simply put on your glove, squirt some self-tanner in it and apply tanner in broad strokes, starting with your legs, torso, then arms. The great thing about the self-tan glove (besides the streak free tan!) is that there is almost no mess. You never get product on your hands and avoid those unforgiving orange palms. After your application, wash your glove with soap and leave to dry completely before your next application.
*If you do not have a self-tanning glove and choose to apply tanner with your bare hands, make sure to wash thoroughly after each body part.
Oops…made a mistake?
You’ve scrubbed, showered, neatly applied your tanner but fast forward six hours and you discover a streak or your hands are darker. What do you do?? Lemon is a natural bleaching agent and a great exfoliant. Simply squeeze some lemon juice in a bowl, apply to a cotton pad and scrub away your blotches. For those stubborn streaks, mix one part lemon juice and one part baking soda until the mix is a paste. Then hop in the shower and exfoliate the uneven areas only.
* Once your tan has fully developed, you can rinse and apply body lotion or cream. Keeping your skin moist will prolong your tan.
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