Be honest, there is something undeniably satisfying about having a tan. It's like a golden badge of honor, a signal to the world that you've been soaking up the sun and living your best life. But what if you don't have the time or the means to jet off to a tropical paradise? Enter self tanners, the quirky little potions that can give you that sun-kissed glow without the harmful UV rays. In this blog post, we'll dive into the world of self tanners and explore the unique joys they bring.
Why bother with self tanners?
First things first, why should you bother with self tanners? Well, aside from the obvious benefit of looking like a bronzed goddess (or god), self tanners offer a whole host of other perks. For one, they can help even out your skin tone, giving you a more polished and put-together look. They can also help camouflage imperfections like scars, stretch marks, and cellulite, giving you a confidence boost that's worth its weight in gold (or bronze, in this case).
The art of application
Now, let's talk about the art of applying self tanners. It's a delicate dance, a tango between you and your tanning mitt. First, you'll want to exfoliate your skin to create a smooth canvas. Then, it's time to get down to business. Start with a small amount of self tanner and work your way up, blending it in with circular motions. Remember, less is more. You can always add more later, but it's much harder to take it off once it's on (trust us, we've learned this the hard way).
The waiting game
Once you've applied your self tanner, it's time to play the waiting game. This is where the real fun begins. You'll want to avoid any activities that might cause you to sweat or get wet (sorry, no impromptu dance parties or surprise water balloon fights). Instead, find a cozy spot to relax and let the self tanner work its magic. It's like waiting for a cake to bake, except instead of a delicious treat, you'll be rewarded with a gorgeous tan. I love to do it at night and after it's to the touch dry off to lala land and dreaming of my beautiful glow when I wake up.
The big reveal
Finally, the moment of truth arrives: the big reveal. After a few hours (or overnight, if you're using a gradual self tanner), it's time to rinse off the excess product and unveil your new tan. This is the moment when all your hard work pays off, when you can bask in the glory of your sun-kissed skin. It's like unwrapping a present, except instead of a pair of socks from Aunt Mildred, you get a radiant glow that would make the sun itself jealous.
Embrace the quirks
Of course, self tanners aren't without their quirks. There's the unmistakable smell (some might call it the scent of summer, while others might compare it to a bag of stale potato chips). There's the risk of streaks and patches if you don't apply it just right (hello, zebra chic). And let's not forget the dreaded orange palms that can make you look like you've been snacking on Cheetos all day. But hey, life is full of quirks, and self tanners are no exception. Embrace the imperfections and have a laugh along the way.
TROUBLESHOOTING SECRET
To get yourself out of the dreaded discolored palms I recommend this amazing glove. I call it my little black eraser, this is also great for exfoliating before your first tan as well as when you want to take it all off and start fresh. You can get it at Amazon.
Please Note: As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
So, whether you're looking to channel your inner beach babe or just want a little boost of confidence, self tanners are here to help. They may not be the real deal, but they sure know how to fake it 'til you make it. So go ahead, get your glow on and let your inner sun goddess shine.
Recommended Products
I have two products that I really love.
St. Tropez Self Tan Express
This on is great and I use more often because it gives you an immediate very dark tan right away. It has options that you can shower after one hour for light tan, shower after two hours for a darker tan and leave on the full three hours for a deeper tan. If I'm being honest, and it's my blog so I can. I just sleep in it. Yes, I sleep in it for eight hours and wash it off. This is NOT the recommended way but I tried it and it works for me. This is not one that you can do day after day to build a darker tan. After the second or third you definitely look a funny color. If you wait a week, you can definitely reapply.
Below is a video of me doing it properly by only leaving it on for three hours and my results.
https://youtu.be/mYfUs8cdrB8?si=2KIXwTLZuvkv_XDp
You can find this at many drug stores but if you are an Amazon shopper please use the link below. Don't forget to grab yourself an application mitt to apply the foam more easily.
https://amzn.to/3w5OZpr
Please note: As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
The other is Sunright Instaglow
I use this one A LOT. When I was diagnosed with skin cancer the thought of going on a cruise and not being tan was heartbreaking. If you are a true tan lover you will understand. This amazing tanner is the PERFECT build your own tan. I would apply it every day and I could go about my business and it never got on my clothes. What this means is I could go explore and all the time I was, I was getting tanner and tanner. I didn't have to lay in the hot sun, I could actually explore the islands. Once it was dry it was not coming off, not on my clothes or anything. Now don't get me wrong I couldn't put it on and go swimming but I'm not supposed to be in the sun so I was good with it. There is no awful smell that you cannot wait to rinse off. Below are my legs when using the product.
You can find this one at the link below.
Please note: I am a distributor for NuSkin and I earn from qualifying purchases.